Indonesia, China share glory in Asian tourney<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): World-class players assured Indonesia and China
\none title apiece at the US$150,000 JVC Asian Badminton
\nChampionships on Saturday.<\/p>\n
It came as no surprise that the Indonesian men's doubles
\nplayers have set up a final between them, while the men's singles
\nfinal will see an all-Chinese affair on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The veteran tandem of Bambang Suprianto and Tri Kusheryanto
\nare lined up for the title after coming through a relatively easy
\nmatch against second-string compatriots Alven Yulianto and Hendra
\nA. Gunawan, which they won 15-4, 15-9.<\/p>\n
Bambang and Tri, who rarely play as a team, will try their
\nluck when they face Sydney Olympics gold medalists Candra Wijaya
\nand Tony Gunawan, who defeated the only Chinese pair left in the
\ndraw, Chen Rui and Wang Wei, 15-4, 17-14.<\/p>\n
Tony said there was a lapse in his teamwork with Candra at the
\nend of the game that allowed the younger Chinese to claw back
\ninto the game.<\/p>\n
\"We had a 14-9 lead in the second game but the Chinese managed
\nto reverse the pressure on us when we played so hastily and were
\nprone to mistakes,\" Tony told The Jakarta Post on the phone from
\nManila.<\/p>\n
He refused to take the final lightly.<\/p>\n
\"Candra and I cannot afford to let our guard down because Mas
\nBambang and Tri are good shuttlers despite being older than us.\"<\/p>\n
\"We must not underestimate the older pair but the most
\nimportant thing is we have already secured the title. The rest is
\nup to us in the court,\" he added.<\/p>\n
In the men's singles, newcomer Lin Dan cruised to the final to
\nmeet compatriot third seed Xia Xuanze.<\/p>\n
Lin was coming from behind before posting a 3-15, 15-11, 15-7
\nvictory over Shon Seung-mo of South Korea. On the other hand, Xia
\nhad an easy 15-7, 15-8 win against Indonesian-born Indra Wijaya,
\nwho is now playing for Singapore.<\/p>\n
China and Indonesia will also lock horns in the women's
\ndoubles crown, while Indonesia has another hope in the mixed
\ndoubles.<\/p>\n
Top seeds Gao Ling and Huang Sui were too powerful when they
\noutclassed second-stringers Eny Erlangga and Novita 15-5, 15-3.<\/p>\n
Gao and Huang will be challenged by Indonesia's most seasoned
\npair of Deyana Lomban and Vita Marissa who had to work hard
\nbefore beating Zhao Tingting and Zhang Yawen of China 15-11, 11-
\n15, 15-12.<\/p>\n
Bambang has another chance of winning a title, pairing with
\nMinarti Timur to beat compatriots Tri Kusheryanto and Emma
\nErmawati 15-4, 15-11 and to set up a final with first seeds Kim
\nDong-moon and Ra Kyung-min of South Korea.<\/p>\n
Kim and Ra were forced to fight to the end before beating Tony
\nand Vita Marissa 12-15, 15-13, 15-9.<\/p>\n
\"I was too tired after playing the men's doubles semifinals
\nmatch. Besides, it's my first time to play in a mixed doubles
\nmatch,\" said Tony of his loss in the mixed doubles.<\/p>\n
\"We were able to take the first game because I was always in
\nthe front with Vita behind me, so I guess Kim and Ra were quite
\nshocked with this style. It is also my position in the men's
\ndoubles.<\/p>\n
\"But in mixed doubles, the men usually stay behind with the
\nwomen to stand near the net,\" he added.<\/p>\n
In the women's singles, top seed Wang Chen of Hong Kong fended
\noff a persistent challenge from Dong Fang of China to seal a
\nhard-earned 5-11, 11-1, 11-4 victory.<\/p>\n
In the final, Wang will play another Chinese, Zhang Ning, who
\neasily disposed of Ling Wa Ting of Hong Kong 11-2, 11-3. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-china-share-glory-in-asian-tourney-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}