Double Rs cruise to easy wins in round-robin games

By Primastuti Handayani

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Indonesia's men's doubles teams had easy victories on the second day of the Lipton World Grand Prix Badminton Finals here yesterday.

Olympic gold medalists Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky cruised into the final round-robin match today after eliminating Peter Axelsson and Par-Gunnar Jonsson of Sweden 15-4, 15-11.

Juniors Antonius and Denny Kantono beat Malaysians Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah 15-5, 17-14 and Chandra Wijaya and Sigit defeated Jon Holst-Christensen and Thomas Lund of Denmark 15-11, 15-7.

Earlier Wednesday, Ricky and Rexy, dubbed the double Rs, defeated their junior compatriots Tony Gunawan and Rudy Wijaya 15-8, 5-15, 15-8.

The best Indonesian duo opened yesterday's play with an aggressive start. They kept the lead from the outset and completed the first set briskly 15-4.

In the second set, Axelsson and Jonsson came back and forced Ricky and Rexy to struggle to keep control of the play under.

Experience enabled Ricky and Rexy to shut out the match although they both almost spoiled their chance on match point.

Rexy raised his hand after Jonsson failed to return Rexy's smash and the ball hit the net to conclude the 45-minute clash.

About 500 spectators, who threw themselves behind the national duos from the first serve, broke into huge applause.

"We did not attack our opponents in the second set because of the strong wind on the court," Ricky said, adding that the wind is stronger on one side than the other.

"If we want to cruise to the semifinals, we must win tomorrow's last match," he said.

Ricky/Rexy are to be challenged by old rivals Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock of Malaysia, the Olympic silver medalists.

Meanwhile Sigit/Chandra surprisingly defeated Jon Holst- Christensen/Thomas Lund 15-11, 15-7 after losing to compatriots Denny Kantono/Antonius 9-15, 15-9, 15-18 Wednesday.

"I think I played better yesterday. I was doubtful but they were also," Chandra said after the match.

Chandra said that Lund's smashes were sharp and hard to return.

"Our defense should have been better to counter their attacks," he said.

Today, Chandra/Sigit are to challenge Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah of Malaysia. The Indonesian duo beat the Malaysians at the China Open in October.

"Our chances are better here but we still have to be aware," he said.

Singles

Indra Wijaya, who is making his debut here and beat Olympic silver medalist Dong Jiong of China Wednesday, failed to repeat the feat yesterday.

Indra lost against Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen 9-15, 11-15 in 45 minutes.

"I rushed myself to finish the match which forced me into making unforced errors," Indra said.

Coach Triaji said that Indra still has a chance to reach the semifinals unless he can win today's deciding match in group B against Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia in straight set.

Ong, who beat Stuer-Lauridsen Wednesday, was defeated by Dong 7-15, 14-17.

Unfortunately, veteran Hermawan Susanto failed to overcome old hand Rashid Sidek of Malaysia and lost 15-18, 15-10, 15-1.

"I lost my self-confidence in the second set. I smashed a lot but most of them were out or stuck in the net," he said.

"I should have played defensively in the second set because I got points from baseline rallies," said Hermawan, who lost against Sun Jun 13-15, 14-18 Wednesday.

Hermawan lost the opportunity to progress to the semifinals as he has lost two of his three matches.

Indonesia's badminton queen Susi Susanti had to stretch her muscles before beating Chinese Zeng Yaqiong 11-8, 11-8. Susi faces Han Jingna of China today.

Selected Results: Men's singles: Dong Jiong (Chn) v Ong Ewe Hock (Mas) 15-7, 17-14 Indra Wijaya (Ina) v Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen (Den) 9-15, 11-15 Rashid Sidek (Mas) v Hermawan Susanto (Ina) 15-18, 15-10, 15-1 Sun Jun (Chn) v Soren B Nielsen (Den) 15-3, 15-3 Alan Budi Kusuma (Ina) v Hu-Zhi Lan (Chn) 15-5 15-4 Women's singles: Gong Zhichao (Chn) v Christina Gandrup (Swe) 11-4, 11-8 Meluawati (Ina) v Yao Yan (Chn) 8-11, 2-11 Susi Susanti (Ina) v Zeng Yaqiong (Chn) 11-8, 11-8

Men's doubles: Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky (Ina) v Peter Axelsson/Par-Gunnar Jonsson (Swe) 15-4, 15-11 Chandra Wijaya/Sigit (Ina) v Jon Holst-Christensen/Thomas Lund (Den) 15-11, 15-7 Denny Kantono/Antonius (Ina) v Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (Mas) 15-5, 17-14

Women's doubles: Indarti Isoliana/Deyana Lomban (Ina) v Christina Gandrup/Marina Andrievskaya (Swe) 18-13, 15-13

Mixed doubles: Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (Den) v Nick Ponting/Joanne Goode (Gbr) 15-3, 15-1 Imam Tohari/Ema Ermawati (Ina) v Thomas Stavngaard/Ann Jorgensen (Den) 18-15, 15-7 Trikus Heryanto/Minarti Timur (Ina) v Chris Hunt/Helene Kirkegaard (Gbr/Den) 15-7, 15-3