Candra/Sigit avenge loss in Anaheim

JAKARTA: World number one men's doubles pair Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto turned the tables on world champions Howard Bach and Tony Gunawan of the United States on Saturday.

The Indonesians, who lost to Bach and Indonesian-born Tony in three tight games in the worlds in Anaheim, California, in August, came through 21-18, 21-9 in the semifinals of the US$250,000 Saiqi World Invitational in Yiyang, China.

"It was our turn to win now," Candra, who formerly played with Tony, was quoted as saying by Antara news service.

The tournament is using the new scoring system of 21 points in the best-of-three games that will go into effect for all badminton tournaments in February.

Candra and Sigit will get another chance to avenge a recent defeat on Sunday, when they meet China's Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun, who beat them in the final match of the round-robin earlier in the week.

In the mixed doubles, Indonesian world champions Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir reached the final by beating Danes Jens Eriksen/Mette Schjoldager 21-16, 21-8.

They meet China's Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen, who they defeated n the world championship final but lost to in the round-robin this week 16-21, 11-21. -- JP