Hariyanto Arbi wins Hong Kong Open

Hariyanto Arbi wins Hong Kong Open

HONG KONG (Reuter): Indonesia's Hariyanto Arbi played his
heart out here yesterday to defeat compatriot Ardy Wiranata 15-9,
15-11 in the Hong Kong Open final.

The final was a re-match of their All-England championship
showdown and the result was the same with 22-year-old Hariyanto
engineering openings for his power smash with deep clears and
well-executed drop shots.

Second seed Ardy, who had a two-two win-loss record with his
top seeded opponent this year, used his experience to keep
himself in the game but he could not match Hariyanto's deadly
finishing.

"I played much better today than yesterday when I beat Alan
Budikusuma," said the Asian Games champion Hariyanto. He edged
out the Olympic gold medalist Alan in a nail-biting three setter
on Saturday.

"Ardy is very defensive so I played a patient game and waited
for the openings. That's the best match I have played since the
All-England final. But I still think Alan, Ardy and myself are
still of an equal standard -- I was just that little bit better
yesterday and today."

Ardy rolled over Denmark's Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen, the only
non-Indonesian survivor in the men's singles competition, on
course to reaching yesterday's final.

The women's singles title went to Asian Games gold medalist
Bang Soo-hyun of South Korea who outplayed Sweden's Lim Xiaoqing
11-7, 11-6.

Chinese-born Lim, winner of two European events this year,
surprised Bang with some unorthodox shots early in the first game
to take a 6-2 lead but the Korean's steadier, more conservative
approach prevailed.

"I am pleased to have won the title but it was made easier for
me because Susi Susanti (of Indonesia) was not playing," said
Bang, who won the 1992 Hong Kong Open.

Lim, who defected from China during a stopover in Hong Kong
five years ago, said she had become a better player since leaving
the mainland. Lim was the straight set winner over Indonesia's
Uber Cup heroine Mia Audina in the semifinals.

"I have improved as a player since going to Sweden - I have no
regrets," said Lim, whose normally reliable drop shots let her
down in the final. "I think badminton in China is going downhill
as the players are following the coaches instructions too
closely."