Defending champs Djarum to face top seed Jaya Raya

By Novan Iman Santosa

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): Defending champion Djarum Kudus of Central Java will challenge top seed and competition favorites Jaya Raya of Jakarta in a clash of the titans at the Inter-club National Badminton Championship final at the Hasanuddin HM Sport Hall Saturday.

Djarum, second seeded at the event, crushed third seed Tangkas of Jakarta 3-0. The remaining two matches were not featured as they were no longer decisive.

Former world champion Sigit Budiarto and Olympic silver medalist Minarti Timur were too powerful for Nova Widhianto and Eny Widyowati, easily winning 15-8, 15-6 in the mixed doubles opening match.

Djarum earned the second winning point after women's singles Ellen Angelina defeated Mona Santoso 11-3, 11-3.

The Central Java club -- which has produced several top caliber players, including Hariyanto Arbi, Liem Swie King and Christian Hadinata -- sealed its victory after Budi Santoso triumphed over world number eight Marlev Mainaky 15-12, 13-15, 15-2 in the men's singles.

Earlier on Friday, Djarum convincingly defeated Wima of Surabaya 3-0 in the quarterfinals, while Tangkas defeated Mutiara Elvana of Bandung 3-1.

Jaya Raya players had to lift their work rate to eliminate fourth seed Sangkuriang Graha Sarana (SGS) of Bandung and secure their finals berth.

Bambang Suprihanto and Indarti Issoliana produced the first point for Jaya Raya after working hard to overcome Flandy Limpele and Nira N 11-15, 15-4, 15-3.

Their lead was dissolved when Lidya Djaelawijaya lost to SGS's Yuli Marfuah 6-11, 5-11 in the women's singles.

World number five Taufik Hidayat of SGS survived his test by taming Hendra 15-4, 11-15, 15-8 in a performance buoyed by support from a full-house of around 2,000 spectators.

Deyana Lomban and Carmelita gave Jaya Raya some breathing space as they managed to trounce Monika and Lita Nurlita 15-3, 15-3.

In the do-or-die match, Olympic gold medalists Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan proved their mastery by ousting Flandy Limpele and Halim Heryanto 15-10, 15-1.

Halim seemed unable to overcome the pressure in the deciding match and made many unforced errors, particularly in the second game.

Earlier in the quarterfinals Jaya Raya managed to tame Surabaya-based Surya Naga Gudang Garam 3-2 in a very close match, while SGS beat local team Bina Benua 3-0.

In the National Junior Championships, being held simultaneously at the same venue, Java-based shuttlers continued to dominate the event, although East Kalimantan's shuttlers surprised the crowds when they cruised to final.

East Kalimantan's first surprise was Robby Istianto and Yusuf's victory over Hendra and Bambang of West Java 6-15, 17-14, 15-13 in the boys doubles. They will meet Yan Pieter and Tri Heru of Jakarta who defeated Central Java's Aji Basuki and Prasetyo 17-14, 15-4.

Another East Kalimantan upset was Yusuf and Fermy Keintjem's victory over Central Java's Rizal and Veronica 15-7, 15-9, setting them a finals date with Hendra and Marlina of West Java who defeated Sri Hartoko and Firbaya of Central Java 15-7, 15-4.

After the match, Robby told reporters that East Kalimantan's progress was a result of its training in West Java.

"I've been in West Java's training camp for about two years improving my skills. I will just freely play my best game in the final," he said.

"I have met the Jakarta pair several times and lost most of the time," he added.

Sonny Dwi Kuncoro of East Java beat Markis Kido of Jakarta 17- 14, 15-2, and will now meet Adriansyah who defeated teammate Taufik Hidayat 15-11, 15-9.

"I will do my best in Saturday's final match. I have met Adriansyah several times and already know his style," Sonny told reporters after the match.

They have met seven times with Adriansyah leading the matchup so far by 4-3.

Maria Christin of Central Java defeated Fitria Firdaus 11-7, 11-7, securing her a finals berth in the girls singles opposite Dian Novita of Central Java who beat Dewi Tira of East Java 11-3, 11-2.