Gade Christensen hoping for GP birthday present

JAKARTA (JP): Top-seeded Dane Peter Gade Christensen said yesterday he hoped to win the upcoming 1997 Lipton World Grand Prix Badminton Finals here as a birthday present for himself.

Gade Christensen, who turns 21 on Sunday, said he would not let the world number one title act as pressure on him.

"This tournament is very tough because only the best 16 men's players will compete. If I can win, it proves that I'm really number one in the world," he told a press conference.

Gade Christensen is in Group A together with Luo Yigang of China, and Indonesians Budi Santoso and Alan Budikusuma for the first section of the tournament at Istora Senayan, which starts today and ends Sunday.

"I've never played against Luo before. I beat Alan twice and I am tied with Budi 2-2. Alan is an attacking player and it's difficult to beat him because he plays fast. But Budi is tough because he's just keep on playing," he said about his group rivals.

He will meet Alan in today's round-robin match.

"Another tough rival will be Hariyanto Arbi of Indonesia. He used to be my idol when he was the world champion. But now I'm the world number one and it will be hard to beat him. We both are attacking players and if we use our power in the beginning we may not be able to do well in the end of the game," he added.

Gade Christensen said Indonesian shuttlers will gain a great advantage from playing at home.

"They are used to the spectators, the weather and the food. We've played here several times and I think we're getting better."

Compatriot Peter Rasmussen, the 1997 World Champion, said: "All players must concentrate 100 percent in the tournament because only the best compete here. I've been preparing myself well and I hope to perform at my best," he said.

Rasmussen is in Group C with top seeded Dong Jiong of China, Ardy B. Wiranata and Hendrawan, both of Indonesia.

"I hope my form will be as good as when I won the World Championship because I had some bad results after that," he said.

Rasmussen will meet Ardy today.

Indonesia's Indra Wijaya told reporters before practicing yesterday that he was lucky being unseeded in Group D.

"I'll play against compatriot Hermawan (Susanto) tomorrow. I think being an underdog enables me to perform at my best although I have never won against Poul-Erik (Hoyer-Larsen)," he said.

Indra, the 1997 Singapore Open finalist, will also have to meet Chen Gang of China in addition Hoyer-Larsen and Hermawan.

The tournament is offering US$380,000 prize money. The men's singles winner will take home $24,700 while the women's singles winner will pocket $19,000.

IBF president Lu Shengrong told reporters that the tournament was using the world rankings instead of Grand Prix rankings, as it always did.

"The prize money will probably increase next year, at least, to $400,000. But the federation could not get sponsors to stage the event in European countries. It's different with Asian countries which can provide major sponsors," she said. (yan)

Groupings

Men's singles

Group A: Peter Gade Christensen (Den) Luo Yigang (Chn) Budi Santoso (Ina) Alan Budikusuma (Ina)

Group B: Sun Jun (Chn) Hariyanto Arbi (Ina) Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen (Den) Marlev Mainaky (Ina)

Group C: Dong Jiong (Chn) Peter Rasmussen (Den) Ardy B. Wiranata (Ina) Hendrawan (Ina)

Group D: Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (Den) Hermawan Susanto (Ina) Indra Wijaya (Ina) Chen Gang (Chn)

Women's singles

Group A: Susi Susanti (Ina) Dai Yun (Chn) Zhang Ning (Chn)

Group B: Gong Zhichao (Chn) Marina Andrievskaya (Swe) Zeng Yaqiong (Chn)

Group C: Ye Zhaoying (Chn) Yao Yan (Chn) Kim Ji-hyun (Kor)

Group D: Camilla Martin (Den) Mia Audina (Ina) Wang Chen (Chn)

Men's doubles

Group A: Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto (Ina) Jon Holst-Christensen/Michael Soogard (Den) Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock (Mal) Hermono/Eng Hian (Ina)

Group B: Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong-sung (Kor) Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky (Ina) Antonius/Denny Kantono (Ina) Jens Eriksen/Jeasper Larsen (Den)

Women's Doubles

Group A: Ge Fei/Gu Jun (Chn) Qiang Hong/Liu Lu (Chn) Indarti Issoliana/Deyana Lomban (Ina) Haruko Matsuda/Yoshiko Iwata (Jpn)

Group B: Qin Yiyuan/Tang Yongshu (Chn) Eliza/Zelin Resiana (Ina) Liu Zhong/Huang Nanyan (Chn) Helene Kirkegaard/Rikke Olsen (Den)

Mixed doubles

Group A: Liu Yong/Ge Fei (Chn) Michael Soogard/Rikke Olsen (Den) Tri Kusharjanto/Minarti Timur (Ina) Imam Tohari/Emma Ermawati (Ina)

Group B: Jens Eriksen/Marlene Thomsen (Den) Bambang Suprianto/Riseu Rosalina (Ina) Sandiarto/Finarsih (Ina) Chris Hunt/Donna Kellog (Gbr)