All England: Jordan/Oktavianti Are Unstoppable
Thailand will have to wait for their first-ever mixed doubles title at the YONEX All England.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai carried Thailand’s hopes into the title clash on Sunday, but were blown off course by the hard-hitting Praveen Jordan and his composed partner Melati Daeva Oktavianti. The Indonesians claimed the crown in just over an hour, 21-15 17-21 21-8.
It was mostly Jordan’s show all the way. Oktavianti was efficient and offered him requisite support, but it was his blistering power and virtuosity that gave the Indonesians the ability to pick winners at will.
Jordan isn’t the most consistent of players, and so Thailand were always in with a chance if they could get the rallies going. His service faults and inconsistencies briefly surfaced in the second game, enabling the hard-working Puavaranukroh and Taerattanachai to force the decider.