Alan misses Sanyo semifinals, Jeffer meets Hall

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Alan Budikusuma crashed to Dong Jiong in the last match of the round-robin section yesterday and gave his opponent a place in the semifinals of the Sanyo World Cup Badminton Championship.

Alan, the 1992 Olympic gold medalist, lost to Dong, the 1996 silver medalist, 8-15, 13-15.

Dong dominated the match with his sharp dropshots from the beginning to race to a 6-2 lead.

Alan, who is to marry Indonesia's badminton queen Susi Susanti next year, was able to close to 4-7 but then let his opponent extend his lead to 13-4.

He was able to earn four more points as Dong made unforced errors in netting to trail 8-13 but the Chinese then closed out the set 15-8.

In the second set, Dong led 10-5 but Alan spoiled his chances to earn points as he made many unforced errors at the net. As Alan's final stroke hit the net, Dong jumped and raised his right hand in triumph at winning the second set 15-13 and with it the match.

Dong next faces Park Sung-woo of South Korea, who beat Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia 15-4, 15-3.

Another upset victory was chalked up by old hand Darren Hall of England as he surprisingly beat Pang Chen of China 15-2, 15- 13.

"I'm very surprised to reach the semifinals because I planned to play golf at the weekend," Hall told a post-match conference.

"I'll try my best and enjoy the game tomorrow," he added.

The 31-year-old Hall is to challenge rookie Jeffer Rosobin of Indonesia in the semifinals today. Jeffer beat Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark Thursday.

Jeffer, 20, beat Jeroen van Dijk of the Netherlands 15-5, 14- 17, 15-3 yesterday.

"I should have been able to win the second set but the wind was strong and I was afraid to hit it hard. He was always able to smash my returns," Jeffer said.

"I've never met Darren but I'll try my best. He's old enough and I have to be very patient because we play the same game, we both play defensively," he added.

Indonesia's young hope Mia Audina, the 1996 Olympic silver medalist, cruised to the semifinals after eliminating Anne Sondergaard of Denmark 11-4, 11-0 yesterday.

Mia now plays Wang Chen of China, who beat Christine Gandrup of Sweden 11-3, 11-1.

This year's Olympic bronze medalist Susi had to stretch her muscles before eliminating China's rising star Gong Zhichao 11-5, 9-11, 11-2.

Susi, the 1992 Olympic gold medalist and six-time winner of the World Grand Prix Finals, is to challenge Ye Zhaoying of China, who she beat in the Grand Prix Finals final last week in Bali.

Ye cruised to the semifinals after receiving a walkover win against Camilla Martin of Denmark, who is suffering an upset stomach.

Indonesia's newly formed mixed doubles partnership of Sandiarto/Minarti Timur lost to Chen Xingdong/Qin Yiyuan of China 15-11, 15-10.

Sandiarto/Minarti are to meet Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen of Denmark, who beat Flandy Limpele/Risyeu Rosalina 15-11, 15-11. Flandy/Risyeu are to challenge Chen/Qin.

Indonesia's women's doubles Eliza/Zelin Resiana lost to Olympic gold medalists Ge Fei/Gu Jun 15-5, 15-6 but still reached the semifinals.

Results:

Men's singles: Soren B Nielsen (Den) v Oliver Pongratz (Ger) 17-14, 15-7 Jens Olsson (Swe) WO v Martin Lundgaard Hansen (Den) Darren Hall (Gbr) v Pang Chen (Mas) 15-2, 15-13 Lee Kwan-jin (Kor) v Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (Den) 8-15, 17-14, 15-7 Dong Jiong (Chn) v Alan Budikusuma (Ina) 15-8, 15-13 Jeffer Rosobin (Ina) v Jeroen van Dijk (Ned) 15-5, 14-17, 15-3 Park Sung-woo (Kor) v Ong Ewe Hock (Mal) 15-4, 15-3 Fung Permadi (Tpe) v Chen Gang (Chn) 15-7, 17-15

Women's singles: Ye Zhaoying (Chn) WO v Camilla Martin (Den) Wang Chen (Chn) v Christine Gandrup (Swe) 11-3, 11-1 Mia Audina (Ina) v Anne Sondergaard (Den) 11-4, 11-0 Susi Susanti (Ina) v Gong Zhichao (Chn) 11-5, 9-11, 11-2

Women's doubles: Ge Fei/Gu Jun (Chn) v Eliza/Zelin Resiana (Ina) 15-5, 15-6

Mixed doubles: Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (Den) v Flandy Limpele/Risyeu Rosalina (Ina) 15-11, 15-11 Chen Xingdong/Qin Yiyuan (Chn) v Sandiarto/Minarti Timur (Ina) 15-11, 15-10

Women's doubles: Qin Yiyuan/Tang Yongshu (Chn) v Indarti Isolina/Deyana Lomban (Ina) 15-8, 15-12

Men's doubles: Chris Hunt/Simon Archer (Gbr) WO v Peter Axelsson/Par Gunnar Jonsson (Swe) Antonius/Denny Kantono (Ina) v Andreij Antropov/Nikolaj Zuev (Rus) 15-13, 15-6 Rexy Mainaky/Sigit Budiarto (Ina) v Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock (Mas) 6-15, 15-7, 15-7 Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (Mal) v Tao Xiaoqiang/Ge Cheng (Chn) 15-13, 15-12