Joko survives scare as Hariyanto storms<\/p>\n
HIROSHIMA, Japan (AFP): Top seed Joko Suprianto and fellow-
\nIndonesian Hariyanto Arbi cut contrasting paths into the men's
\nsingles finals of Asian Games badminton here yesterday to stay on
\ncourse for a title clash.<\/p>\n
World number one Joko, 27, found a timely second wind to
\novercome Chinese dangerman Lin Liwen 15-2, 10-15, 15-2 in a hot
\nand humid Tsumuro Memorial Gymnasium.<\/p>\n
Joko, last year's world and Grand Prix champion, was so
\nphysically drained at the end of the encounter that he had no
\nstamina left to speak.<\/p>\n
All England champion Hariyanto, 22, seeded to meet Suprianto
\nin the final, eased past South Korean Park Sung Woo, emerging
\nwith a 15-9, 15-4 victory.<\/p>\n
Joko will play South Korean Kim Hak-kyun and Hariyanto will
\nmeet Chinese number one Dong Jiong for a place in the finals.<\/p>\n
The third-seeded Kim swept past Fumihiko Machida of Japan 15-
\n2, 15-1 before the others had even finished their first games,
\nwhile fourth seed Dong was equally awesome in disposing of
\nMalaysian Ong Ewe Hock 15-4, 15-4.<\/p>\n
Joko, who went the distance in each of the three matches he
\nplayed in the team event, had Indonesian coach Triadji worried at
\nthe end of the second game which the Chinese won after they were
\nlevel 10-10.<\/p>\n
The coach used the 10-minute interval to instruct him to slow
\nthe game down to neutralize the Chinese attack. The tactics
\nworked and Lin lost his touch and hit a stream of unforced
\nerrors.<\/p>\n
\"Joko's defense was very poor in the second game,\" Triadji
\nsaid. \"He will have to defend much better and play more slowly
\nagainst Kim tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\"I think Hariyanto will win against Dong Jiong. He has the
\ndefense to kill Dong's attacks. I am optimistic that Joko also
\nwill go through to the final.\"<\/p>\n
Asian Cup champion Dong, 20, was in awesome form against Ong,
\nthe top singles player in Thomas Cup finalist Malaysia's Asian
\nGames squad. An ankle injury Ong has been nursing since his
\narrival here did his cause no good, and he caved in meekly.<\/p>\n
\"He lost to a much better player. Dong Jiong was simply too
\ngood today,\" Malaysian coach Razif Sidek said.<\/p>\n
Susi<\/p>\n
Women's world number one and world champion Susi Susanti,
\nhunting for the one title that has eluded her grasp, also had to
\nstruggle to reach the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old Indonesian was strangely off-color as she gave
\nup the first game to her Chinese opponent Han Jingna before
\ngetting her mind back on the job.<\/p>\n
Susi, fired by chants of \"Susi, Susi\" from the stands, finally
\ntriumphed 6-11, 11-4 and 11-7 to book a semifinal place against
\nHisako Mizui of Japan.<\/p>\n
\"I just wasn't able to concentrate at the start,\" Susi said
\nafterwards. \"But I want this title badly and I am happy I managed
\nto win at the end.\"<\/p>\n
Mizui beat Plugwech Pornsawan of Thailand 11-4, 11-8.<\/p>\n
Second-seeded Chinese number one Ye Zhaoying also had to play
\nthree games before booking her final spot, defeating Yuliani
\nSentosa of Indonesia 6-11, 11-2, 11-8.<\/p>\n
Ye will be playing South Korean Bang Soo-hyun, Olympic silver
\nmedalist, who was a quick 11-1, 11-2 winner over Takako Ida of
\nJapan.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/joko-survives-scare-as-hariyanto-storms-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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