Easy does it for top seeds in Indonesia Open

By Primastuti Handayani

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The top seeds cruised through to the third round of the US$150,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open on Wednesday after winning in the first and second round matches at Yuwana Mandala Hall.

Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark, the 1999 All England champion, barely sweated as he eliminated Ramesh Nathan of Malaysia 15-2, 15-9. Earlier in the day, Gade Christensen beat Indonesian junior Boby Santoso 15-1, 15-9.

"Looking from the drawing, I think I'll get the benefit as the top seed here," he said.

The 22-year-old Dane will face Indonesian Ronny Agustinus, who had to work hard to eliminate junior Endra Feriyanto 15-11, 15-12.

Singapore Open finalist Taufik Hidayat got off to a shaky start in the morning when he had to exert himself to survive in his first test against Alvin Chew of Malaysia to win 17-14, 15-9.

The 18-year-old shuttler was downed 1-13 before he managed to equal 13-13. But both players forced a deuce at 14-14 and Taufik was able conclude the first set 17-14.

Taufik blamed his poor performance on the strong wind on the court.

"I have never felt such a strong wind in a five-star tournament. I was really disturbed by the wind and also the stadium condition."

Coach Joko Suprianto said Taufik did not warm up adequately before the match.

"He didn't have enough warming up for the match so he needed a long time to adjust."

Taufik will meet towering Swedish Thomas Johansson, who stands 2.06 meters tall, in Thursday's third round. Johansson defeated Indonesian rookie Arief Rasidi 15-10, 17-14.

Singapore Open semifinalist Marlev Mainaky managed to reach the third round after beating Dane Rasmus Wengberg 15-8, 15-10. Marlev will meet compatriot Indra Wijaya, who had to work hard to overcome Anders Boesen of Denmark 15-6, 11-15, 15-12.

Hendrawan, the 1998 Asian Games runner up, reached the third round after defeating Ruud Koijten of Belgium 15-9, 15-8. Hendrawan will face Peter Rasmusen of Denmark who beat Jason Wong of Malaysia 15-4, 17-16, 15-10.

The 1996 Olympics gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen cruised to the third round after beating Ardiansyah of Indonesia 15-8, 15-2.

He will face Yap Yong Jyen of Malaysia who defeated Gerben Bruijstens of the Netherlands 15-10, 9-15, 15-2.

Other matches

In the women's singles, the 1999 World Champion Camilla Martin of Denmark, top seeded here, reached the quarterfinals by crushing Atu Rosalina of Indonesia 11-6, 11-4. Martin will face Siska Yunita of Indonesia, who beat Petra Schrott of Italy 11-7, 11-6.

Second seeded Cindana Hartono had no trouble sending home German Heike Schoenharting 11-1, 11-2. Cindana will face Mette Pedersen of Denmark, who beat Novita Indah of Indonesia 11-6, 11- 3.

Third seeded Judith Meulendijks of the Netherlands beat Chiung Siang of Indonesia 11-5, 11-9 to meet another Indonesian young hope Mona Santoso. Mona defeated Christina Sorensen of Denmark 11-4, 11-8.

Fourth seeded Mette Sorensen of Denmark had to pump out her energy to overcome Indonesian Meiluawati 11-2, 11-13, 11-7. Sorensen is to take on Ninik Masrikah of Indonesia, who beat Italian Agnese Allagrini 11-5, 11-2.

In the men's doubles, top seeded Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan beat their juniors Davis Efraim and Karel Mainaky 15-6, 15-12. Candra and Tony will meet Sweden's second-best pair of Fredrik Bergstrom and Hendrik Andersson. The Swedish duo won over twin brothers Dony Prasetyo and Deny Setiawan 15-10, 12-15, 17- 15.

Second seed Jens Eriksen and Jesper Larsen of Denmark also reached the second round after beating rookies David Pohan and Rone Rontolalu of Indonesia 15-10, 15-3.

Third seed Michael Sogaard and Jim Laugesen easily overcame newcomers Dicky Susilo and Ferdi Rusman of Indonesia 15-7, 15-2.

While fourth seeded Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky, the 1996 Olympics gold medalists, managed to overcome the Japanese duo of Keita Matsuda and Ohtsuka Tadashi 17-14, 15-5.