INDONESIAN MEN'S DOUBLES LEO ROLLY CARNANDO/BAGAS MAULANA FOCUS ON UPCOMING BWF TOURNAMENTS AFTER KOREAN OPEN VICTORY
Doubles Pair Eager to Maintain Momentum at Hong Kong and China Open After Securing First Title Together
Fresh off their victory at the BWF Super 500 Korean Open, Indonesian men's doubles pair Leo Rolly Carnando and Bagas Maulana have already set their sights on future challenges. Despite their recent triumph, the duo is determined not to rest on their laurels, as they prepare for the upcoming BWF Super 500 Hong Kong Open and BWF Super 1000 China Open, both taking place this month.
Leo and Bagas, who emerged as champions on Sunday, emphasized the importance of staying focused and not getting complacent. "After this, we will focus again on facing the next matches in Hong Kong and China. Understandably, after getting off the podium, we must not think about becoming champions," Leo stated, as quoted by ANTARA.
Their win at the Korean Open marks the first title for the new pairing, following an impressive run that saw them reach the semifinals at the 2024 Japan Open just a week earlier. Both tournaments were significant milestones, not just for Leo and Bagas, but also for another Indonesian pair, Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Daniel Marthin, who also made their debut in the BWF Super 750 tournament in Japan.
Reflecting on their achievement, Leo expressed his gratitude and satisfaction. "Alhamdulillah, I can play well as desired and can appear as a champion for the first time as a new partner. Last week at the Japan Open we were stuck in the semifinals and at the Korea Open we won."
Bagas echoed these sentiments, expressing relief at finally breaking their string of near-misses. "Alhamdulillah, I am very happy to be able to win the Korea Open. Finally, we were able to break the egg after being dubbed a silver man. Today can finally become a golden man. I am very grateful to be given a win," he added.
In the final of the Korean Open, Leo and Bagas clinched the title by defeating the top-seeded South Korean pair, Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae, with a scoreline of 18-21, 21-9, 21-8. The Indonesian duo credited their victory to a critical evaluation after losing the first game, allowing them to adjust their strategy and rectify mistakes in the following games.
"In the third game, we are even more confident after winning in the second game. Moreover, Mas Bagas has a strong smash so he can cover my full from the back sector. I just have to look after the front box area," Leo explained.
Bagas also highlighted Leo's role in their success, noting how his partner's sharp performance in the front court and on serve set the stage for their attacks. "Because from the front game we were already ahead, we were able to attack. This condition made us more confident in the second and third games," Bagas said.
With their victory in Korea now behind them, Leo and Bagas are focused on maintaining their momentum and delivering strong performances in the upcoming tournaments in Hong Kong and China, continuing their rise as one of Indonesia's most promising men's doubles pairs.
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