Jabar Ekspres – Two Indonesian tennis players, Justin Barki and Muhammad Gunawan Trismuwantara, advanced to the second round of the first singles series of the Harum Energy Mens World Tennis Tour 2023.
In the first round held at The Sultan Hotel & Residence tennis court Jakarta, Wednesday, Justin eliminated Indian representative Siddhant Bhantia.
Indonesia’s second best single finished the match in one hour and seventeen minutes by winning two straight sets 6-4, 6-1.
The Princeton University graduate played efficiently in the first set even though his opponent kept pace until the third game.
Simply stealing one serve in the fourth game and defending his own ball gave him the advantage, 6-4.
“Siddhant is solid. His serve is good. His volleys are good. So, quite difficult, yes. All the games were tight. The focus at the beginning of the set was holding the serve,” Justin said in a written statement received in Jakarta, Wednesday.
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Getting to know the opponent’s style, Justin immediately scored a break in the first game of the second set. Worried about being upside down, tennis player 23 this year also varied his shots. The tactic proved successful, he won streak in the last four games, 6-1.
“I know he used to play in college in the United States. So, I think I know his game. We have to study before we play,” said Justin.
In the second round Harum Energy World Tennis on Thursday, Justin will repeat the last eight of the fourth ITF M25 Jakarta series two weeks ago. He will meet again with the second seed from Turkey, Yanki Erell.
The 380th-ranked world singles player beat home wild card recipient Renaldi Aqila Salim 6-3, 7-6(6).
In their first meeting, Justin won over the 2018 Wimbledon Junior doubles champion by turning things around in rubber sets, 5-7, 6-4, 7(2)-6.