Indonesian teenager Taufik makes All England history<\/p>\n
BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters): Indonesian \"wonderkid\" Taufik
\nHidayat, 17, created a slice of badminton history on Saturday
\nwhen he became the youngest player to reach the men's singles
\nfinal at the All England championships.<\/p>\n
Taufik routed Olympic champion Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen 15-13
\n15-7 in another sensational performance after his elimination on
\nFriday of second seed Fung Permadi in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
He trailed 6-0 in the first game and 4-0 in the second but
\nsmashed his way back into contention to oust the veteran Dane,
\nnow 33 but still a formidable proposition.<\/p>\n
Taufik's opponent in Sunday's final will be world number one
\nand top seed Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark.<\/p>\n
The Dane was not unduly troubled by top-rated Indonesian Budi
\nSantoso, triumphing 15-11 15-5.<\/p>\n
Hidayat has been the revelation of the tournament and all his
\nprecocious skills were on display against Hoyer-Larsen.<\/p>\n
The youngster refused to get rattled when he trailed early on.
\nHe smashed with great ferocity but mixed it with some wicked
\ndisguise and phenomenal retrieving which had the Dane at full
\nstretch.<\/p>\n
The pair traded shot for shot from 4-4 to 7-7 in the second
\ngame but suddenly the Indonesian took control, reeling off the
\nlast eight points to claim his final place.<\/p>\n
Although little-known, Hidayat was seeded joint ninth on the
\nstrength of some encouraging performances in the last eight
\nmonths which include a victory over Dong Jiong of China and
\ntaking Gade, Sunday's rival, to three games.<\/p>\n
The teenager said: \"The All England has got to be my most
\nimportant target. I am very proud to be in the final here.\"<\/p>\n
Taufik had apparently reacted to local press comment
\nsuggesting he is too young at present for the big time. He
\ninsisted: \"Age does not matter.\"<\/p>\n
Hoyer-Larsen said: \"He is a good player. I knew it would be
\ndifficult but I did fancy my chances.\"<\/p>\n
The Dane had a tough quarter-final tussle with compatriot
\nThomas Stuer-Lauridsen on Friday and acknowledged: \"I didn't have
\nthe power in my legs after yesterday's game to make him run round
\nthe court.\"<\/p>\n
Semifinals results (prefix denotes seeding):<\/p>\n
Men's singles: 1-Peter Gade Christensen (Den) bt 3\/4-Budi Santoso (Ina)
\n15-11 15-5; 9\/16-Taufik Hidayat (Ina) bt 3\/4-Poul Erik Hoyer-Larsen
\n(Den) 15-13 15-7<\/p>",
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