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.