Hariyanto, Rexy and Ricky both lose narrowly in semis<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Hariyanto Arbi, seeded 12th,
\nfailed to secure Indonesia a representative in the men's singles
\nWorld Championships final after losing to 15th seeded Peter
\nRasmussen of Denmark 15-9, 9-15, 2-15 yesterday.<\/p>\n
In the men's doubles, third-seeded Ricky Subagja\/Rexy Mainaky
\nof Indonesia, the Olympic gold medalists, lost in a repeat of the
\nOlympic final 9-15, 15-2, 12-15 to Cheah Soon Kit\/Yap Kim Hock of
\nMalaysia.<\/p>\n
In the women's singles semifinals Ye Zhaoying of China had to
\nstretch before overcoming junior Wang Chen 11-5, 5-11, 11-4.<\/p>\n
As Hariyanto failed to return a Rasmussen smash from his right
\nside, lefthander Rasmussen raised his right hand to celebrate his
\nplace in today's final, which will be aired by RCTI at 8.00 p.m.
\nWest Indonesian Time.<\/p>\n
In the first game, Hariyanto, nicknamed Hari, took an 8-0 lead
\nbut Rasmussen fought back to trail 9-13 before Hari ended the
\ngame 15-9.<\/p>\n
Rasmussen, who defeated Park Sung-woo of South Korea, took
\ncontrol in the second game 7-1 before Hari fought from behind to
\nget to 6-9. But the Dane closed out the game 15-9.<\/p>\n
In the decider, Rasmussen led 8-2 before changing ends. Hari,
\nwho beat Dane Thomas Stuer Lauridsen in the quarterfinals, seemed
\npowerless and lost easily 2-15.<\/p>\n
Coach Indra Gunawan said in an interview on RCTI that Hari
\nfound it difficult to return both Rasmussen's straight and cross-
\ncourt attacks.<\/p>\n
\"Hari lost to him in front of the net and behind at the
\nbaseline. He won the first game because Peter could not
\nanticipate his speed and power. But after the Dane learned how to
\nhandle Hari, he could adapt, match and then beat Hari,\" Indra
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Hari said his feet were hurting during the long rallies
\nespecially after he fell twice. That's not the excuse for his
\nloss though. His opponent was much better.\"<\/p>\n
Rasmussen will challenge the winner between Olympic medalist
\nPoul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark, who defeated Indonesia's Joko
\nSuprianto, and China's Sun Jun, who destroyed Peter Gade
\nChristensen.<\/p>\n
China confirmed its victory in the women's singles after four
\nof its shuttlers reached the semifinals.<\/p>\n
Top seeded Ye Zhaoying, who beat junior Dai Yun Friday, was
\nplaying Wang Chen. She won easily the first game easily 11-5 but
\nwas in trouble in the second game.<\/p>\n
Wang, who defeated Olympic silver medalist Mia Audina of
\nIndonesia Friday, extend the match to a deciding games after
\nwinning the second game 11-5.<\/p>\n
Experience saved Ye, who won the All-England championships in
\nMarch, and helped her to win the deciding game 11-4.<\/p>\n
Ye will challenge the winner between second seeded Gong
\nZhichao, who defeated Indonesian Susi Susanti, and 10th seeded
\nHan Jingna, who won against compatriot Zhang Ning.<\/p>\n
Chinese mixed doubles Ge Fei\/Liu Yong, fourth seeded in the
\nchampionship, upset third seeded Jens Eriksen\/Marlene Thomsen of
\nDenmark in a tight three games 15-5, 16-17, 15-4.<\/p>\n
Ge\/Liu took this year's first title for China and claimed
\nthemselves as the best pair in the world after forming their
\npartnership in January.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's Tri Kusherjanto\/Minarti Timur took the bronze
\nafter they lost to Eriksen\/Thomsen in the semifinals.<\/p>\n
Cheah and Yap will take on the winner of top seeded Chandra
\nWijaya\/Sigit Budiarto from Indonesia and Lee Dong-soo\/Yoo Yong-
\nsung of South Korea.<\/p>\n
The International Badminton Federation has decided to stage
\nthe next world badminton championships and Sudirman Cup team
\nevent in Copenhagen in May 1999.<\/p>\n
Denmark last hosted the world championships in 1991. (yan)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hariyanto-rexy-and-ricky-both-lose-narrowly-in-semis-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }