China vows to clinch Sudirman Cup title

This article concludes an evaluation on the skills of players competing in the Sudirman Cup mixed team championships next week.

JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion China is eying a hat trick in the Sudirman Cup mixed team championships to decisively mark a return to supremacy in the badminton world.

Having won the last two tournaments, China will parade its best players to reach the semifinals as the Group B winner. Indonesia, one of two teams which stand between China and the title, is expected to finish second in the round robin group competition and make it to the cross-over semifinals.

The other team in the group, Malaysia, which qualified for the event at the expense of England, is entering the tournament as a part timer and lacks a realistic chance of reaching the final four.

China will begin the defense of the title against Malaysia on Monday and will meet Indonesia on Tuesday. Indonesia will take on Malaysia on Wednesday.

Chinese men's singles player Sun Jun, who has been under fire for his unimpressive performance in the past two years, will lead China's campaign. His latest victory -- over world number one Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark in the Grand Prix Finals in Brunei Darussalam in February -- proved he is on the comeback trail.

Dong Jiong, the Asian Games gold medalist, is ranked second to Sun at home, but he could be the key to victory for the Chinese team.

China's women's singles team have geared up for the event without coach Li Lingwei, who suddenly resigned after the Asian Games last December. Her assistant Tang Xue Hwa took over.

Li's exit appeared to have no effect on China's performance, as six of its women's singles players -- Ye Zhaoying, Gong Ruina, Dai Yun, Zhang Ning, Zhou Mi and Gong Zhichao -- are ranked among the top 16.

In the women's doubles, China has the two world class pairs of Huang Nanyan/Yang Wei and Ge Fei/Gu Jun.

But China is not strong enough in the men's doubles. Its best tandem of Zhang Wei and Zhang Jun is only ninth in the latest world ranking. Also on the decline are former world number one mixed doubles pair of Liu Yong and Ge Fei, who are currently ranked eighth.

Strongest

Indonesia, the winner of the inaugural event, will be China's strongest opponent in the group, despite the poor preparations at home for the tournament. Complaints were lodged at the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) for its decision to set up a rigorous training program to address players' poor physical fitness.

Men's singles Hendrawan, however, said he was highly motivated to win the event.

"After winning the silver at the Asian Games, I enjoyed my life very much. I realize that without hard work, it's impossible to attain my best form."

Hendrawan will be accompanied by the 1999 All England finalist, Taufik Hidayat.

Taufik almost spoilt Indonesia's preparations for the Sudirman Cup when he threatened to stay at home if his coach, Mulyo Handoyo, was dropped from the contingent. The PBSI agreed to his demand.

"My coach is the only person who knows me on and off the court," Taufik argued.

By contrast, Indonesia's women's singles players appear gloomy. Mia Audina, who is ranked 11th in the world and overshadows her compatriots, skipped the event after her mother died. Her replacements, Cindana, Lidya Djaelawidjaja and Ellen Angelina, said they were doubtful of their potential.

Indonesia is also facing injury problems in the women's doubles. Elysa Nathanael, who is still recovering from a right knee injury, will leave her regular partner, Deyana Lomban, to team up with Indarti Issolina. Elysa and Deyana won the Asian Games silver.

Men's doubles will be Indonesia's only trump card, having four of the best pairs in the world. They are Antonius Arianto/Denny Kantono, Flandy Limpele/Eng Hian, Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan and the veteran pair of Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky, the Olympic champions.

In the mixed doubles, Tri Kusherjanto and his long-time partner Minarti Timur are expected to perform their best. Indonesia has named the tandem of Bambang Suprianto and Zelin Resiana as reserves.

Underdog

Malaysia may enter the tournament as an underdog, due to the absence of world class women's shuttlers, but the presence of top men's singles Rashid Sidek will give it a morale boost.

Utusan Melayu reported Rashid had put national interests before his dispute with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

"I will seek optimum chances to contribute something for my country. It's most likely my last opportunity," said the 31-year- old shuttler.

Malaysia also risks losing the doubles event. Cheah Soon Kit, the 1996 Olympic silver medalist with Yap Kim Hock, could not resolve communication problems with new partner Chong Tang Fook. They have reportedly not talked to each other in weeks.

BAM has called on Kim Hock to intervene in the dispute between the two. Kim Hock asked for one week, which ends on May 7, to solve the problem.

"I am worried about them. They don't have to spend time together and talk, but simple communication on court and gestures to encourage each other is good enough," Kim Hock told The Star.

Malaysia's Danish coach, Morten Frost Hansen, said: "I don't want to comment about the two players because I think both of them should deal with it." (yan)