Putri Kusuma Wardani's Consistency Test at the 2025 Indonesia Open

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Indonesia's women's singles player, Putri Kusuma Wardani, faces a test of consistency at the 2025 Indonesia Open tournament. Putri is not only challenged to maintain her performance when facing elite players but also when competing against athletes of the same level or lower.

Putri Kusuma Wardani advanced to the round of 16 of the 2025 Indonesia Open after winning her first match against Malvika Bansod (India) at the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Hall, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (3/6/2025). Putri is entitled to progress to the next round after Bansod decided not to continue the match due to a foot injury.

As Bansod clutched his left leg in pain, the world number 22 player from India was leading 21-16, 16-15. Bansod sustained the injury while attempting to step back after returning the shuttlecock to Putri.

Bansod briefly received medical treatment and attempted to continue the match. However, he ultimately chose to withdraw. Putri was also at a loss for words when asked about the match.

In addition to winning after her opponent's injury, Putri also expressed dissatisfaction with her performance. Moreover, when her opponent was injured, Putri was in a losing position in the first game and trailing in the second game. Putri made more mistakes and squandered points.

On the other hand, according to Putri, Bansod played tenaciously and was able to deliver speculative shots that turned out to be successful. Not only that, Bansod did not easily make mistakes. "She also limited my overhead shots. So, she rarely gave me space to attack," she said.

In fact, on paper, Putri is superior to Bansod. Their last meeting before the Indonesia Open was indeed six years ago, at the 2019 Asian Junior Championships. At that time, Putri won 22-20, 21-7. Putri herself acknowledged that the result of their previous encounter cannot be used as a benchmark.

However, looking at the performance of both throughout this year, Putri remains superior. Before the Indonesia Open, Putri managed to win 20 matches and only lost 9. Meanwhile, Bansod only won four times and suffered 11 defeats.

Not only that, Putri also succeeded in defeating elite players with more experience. In the Sudirman Cup, for instance, Putri defeated the silver medalist from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the bronze medalist from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Pusarla V Sindhu, in the second match.

Putri was also able to secure her first victory against the representative from Thailand, Pornpawee Chochuwong, after having lost in all eight previous encounters. In those eight competitions, Putri had even lost seven times in two games.

I am very enthusiastic to play again in Istora. Grateful because I couldn't play because of injury, just being a spectator. - Apriyani Rahayu -

Before competing in the Indonesia Open, Putri stated that the aspect she needs to continuously improve is consistency. Playing consistently in matches or throughout the tournament is not an easy matter.

The consistency test for Putri this time does not only come from players with higher levels and experience. The 2024 Korea Masters Super 300 champion also needs to maintain consistency when facing players of equal or lower levels, such as Bansod.

In the second round, Putri will face the representative from Thailand, Supanida Katethong. In terms of their meeting record, Katethong leads with two victories over Putri out of a total of three matches.

However, looking at this year's performance, Putri can be said to have a better appearance with a winning percentage of 70 percent (21 victories out of 30 matches). One of Putri's victories was achieved against Katethong in the first round of the All England.

Meanwhile, Katethong recorded a winning percentage of 66.67 percent. The third-place finisher at the 2025 Thailand Open Super 500 has accumulated 10 victories out of 15 matches.

With those statistics, Putri's consistency will be tested once again. The 22-year-old player is determined to deliver her best performance in the second half.

"First, I definitely have to be ready, I have to be willing to get tired if I have a (tough) opponent like Bansod. I have to be able to maintain my focus and physical condition. If not, it will be the same as before," said Putri.

In the women's doubles sector, Apriyani Rahayu/Febi Setianingrum performed brilliantly by defeating the 17th-ranked pair from Taiwan, Chang Ching Hui/Yang Ching Tun, with scores of 21-16, 24-22. For Apriyani/Febi, this event marks their fourth tournament.

The newly paired women's doubles team in May 2025 is still learning from each other and understanding each other's characters. For instance, Febi is learning from Apriyani to be more expressive on the court.

"I was surprised by Apri's firm style when he told me, but now I'm used to it," said Febi.

Meanwhile, Apriyani is still learning to communicate with Febi. Apriyani is also still in the adjustment stage with her new partner's character.

Before being paired with Febi, Apriyani played alongside Siti Fadia. However, Apriyani was absent after competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Fadia then partnered with Lanny Tria Mayasari.

During her comeback in March 2025, Apriyani paired up with Fadia again. They appeared at the Orleans Masters and All England before finally being separated again.

The match against Chang Ching Hui/Yang Ching Tun marked the first appearance of Apriyani alongside Febi at the Indonesia Open. Moreover, the match also signified Apriyani's return to Istora.

"I am very enthusiastic about playing again at Istora. I am grateful because I was unable to play due to an injury and could only be a spectator. However, I also try to stay calm and strive to perform well," said Apriyani.

In another match, the journey of another Indonesian women's doubles pair, Meilysa Trias Puspitasari/Rachel Allessya Rose, came to an end. Meilysa/Rachel had to concede to the superiority of the Taiwanese representatives, Hsieh Pei Shan/Hung En-Tzu, with a score of 14-21, 21-17, 15-21.