Tontowi/Liliyana Finally "Cracked the Eggs" At JCC

Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir
Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir
Indonesia Open ‐ Created by AH | WTP

Indonesia should be proud to have the mixed doubles duo, Tontowi Ahmad/ Liliyana Natsir since they both have often raised the Indonesian flag in international events.

This time, the 2016 Rio de Jenairo Olympic gold medalists are able to make all the Indonesian people proud once more after on Sunday evening, (18/6), they won the title at the BCA Indonesia Open Superseries Premier 2017.

Tontowi/Liliyana, the only Indonesia's representative in the final round this time, comes out as the champion after beating the first seeded Chinese duo, Zheng Siwei/Chen Qingchen with a convincing victory in two straight games 22-20 and 21-15.

"As we had thought yesterday, we would focus, apply the right strategy, play all out, and finally win. The title is very meaningful because we have never be the champion in our country, we cracked the 'eggs'," said Tontowi.

"We know it was not easy to face them, because they are young players and now become the mainstay of China. We have lost before, but we consider it starting from 0-0 and forget the previous meetings. The key of the game was to go through first game, and we won in the second game after previously being left behind. In that set, the opponent made many blunders and was unable to focus," said Liliyana.

This is the first title that was achieved by Tontowi/Liliyana in Indonesia Open, after in 2011 and 2012 they failed to win due to defeats from their opponents. Back then, the matches were still in Istora Senanyan.

They can be the champion in the same tournament but in a different place, which is at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) where they finally "cracked the eggs".

"It's great to win in Indonesia Open with Owi for the first time with my physical limitations I am currently having," said Liliyana