Hoyer-Larsen meets Dong in GP Finals semis

JAKARTA (JP): So close but yet so far. Hermawan Susanto was on the verge of qualifying for the semifinals of the 1997 Lipton World Grand Prix Badminton Finals at the Senayan Indoor Stadium yesterday but the 1996 Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer- Larsen of Denmark buried his dream.

Hermawan, world ranked 10, lost 13-15, 15-7, 15-8 in the 57- minute match to world ranked three Hoyer-Larsen.

The semifinals will be aired live on RCTI at 5 p.m.

"In the first set, I could attack him because I still had my speed. Unfortunately, when I led 13-8, he won some points and I had to work even harder to win the first set," Hermawan told a post-match press conference.

"In the second set, I could not move so fast and Poul-Erik started to find his form. His attack was really unpredictable. In the third set, he didn't rush to win but still attacked me remorselessly. I failed to return the shuttlecock as I moved slower."

"His netting was really close and he rarely made unforced errors, probably only about 10 percent of his performance tonight."

Hermawan said that although he had performed to his best, he was not satisfied with his poor form.

"If I still have a chance to play next year, I hope I can do much better," said the Malaysia Open winner.

Hoyer-Larsen said the match was tough because Hermawan put him under pressure from the beginning.

"I made a few mistakes in the first set. He was five points ahead when leading 13-8. Then I could trail 13-14 but I failed to equalize and he won the set," said the 31-year-old shuttler.

"In the second set, he got more tired and I believed I could win the match because I still kept up my good speed. I just tried not to allow him to get points."

Hoyer-Larsen will meet Dong Jiong of China, who beat the World Champion Peter Rasmussen of Denmark 15-4, 15-6 in 34 minutes, in today's semifinals.

In the other semifinal, Sun Jun, who beat Hariyanto Arbi of Indonesia 4-15, 15-13, 15-7, will meet Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark, who beat Luo Yigang of China 17-16, 15-7.

Women's world ranked four Susi Susanti of Indonesia beat Dai Yun of China 11-4, 12-10 in 35 minutes to get a berth in the women's singles semis.

Susi, who is aiming to win her seventh title in the tournament, will meet world ranked two Gong Zhichao of China, who defeated Marina Andrievskaya of Sweden 11-4, 11-2, today.

Unfortunately, Indonesia's young hope Mia Audina failed to tame Camilla Martin of Denmark, losing 12-11, 4-11, 8-11.

"What can I say? It's just a game. Somebody may lose or win. I've prepared myself very well but I was a bit nervous tonight. However, I have to admit that Camilla performed really well," Mia told reporters.

"I should have won the match but I couldn't. I planned to give a present to my boyfriend but I failed. Maybe I'm still tired because I had to play a rubber set yesterday (against Wang Chen of China)."

Mia's boyfriend is Tylio Lobman, who is a member of the Holland-based Next Generation band.

"I support her no matter what is the results. She's 18 and has all the future ahead. Of course, she has to practice harder," said Lobman, who accompanied Mia at her press conference.

Martin said that she was very pleased with her performance.

"But I got trouble with the wind in the second set, that's why I lost it. I didn't expect to go this far in the tournament because I've been absent for two months due to my back injury," she said.

Chinese Wang Chen took the advantage of Mia's loss to go through to the semifinals to meet her compatriot Ye Zhaoying. Ye gave a lesson to young Chinese shuttler Yao Yan 11-2, 11-3.

Results

Men's singles: Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (Den) bt Hermawan Susanto (Ina) 13-15, 15- 7, 15-8 Dong Jiong (Chn) bt Peter Rasmussen (Den) 15-4, 15-6 Sun Jun (Chn) bt Hariyanto Arbi (Ina) 4-15, 15-13, 15-7 Peter Gade Christensen (Den) bt Luo Yigang (Chn) 17-16, 15-7 Indra Wijaya (Ina) bt Chen Gang (Chn) 15-3, 15-9 Marlev Mainaky (Ina) bt Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen (Den) 15-7, 15-11 Budi Santoso (Ina) bt Alan Budikusuma (Ina) 15-9, 15-1 Hendrawan (Ina) bt Ardy B Wiranata (Ina) 8-15, 15-7, 15-8

Women's singles: Susi Susanti (Ina) bt Dai Yun (Chn) 11-4, 12-10 Camilla Martin (Den) bt Mia Audina (Ina) 11-12, 11-4, 11-8 Gong Zhichao (Chn) bt Marina Andrievskaya (Swe) 11-4, 11-2 Ye Zhaoying (Chn) bt Yao Yan (Chn) 11-2, 11-3

Men's doubles: Jens Eriksen/Jesper Larsen (Den) bt Antonius/Denny Kantono (Ina) 15-8, 15-13 Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock (Mal) bt Hermono/Eng Hian (Ina) 15- 11, 15-10

Women's doubles: Indarti Issoliana/Deyana Lomban (Ina) bt Haruko Matsuda/Yoshiko Iwata (Jpn) 15-12, 15-7 Qin Yiyuan/Tang Yongshu (Chn) bt Eliza/Zelin Resiana (Ina) 15-7, 15-3 Qiang Hong/Liu Lu (Chn) bt Ge Fei/Gu Jun (Chn) 15-7, 4-15, 11-15

Mixed doubles: Bambang Suprianto/Riseu Rosalina (Ina) bt Jens Eriksen/Marlene Thomsen (Den) 15-6, 15-8 Tri Kusharjanto/Minarti Timur (Ina) bt Imam Tohari/Emma Ermawati (Ina) 15-5, 15-8 Liu Yong/Ge Fei (Chn) bt Michael Soogard/Rikke Olsen (Den) 9-15, 15-8, 15-3 Sandiarto/Finarsih (Ina) bt Chris Hunt/Donna Kellog (Gbr) WO (due to stomach bug)