Tommy's loss no sweat as Indonesia top Group A

NEW DELHI: Tommy Sugiarto lost the opening first singles but it was otherwise smooth sailing for top seeds Indonesia as they came back to beat Thailand 4-1 in their final Group A clash to check into the quarter-finals of the Thomas Cup Finals at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium. 

Tommy, the son of former Indonesian world champion Icuk Sugiarto, went down fighting 21-14, 13-21, 17-21 to Boonsak Ponsana in 66 minutes. 

However, Indonesia got back on level terms through world No. 1 pair and reigning world champions Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan  who beat Wannawat Ampunsuwan-Nipitphon Puangpuapech 21-15, 21-14.

Indonesia then went 2-1 ahead when Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka beat Suppanyu Avihingsanon 21-17, 21-19 in the second singles. 

Young Indonesian doubles pair Ryan Agung Saputra-Angga Pratama beat Maneepong Jongjit-Patiphat Chalardchalaem 21-14, 22-20 for the winning point before seasoned Thomas Cup campaigner Simon Santoso made it 4-1 with a 21-13, 21-13 win over Thammasin Sitthikom. 

Indonesia, who had earlier beaten Nigeria and Singapore by identical 5-0 margins, thus joined defending champions China as group winners.

Thailand, who beat Singapore 4-1 and Nigeria 5-0 earlier, still made the last eight as runners-up from Group A. 

The others in the quarter-finals are France, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and Denmark.

Indonesia did not reach the semi-finals at the last edition in Wuhan two years ago and are determined not to suffer a similar fate.

Indonesia brought back former Olympic champion Rexy Mainaky and singles ace Joko Suprianto to their coaching set-up and began preparations a year ago. 

“Our preparations are better compared to two years ago. We were in isolation camp for two weeks and the team spirit is strong. We’ve achieved our aim to win our group today but we’ll take it one step at a time,” said Simon.