Lin Falters Before Christie – Australian Open 2019
Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie stopped Malaysia Open champion Lin Dan in the quarterfinals of the CROWN GROUP Australian Open 2019 yesterday in straight games.
· BWF
The Indonesian improved his career record against Lin to 3-4 following the 21-9 24-22 result in 46 minutes, which gave him a last-four place against top seed Chou Tien Chen. Christie’s compatriot Anthony Ginting takes on Wang Tzu Wei in the other Indonesia-Chinese Taipei semifinal.
“This is the third time this year I’m making the semifinals, so I’m very happy, of course,” said Christie. “The second game was very tough. Lin Dan played very well, he’s one of the best in the world, he has experience, he has many titles. This is the second event in the Olympic race. I hope to win this tournament, but I must prepare for tomorrow first against Chou Tien Chen. I lost to him last time at the Sudirman Cup, but I will try my best.”
Indonesia had more reason to rejoice, with women’s doubles duo Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu beating world champions Mayu Matsumoto/Wakana Nagahara for the first time in four matches. The 21-19 21-18 victory handed them a semifinal against China’s Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan.