BADMINTON

Aviva Open Singapore 2007
Tuesday, 1 May 2007 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium

Story by Coach Dick Yip. Pictures by Leslie Tan, official photographer for the Aviva Open Singapore 2007. © Red Sports/soulbreath pictures

Aaron Tan of Singapore played an intelligent, patient game against his tough Indonesian rival Tommy Sugiarto to emerge a 2-1 winner at the Aviva Open Singapore this afternoon. Tommy took the first set easily 21-11 with most of the points coming from the nervous play and numerous unforced errors by Aaron. In the first set, Tommy was cool, calm and composed as he moved Aaron around the court with a display of fast, speedy badminton, mixing sharp smashes with delicate drops and net play. He made fewer errors than 21-year-old Aaron.

Aaron Tan of Singapore in action against Tommy Sugiarto. Aaron used to play in the ‘B’ and ‘C’ Division for Anglican High School. Photo by Leslie Tan/Red Sports

The 2nd set saw a different approach by Aaron. He was more careful, patient and preferred to cut down on his errors rather than go for clear winners. Making better use of his understanding of the change of side as there probably was a slight draught moving in one direction, he went ahead  4-1 and then 8-3 with mistakes of judgement coming from Tommy as he pushed or hit too many shots long. Aaron went on to increase the lead to 11-4 before Tommy caught up to 8-11. A terrific cross-court smash by Aaron had Tommy diving full stretch in an attempt to retrieve it but he missed. This allowed Aaron to lead 12-8. A long rally showed Tommy to be very good at attacking, defending and counter-attacking again to end with a killer smash which helped him to narrow the score to 12-14. Then two missed drops gave Aaron a nice 16-12 lead. Tommy made it 13-16 with an accurate side line smash. Not to be outdone, Aaron unleashed a superb cross-court smash to lead 17-13. But two errors in a row by Aaron and Tommy crept closer to 15-17.

Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia in action against Aaron. Photo by Leslie Tan/Red Sports

A good push to the baseline by Aaron caught out Tommy and made it 18-15. A sharp net return followed by a net miss by Tommy and it was 19-15. Sensing his chance, Aaron tried another cross-court smash perfectly which left tommy stranded. 20-15, set point. In his hurry, Tommy netted the next return to give the set to Aaron 21-16. The score was now 1-1 and the stage was set for the 3rd “rubber’ set.

The 3rd set was a thriller all the way with both players taking turn to trail and to lead. It was 2-2, 5-5,10-10,12-12, 13-13. Then a lift that went out gave the lead to Tommy. Another error at the net made it 15-13 in favour of Tommy as Aaron played many low shots. The next one was lifted out by Tommy to allow Aaron to narrow the score to 14-15. Aaron then played another low net shot which Tommy lifted to half court and it was killed off by Aaron, allowing him to draw level at 15-15. Two costly net misses by Tommy gave Aaron the lead at 17-15. Another powerful smash along the sideline was called out and Aaron pulled ahead 18-15. Then it was Aaron’s turn with two net misses to allow Tommy to close the gap to17-18. Aaron executed a delayed net push to the baseline to win the next point and lead 19-17. Despite a strong attack by Aaron, Tommy somehow managed to counter-attack and left Aaron stranded. This brought Tommy to 18-19. Then a lob that was lifted way out gave Aaron game and matchpoint at 20-18. In a hurry, Aaron pushed the next shot to Tommy’s forehand and Tommy simply tapped it down to close at 19-20. Then Aaron intelligently lifted the shuttle high to the baseline where Tommy, in a moment of indecision and regret, allowed the shuttle to drop and it was clearly in. The game ended 21-19 in favour of Singapore’s Aaron Tan.

Overall Score:  Aaron Tan beat Tommy Sugiarto 11-20, 21-16, 21-19 to advance to the next round in the qualifiers.