Flandy/Eng Hian optimistic about All England semis

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)