World Champion in men’s double Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan Thursday made it through to the quarterfinals at this year’s Yonex Denmark Open with a victory against another Indonesian men’s double, Gideon Markus Fernaldi/Markis Kido, 21-17, 21-18.
In many years, Hendra Setiawan and Markis Kido weren’t opponents but partners. Back in 2008 they won the Olympic Games in Beijing together and during the years they have won several of the world’s most prestigious badminton titles, including the Danish tournament in 2008.
Therefore it wasn’t an easy match for the 29-year-old Setiawan.
- I’m happy that we won, but it’s always a bit difficult when it’s your former partner. We are still good friends, but of course I need to stay professional and fight my best”, Hendra Setiawan says.
No doubt, that he is glad in his new partnership with Ahsan Mohammad. They have already won several of Super Series-titles together and not to forget, The World Championship this summer, where they beat the Danish couple Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen.
Setiawan hopes that they are able to go all the way at this year’s Yonex Denmark Open.
“My partner (Ahsan Mohammad, red.) is still young and still has a lot of speed and power, that’s a good thing”, Setiawan says laughing.
“But me must focus step by step to go all the way”.
Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan is currently number two on the world ranking list. The Indonesian couple is first seeded at Yonex Denmark Open.
Follow Thursday's matches at Yonex Denmark Open 2013 on Badminton Denmark's webpage