Hariyanto to take on mighty Joko in world c'ships
Hariyanto to take on mighty Joko in world c'ships
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP): Indonesia's top seed Hariyanto Arbi has an early test against 1993 winner and compatriot Joko Suprianto in this year's world badminton championships.
Hariyanto has a quarterfinal meeting with Joko with a possible semifinal against Denmark's 3/4 seed and All England winner Poul- Erik Hoyer-Larsen following Saturday's draw.
Second seed Ardy Wiranata, who surprisingly lost to Denmark's world number 25 Peter Rasmussen in the Sudirman Cup on Friday, is scheduled for a semifinal meeting with Olympic champion Alan Budikusuma.
However Ardy has a tricky last 16 test against Malaysian veteran Rashid Sidek before an expected quarterfinal against Denmark's Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen.
The women's singles has an intriguing early rerun of the Asian Games final between eventual champion Bang Soo-hyun of South Korea, seeded second here, and Japan's Hisako Mizui, both are Susi's conquerors.
Mizui beat world and Olympic champion Susi Susanti in the semifinal in that event in Hiroshima, Japan in October 1994. Bang upset Susi to spoil Indonesia's 4-1 semifinal win over title holder South Korea in the Sudirman Cup on Saturday.
Top seed Susi must overcome China's Yao Yan, South Korea's Ra Kyung Min, and Denmark's All-England runner-up Camilla Martin on the way to a possible third title running.
In the men's doubles, top seeds Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky are set for a semifinal replay of the All England final in March when they beat Indonesian teammates Denny Kantono and Antonius.
Swiss Open winners and second seeds Jon Holst-Christensen and Thomas Lund of Denmark should face 3/4 seeds Gunawan and Bambang Suprianto in the other semifinal.
Gunawan currently holds the title he won in Birmingham, England in 1993 with Ricky Subagja.
In the women's doubles, China's top seeds and 1995 Asian champions Ge Fei and Gu Jun have a tough quarterfinal draw against All-England winners Gil Young-ah and Jang Hye-ock of South Korea.
Mixed doubles favorites Thomas Lund and Marlene Thomsen of Denmark must beat England's Chris Hunt and Gillian Gowers, China's Chen Xingdong and Wang Xiaoyuan, and then Sweden's Jan- Eric Antonsson and Astrid Crabo to make the final.
Lund, who won in 1993 with Sweden's Catrine Bengtsson, are expected to face second seeds Trikus Heryanto and Minarti Timur of Indonesia in the final.
Seedings for the badminton world championships from May 22-28 (Indonesians unless stated):
Men's singles 1. Hariyanto Arbi 2. Ardy Wiranata 3. Alan Budikusuma 4. Poul Erik Hoyer-Larsen (Den) 5. Hermawan Susanto 6. Joko Suprianto 7. Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen (Den) 8. Park Sung-woo (Kor)
Women's singles 1. Susi Susanti 2. Bang Soo-hyun (Kor) 3. Lim Xiaoqing (Swe) 4. Camilla Martin (Den) 5. Mia Audina 6. Ye Zhaoying (Chn) 7. Ra Kyung-min (Kor) 8. Han Jingna (Chn)
Men's doubles 1. Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky 2. Jon Holst-Christensen/Thomas Lund (Den) 3. Gunawan/Bambang Suprianto 4. Denny Kantono/S.Antonius 5. Peter Axelsson/Par Gunnar Jonsson (Swe)
Women's doubles 1. Ge Fei/Gu Jun (Chn) 2. Kim Mee-hyang/Kim Shin-young (Kor) 3. Lili Tampi/Finarsih 4. Eliza/Zelin Resiana 5. Julie Bradbury/Joanne Wright (Eng)