National players ready for Thomas and Uber Cup<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): National top badminton players cleared their
\nfirst test heading for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals
\nyesterday, with only world men's doubles champions Ricky Subagja
\nand Rexy Mainaky facing hard work.<\/p>\n
Playing before their chief, Soerjadi, and the chairman of the
\nNational Sports Council, Wismoyo Arismunandar, the world
\nbadminton team championships players showed the maturity that
\nhelped them clinch both the coveted trophies here two years ago.<\/p>\n
World number two, Joko Suprianto, expected to play first
\nsingles in Thomas Cup, had hardly any trouble overcoming
\nHendrawan 15-4, 15-10.<\/p>\n
World champion Hariyanto Arbi bounced back from a 13-15 first-
\nset down to take the second 15-7 before his opponent Alan
\nBudikusuma retired.<\/p>\n
\"I don't feel well,\" Olympic gold medalist Alan said while he
\nwas leaving the court.<\/p>\n
Alan was placed sixth on the latest world rankings issued on
\nMonday. It means that he will make a title defense in the Atlanta
\nOlympic Games in July as the third Indonesian after Joko and
\nHariyanto.<\/p>\n
In the match between fading stars, Hermawan Susanto beat Ardy
\nWiranata 15-12, 15-4. Hermawan was seeded first in the Asian
\nChampionships, scheduled for April 17 to 21 in Surabaya, East
\nJava, but opted out.<\/p>\n
\"I am not mentally ready for the championships. All I need now
\nis a full rest,\" Hermawan said.<\/p>\n
All England winners Ricky and Rexy struggled all the way to
\nhold off eighth ranked Chandra Wijaya and Ade Sutrisna 17-14, 8-
\n15, 17-14. National second best doubles of Denny Kantono and
\nAntonius beat Tony Gunawan and Rudy Wijaya 15-5, 17-15 in the
\nother simulation match.<\/p>\n
Experience looked to play a pivotal role in the world
\nchampions' hard-earned win over the Swedish Open champions. \"They
\nhave proven that they are now of the same quality as we are,\"
\nRicky said.<\/p>\n
Rexy went on with his prediction of the Thomas Cup finals,
\nscheduled for May 17 to 26 in Hong Kong. \"China and Malaysia will
\nbe the most dangerous challengers in our campaign,\" Rexy said.<\/p>\n
More tryouts<\/p>\n
National coach Triaji said that the shuttlers would play three
\nmore simulation matches in Batam Island on April 5 and 6, in
\nBandung, West Java, on April 27 and at the Senayan Indoor Stadium
\nhere on May 5.<\/p>\n
\"We are trying to make such a pressurized situation during the
\nsimulation matches that all players will get used to it when they
\nenter the real competition,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In the absence of injured Uber Cup heroine Mia Audina, the
\nbest national women's shuttlers won their matches.<\/p>\n
Badminton queen Susi Susanti easily beat Kristin Yunita 11-2,
\n11-2. Lydia Djaelawidjaya beat Ika Henny 11-8, 11-8, Elysa and
\nRiseu defeated Nonong and Agnastasia 15-4, 15-11 and Cindana
\noutplayed Ellen Angelina 11-8, 11-8.<\/p>\n
The veteran doubles team of Finarsih and Lily Tampi failed to
\nhit their old form, losing to their juniors Indarti Isolina and
\nDeyana Lomban in straight sets 15-18, 7-15.<\/p>\n
Women's coach Imelda Wiguna said that Finarsih and Lily were
\ntoo exhausted after a training session early on Thursday. \"Both
\nteams are equal but Lily and Finarsih were not in their top
\nform,\" she said. (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/national-players-ready-for-thomas-and-uber-cup-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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