Flandy/Eng Hian optimistic about All England semis
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia world number two men's doubles Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian showed optimism to reach the four-star 2001 Yonex All England Open semifinals despite Flandy's weak physical condition after suffering influenza in the last few days.
"Flandy was sick for several days and I realize that he may not be able to reach his peak form. I have spoken to him about our chances at the All England. I don't want us just to go there without any target."
"He assured me that he has recovered 80 percent of his physical condition and we expect to reach the semifinals," Eng Hian told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview.
The Danish pair of Jens Eriksen and Jesper Larsen are second seeds at the event to be slated in Birmingham, England, from March 7 to March 11.
Malaysians Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah are third seeds followed by fourth seeds Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Lars Paaske of Denmark and fifth seeds Simon Archer and Nathan Robertson of England.
With the absence of South Koreans Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong- sung and Kim Dong-moon and Ha Tae-kwon, Flandy and Eng Hian have a good chance of winning the title.
"With their absence, we'll have a great chance. But we must be aware of the European pairs as they made great progress, which we saw at the Korean Open," Eng Hian said.
"We have to perform all out and keep on fighting from the first game."
In the men's singles, Indonesians Hendrawan and last year's runner up Taufik Hidayat are fourth and fifth seeds respectively, following top seed Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark, defending champion Xia Xuanze of China as second seed and Chinese third seed Ji Xinpeng. Indonesian dark horse Marlev Mainaky is the seventh seed.
Taufik, banned from the Korea Open and World Grand Prix Finals, admitted that his preparation was not sufficient.
"I can't set my target too high although I made it to the final last year. I'll just do my best," he told reporters. "However, it has become my personal ambition to grab the title this year."
Taufik's preparation has been colored by his protest against the decision of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) not to include coach Mulyo Handoyo in its training center, but the decision was revised and Mulyo will coach the 19-year-old shuttler until the Sudirman Cup and World Championships in Seville, Spain, in May.
Separately, Hendrawan said he also lacked physical fitness for the event.
"I undergo additional physical training sessions under the supervision of Paulus Pasurnay to improve my physical fitness," he said. "I can't promise anything but will just do my best here."
Re-duel
Dane Camilla Martin tops the women's singles seeds and is expected to re-duel with Olympic gold medalist Gong Zhichao of China in the final.
China dominates the event with Dai Yun as second, Gong Ruina as third and Zhou Mi as sixth seeds. None of the Indonesian shuttlers are seeded in the event.
In the women's doubles, Helene Kirkegaard and Rikke Olsen of Denmark are the top seeds followed by compatriots Mette Schjoldager and Ann-Lou Jorgensen.
Chinese Chen Lin and Jiang Xuelian are third followed by another Danish pair of Majken Vange and Pernille Harder as fourth seeds. Indonesia has Deyana Lomban and Carmelita as the fifth seeds.
With the split of Indonesian Olympics silver medalists Tri Kusheryanto and Minarti Timur, none of the Indonesian pairs are seeded in the mixed doubles, leaving Danish Michael Soogard and Rikke Olsen as the top seeds.
Olympics gold medalist Zhang Jun and Gao Ling of China trail as the second seeds.
The draw is expected to be made on Thursday.
Meanwhile, worldbadminton.net reported on Tuesday that the Asian Badminton Confederation (ABC) announced the third Asia Cup will take place in Singapore from May 2 to May 6.
The men's team event featuring two singles and one doubles is offering a total prize fund of US$170,000 with the winning team set to take home a massive $80,000 or $20,000 per player - higher than any current individual event.
Defending champion Indonesia won in 1997 in Jakarta and in 1999 at Ho Chi Minh City. It is also widely tipped to take the cup home for the third consecutive time.
Eight teams will contest the Cup - Indonesia, China, Korea, Malaysia, India, Singapore, Thailand and either Hong Kong or Chinese Taipei. (nvn/yan)