Tontowi Ahmad (Owi)/Liliyana Natsir (Butet) defeated Zhang Nan/Li Yinhui 21-13, 22-24, 21-16 in the final round, the All Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) reported in its official website.
"We are grateful we could win today. Our opponents are not easy to beat. Zhang Nan is an experienced player," Butet said.
Butet said the key to their victory was that they could now play more calmly with greater self-confidence especially after they won a gold medal at the Olympic Games 2016 in Brazil.
Owi/Butet lost the second set after being left behind in point collection 1-5 and continuously under pressure until the score reached 15-19 against their favor. Although they were finally able to lead 20-19 their opponents could later force a deuce at 20-20 and finally won the game.
Following the lost in the second game the Indonesian pair fought hard and finally were able to win the third game 21-16.
"Actually our preparation was not maximal. We came to China with an intent of only performing the best we can," Owi said.
Their victory was the second at China Open 2016 after their fellow countrymen Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon won a champion title from the mens doubles event earlier beating their opponents from Denmark Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogense 21-18, 22-20.
Besides Kevin and Marcus, Indonesia sent three other pairs to play in the mens doubles of the tournament offering a total prize worth US$700,000. They were Angga Pratama/Ricky Karanda Suwardi, Mohammad Ahsan/Rian Agung Saputro, and Hendra Setiawan/Berry Angriawan.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
