KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s challenge in the Indonesian Open Grand Prix Gold at Yogyakarta came to an end when mixed doubles pair Ong Jian Guo-Lim Yin Loo went down fighting in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Jian Guo-Yin Loo, the world No. 37 and currently the third ranked pair in the country, fought gallantly for one hour and 14 minutes before losing 21-18, 19-21, 19-21 to Indonesians Edi Subaktiar-Gloria Emanuelle. 
With their narrow defeat Friday, Malaysia’s interest in the tournament is over.
In the absence of Malaysia in the men’s singles event, Indonesia’s top four men singles players – Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Simon Santoso, Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka and Tommy Sugiarto – lived up to their billings to check into the semi-finals.
On Saturday, seniors Sony and Simon’s position will come under threat when they take on their younger compatriots Dionysius and Tommy respectively for places in the final.
There was a major upset in the men’s doubles when reigning world champions Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan were beaten 8-21, 21-19, 21-18 by their talented younger team-mates Ronald Alexander-Selvanus Geh.
Indonesia’s move to pair up former world champion Markis Kido with youngster Gideon Markus Fernaldi proved to be a hit when they dumped China’s Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen 21-16, 21-18 to set up a meeting with Ronald-Selvanus.
