India's Gopichand survives Sony's test

India's Gopichand survives Sony's test

JAKARTA (JP): All England men's singles champion Pullela
Gopichand of India survived a quarterfinals test on Friday over
host newcomer Sony Dwi Kuncoro in a tough match in the US$170,000
Sanyo Indonesian Open at the Bung Karno Indoor Stadium.

Sony, the Asian Junior Championships runner-up, took the first
two games 7-3, 7-0 easily before suffering a drop in stamina
giving a chance to the second seed Gopichand to bounce back and
win the remaining three games 7-4, 7-5, 7-3.

Dominating the court, Gopichand sent the 17-year-old Sony all
over the court but failed to grab more points especially when
both shuttlers were engaged in netting play. Gopichand seemed
reluctant to smash and sent long lobs instead. Support from
nearly 1,500 spectators also helped Sony to remain motivated.

"Sony is a really good shuttler. He put me under pressure with
fast play in our first two games. I also made too many unforced
errors," Gopichand told a post-match conference.

"In the third game, I noticed that he was very exhausted and
so took the offensive. I saved my energy in the first two games
with long rallies. However, we had a very tough match today."

Sony said he started to underestimate his Indian opponent
after leading 2-0.

"I was very surprised to learn how easy it was to lead 2-0 and
I thought I should loosen my grip when I was leading 4-1 in the
third game. But Gopichand managed to win point after point, which
really shocked me," he said.

"Entering the fourth game, I lost my confidence and was unable
to play at my best. Maybe I wasn't mentally ready to be such a
success."

Despite the defeat, Sony said it was his biggest achievement
so far and he was very lucky to be able to challenge world class
shuttlers including Richard Vaughan of Wales and Gopichand.

World ranked eight Gopichand will challenge another Indonesian
Marlev Mainaky, who easily defeated Agus Harianto of Hong Kong 7-
5, 7-3, 7-4.

In another semifinals match, Lee Hyung-il of South Korea will
meet Lee Tsuen Seng of Malaysia. The Korean top seed defeated
Malaysian James Chua 7-3, 1-7, 7-4, 7-3.

Lee Tsuen Seng, runner up at the Swiss Open earlier this year,
had to use up all his energy to overcome Colin Haughton of
England 7-3, 7-8, 2-7, 7-2, 7-2.

Women's singles top seed Wang Chen of Hong Kong cruised to the
semifinals after outclassing Ng Mee Fen of Malaysia 7-4, 7-4, 7-
0. Wang will meet host Cindana Hartono who beat Japanese Mika
Anjo 7-0, 7-3, 7-0.

Indonesia has already secured a place in the final as second
seed Lidya Djaelawidjaya will be challenged by compatriot Ellen
Angelina in Saturday's semifinals.

Lidya defeated Louisa Koon Wai Chee of Hong Kong 7-4, 5-7, 3-
7, 7-2, 7-1 and Ellen crushed Japanese Maiko Naka 7-4, 7-2, 7-1.

The host crowd was stunned when top mixed doubles pair Bambang
Suprianto and Minarti Timur were ousted by fifth seeds Nathan
Robertson and Gail Emms of England 7-4, 7-3, 5-7, 7-4.

"Bambang and Minarti were one of our hurdles to reach the
finals. But I will just take it match by match and concentrate on
the semifinals where we will meet another strong Indonesian
pair," Emms said after the match.

Robertson and Emms will then face Tri Kusheryanto and Emma
Ermawati, who upset third seeds Michael Lamp and Ann Lou
Jorgensen of Denmark 7-5, 7-0, 7-4.

Host's second seeds Nova Widhianto and Vita Marissa cruised to
the semifinals and will face Danish pair, fourth seeds Frederik
Bergstrom and Jenny Karlson.

World champions Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto were lucky
enough to cruise to the semifinals when Bambang and Tri, playing
in the men's doubles, had to retire due to Bambang's injured
ankle while leading 1-0 in the third game. Bambang and Tri were
ahead 7-5, 7-2 in the first two games.

Tony and Halim will meet compatriots Davis Efraim and Karel
Mainaky who defeated Malaysian fourth seeds Che Hong Ma and Kwun
Yuen Yau 1-7, 8-7, 7-5, 7-4, 7-2. (nvn)