Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti (picture PBSI facebook)
Indonesian doubles coach Richard Mainaky believes that the threat of disciplinary action had jolted mixed doubles specialist Praveen Jordan to prove his worth.
Praveen and partner Melati Daeva Oktavianti won the mixed doubles title at the French Open defeating top seeds and defending champions Zheng Ziwei-Huang Yaqiong of China 22-24, 21-16, 21-12 in the final.
It was their second title on a trot, having also won the Danish Open last week.
“Praveen was especially motivated to show that he was capable of much better things,” said Richard.
Before making the trip to Europe, Praveen earned the wrath of the All-Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) and Richard after the 26-year-old missed a training session. He had failed to report back to the national camp in Cipayung on time after asking for time off to be with his mother.
Richard was unhappy that the shuttler did not even bother to inform him or his own doubles partner about missing the training session.
Richard was concerned with the erratic form of the pair and was hoping that intensive training sessions would steady the duo before the SEA Games.
The PBSI had left it to Richard and his assistant Nova Widianto to decide on the sanction against the player. For a moment, it looked that the shuttler may be dropped from the SEA Games squad for his indiscretion.
However, after a dressing down, Richard decided to allow Praveen and Jordan make the trip to play in Europe.
“After I had given him a stern warning letter, they seem to be more focused and consistent,” said Richard.
(Melati celebrated her 25th birthday on 26th October)
In their first event at the Denmark Open, despite being seeded sixth, the pair gunned down top seeded Ziwei-Yaqiong in the quarter-finals and second seeded Wang Li Yu-Huang Dong Ping of China in the final.
It was no flash in the pan as they repeated their fine form at the French Open, including a quarter-final win over their projected rivals at the SEA Games, Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand.
“I am proud and appreciate their performances in Denmark and France. They have shown they can give their best for the country and they will make the trip to the SEA Games,” said Richard.
Parveeen-Melati’s biggest rivals in Manila would be the higher ranked Dechapol-Sapsiree and Malaysia’s Chan Peng Soon-Go Liu Ying.
With both their rivals failing to make an impact in Europe, the Indonesians would be confident of bringing home the SEA Games gold.
Praveen had won the gold medal at the 2015 SEA Games with Debby Susanto, when the pair defeated Peng Soon- Liu Ying in the final.
Since forging their partnership last year, both Jordan and Melati had also finished runners-up in five international events – 2018 Indian Open and this year’s Japan, Australia, New Zealand as well as Indian Opens
The other mixed doubles pair for Indonesia for the SEA Games are be Rinov Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.
FINAL RESULTS FRENCH OPEN
Men’s singles: Chen Long (Chn) bt Jonatan Christie (Ina) 21-19 21-12
Men’s doubles: Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (Ina) bt Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (Ind) 21-18 21-16
Women’s singles: An Se Young (Kor) bt Carolina Marin (Esp) 16-21, 21-18, 21-5
Women’s doubles:Lee So Hee-Shin Seung Chan (Kor) bt Kim So Yeong-Kong Hee Yong (Kor) 16-21 21-19 21-12
Mixed doubles: Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti (Ina) bt Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong (Chn) 22-24, 21-16, 21-12
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