All Indonesian semifinal in men's doubles unlikely

All Indonesian semifinal in men's doubles unlikely

By Primastuti Handayani

COPENHAGEN (JP): Indonesia has a slight chance to create an
all-Indonesian semifinal in the men's doubles at the World
Championships in Brondby Hall this week.

Deputy team manager, Christian Hadinata, said it would be very
difficult to make an all-Indonesian semifinal as other countries'
men's doubles also showed good performances during the Sudirman
Cup here last week.

"Many world class men's doubles have good performances and
none of them are more powerful than others," he said.

Indonesia will likely retain the title as it fields world
number one Antonius and Denny Kantono, number two Flandy and Eng
Hian, number three Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan and number four
Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky, the 1996 Olympic champions.

Candra, who won the title in 1997 with Sigit Budiarto, is one
of the favorites. He is ready to defend the title with new
partner Tony. They both won in the All England.

Sigit was suspended from tournaments for about one year after
he was found guilty of using anabolic steroid nandrolone in the
Singapore Open.

However, Candra and Tony will have to face Peter Axelsson and
Par-Gunnar Jonsson of Sweden in the third round. If the
Indonesians win, they will face tough challenges from South
Koreans Kim Dong-moon and Ha Tae-kwon or Malaysians Chew Choon
Eng and Lee Wan Wah.

Candra and Tony will likely use the opportunity to take
revenge after the Koreans beat them in the Japan Open semifinals.

Korean coach, Kim Moon-soo, said: "Candra and Tony are very
strong. They are the favorites in the championships. It's too bad
they meet in the quarters. The match should be the final."

Indonesia's men's doubles coach, Herry Imam Pierngadi, said:
"Candra and Tony will have to work really hard to win the
semifinals berth as they have very tough matches in early
rounds."

Candra said: "Although we lost to Kim and Ha in the Japan
Open, now we are ready to take revenge. They played better than
us then."

If Candra and Tony reach the semifinals, they will likely face
Flandy and Eng Hian.

Flandy and Didi, Eng Hian's nickname, will likely meet Chinese
pairs of Zhang Jun and Zhang Wei, seeded 11, in the
quarterfinals. But the Chinese will have to eliminate home
favorite Michael Sogaard and Jim Laugesen in the third round.

Herry said: "Based on the drawing, Flandy (Limpele) and Eng
Hian have the biggest chance to reach the semifinals."

Unseeded

Christian warned Antonius and Denny to be aware of new Chinese
pairs Yu Jinhao and Chen Qiqiu in the first match on Wednesday at
9.00 a.m. local time (2.00 p.m. West Indonesia Time).

"Although the Chinese were unseeded in the championships, we
know how good their technical skills are. We know that Antonius
and Denny are slow starters so they must not loosen up in the
beginning of the match."

If the Indonesians manage to overcome the Chinese, they will
likely meet Malaysian newcomers Chan Chong Ming and Jeremy Gan in
the third round. In the quarterfinals, Dane duos Jens Eriksen and
Jesper Larsen will wait for the Indonesians.

Old hands Ricky and Rexy will likely manage to reach the
quarterfinals because they will not have tough challengers in
early rounds. They will meet either winners Malaysians Cheah Soon
Kit and Choong Tan Fook or Koreans Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-
sung.

Ages

Herry said he would not expect too much from Ricky and Rexy
due to their ages. Ricky is 28 while Rexy is 31.

Kim said he believed Lee and Yoo could overcome the Malaysians
due to their communication problem recently.

"Lee and Yoo will be able to beat the Malaysians. If Cheah
and Choong don't talk to each other, it will be very bad. It can
bring problems. Both players must have discussion on their
performance."

Cheah and Choong hadn't talk during the preparation for the
Sudirman Cup and World Championships. Choong reunited with Lee
Wan Wah in the Sudirman Cup matches.

Lee and Yoo will likely be able to beat Ricky and Rexy in the
quarterfinals.

"Ricky and Rexy are old now. Although Lee and Yoo failed to
show their best form in the Sudirman but I believe they'll play
better," Kim said, adding that Yoo was injured on his left
shoulder.