Hariyanto, Rexy and Ricky both lose narrowly in semis
Hariyanto, Rexy and Ricky both lose narrowly in semis
JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Hariyanto Arbi, seeded 12th, failed to secure Indonesia a representative in the men's singles World Championships final after losing to 15th seeded Peter Rasmussen of Denmark 15-9, 9-15, 2-15 yesterday.
In the men's doubles, third-seeded Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia, the Olympic gold medalists, lost in a repeat of the Olympic final 9-15, 15-2, 12-15 to Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock of Malaysia.
In the women's singles semifinals Ye Zhaoying of China had to stretch before overcoming junior Wang Chen 11-5, 5-11, 11-4.
As Hariyanto failed to return a Rasmussen smash from his right side, lefthander Rasmussen raised his right hand to celebrate his place in today's final, which will be aired by RCTI at 8.00 p.m. West Indonesian Time.
In the first game, Hariyanto, nicknamed Hari, took an 8-0 lead but Rasmussen fought back to trail 9-13 before Hari ended the game 15-9.
Rasmussen, who defeated Park Sung-woo of South Korea, took control in the second game 7-1 before Hari fought from behind to get to 6-9. But the Dane closed out the game 15-9.
In the decider, Rasmussen led 8-2 before changing ends. Hari, who beat Dane Thomas Stuer Lauridsen in the quarterfinals, seemed powerless and lost easily 2-15.
Coach Indra Gunawan said in an interview on RCTI that Hari found it difficult to return both Rasmussen's straight and cross- court attacks.
"Hari lost to him in front of the net and behind at the baseline. He won the first game because Peter could not anticipate his speed and power. But after the Dane learned how to handle Hari, he could adapt, match and then beat Hari," Indra said.
"Hari said his feet were hurting during the long rallies especially after he fell twice. That's not the excuse for his loss though. His opponent was much better."
Rasmussen will challenge the winner between Olympic medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark, who defeated Indonesia's Joko Suprianto, and China's Sun Jun, who destroyed Peter Gade Christensen.
China confirmed its victory in the women's singles after four of its shuttlers reached the semifinals.
Top seeded Ye Zhaoying, who beat junior Dai Yun Friday, was playing Wang Chen. She won easily the first game easily 11-5 but was in trouble in the second game.
Wang, who defeated Olympic silver medalist Mia Audina of Indonesia Friday, extend the match to a deciding games after winning the second game 11-5.
Experience saved Ye, who won the All-England championships in March, and helped her to win the deciding game 11-4.
Ye will challenge the winner between second seeded Gong Zhichao, who defeated Indonesian Susi Susanti, and 10th seeded Han Jingna, who won against compatriot Zhang Ning.
Chinese mixed doubles Ge Fei/Liu Yong, fourth seeded in the championship, upset third seeded Jens Eriksen/Marlene Thomsen of Denmark in a tight three games 15-5, 16-17, 15-4.
Ge/Liu took this year's first title for China and claimed themselves as the best pair in the world after forming their partnership in January.
Indonesia's Tri Kusherjanto/Minarti Timur took the bronze after they lost to Eriksen/Thomsen in the semifinals.
Cheah and Yap will take on the winner of top seeded Chandra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto from Indonesia and Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong- sung of South Korea.
The International Badminton Federation has decided to stage the next world badminton championships and Sudirman Cup team event in Copenhagen in May 1999.
Denmark last hosted the world championships in 1991. (yan)