China poses early tests to Indonesia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Young Chinese players will give Indonesian men's
\nsingles top seeds early tests when they clash in the first round
\nof the China Open badminton championships in Chengdu today.<\/p>\n
Indonesian top seed Joko Suprianto plays Lin Liwen, second
\nseed Alan Budikusuma faces Xie Yangchun and third seed Ardy
\nWiranata takes on Yang Zhuo.<\/p>\n
Joko, ranked second in the world, is poised to continue his
\nwinning streak after his triumph in the World Cup in September
\nand in the German Open last month.<\/p>\n
Former world champion Joko is expected to meet China's
\nSudirman Cup hero Sun Jun or Malaysia's number one Rashid Sidek
\nin Friday's quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
Alan took only a three-day rest after the Hong Kong Open
\nbefore making his title defense attempt in China. Alan lost to
\nworld champion and compatriot Heriyanto Arbi in Hong Kong's final
\non Sunday.<\/p>\n
In the women's singles, top seed Susi Susanti will start her
\ncampaign against a qualifier today. Susi is seeking revenge for
\nher three successive defeats to her Chinese arch-rival Ye
\nZhaoying.<\/p>\n
Susi and Ye, however, look to face a daunting challenge on
\ntheir way to a rematch. Susi has to overcome another big nemesis,
\nBang Soo-hyun of South Korea in the semifinals. Second seed Ye is
\nexpected to set up a semifinal replay against Indonesian teenager
\nMia Audina, her conqueror in the Hong Kong Open semifinals last
\nweek.<\/p>\n
Mia, who fell in the final hurdle to Bang in Hong Kong, will
\nplay a warm-up match against a qualifier in the opening round.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is fielding a second string team of Tony Gunawan and
\nRudy Wijaya in the men's doubles. Tony and Rudy are one of three
\npairs who beat world number one Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky,
\nalso from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the International Badminton Federation released on
\nMonday the latest world grand prix rankings which saw Bang
\nleapfrog Susi. Bang now lies second behind leader Lim Xiaoqing of
\nSweden, following her triumph in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n
The men's singles list kept Heriyanto on top, thanks to his
\nSunday victory. Hermawan Susanto is second, followed by All-
\nEngland champion Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark. (amd)<\/p>",
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