Indonesia, China share glory in Asian tourney
JAKARTA (JP): World-class players assured Indonesia and China one title apiece at the US$150,000 JVC Asian Badminton Championships on Saturday.
It came as no surprise that the Indonesian men's doubles players have set up a final between them, while the men's singles final will see an all-Chinese affair on Sunday.
The veteran tandem of Bambang Suprianto and Tri Kusheryanto are lined up for the title after coming through a relatively easy match against second-string compatriots Alven Yulianto and Hendra A. Gunawan, which they won 15-4, 15-9.
Bambang and Tri, who rarely play as a team, will try their luck when they face Sydney Olympics gold medalists Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan, who defeated the only Chinese pair left in the draw, Chen Rui and Wang Wei, 15-4, 17-14.
Tony said there was a lapse in his teamwork with Candra at the end of the game that allowed the younger Chinese to claw back into the game.
"We had a 14-9 lead in the second game but the Chinese managed to reverse the pressure on us when we played so hastily and were prone to mistakes," Tony told The Jakarta Post on the phone from Manila.
He refused to take the final lightly.
"Candra and I cannot afford to let our guard down because Mas Bambang and Tri are good shuttlers despite being older than us."
"We must not underestimate the older pair but the most important thing is we have already secured the title. The rest is up to us in the court," he added.
In the men's singles, newcomer Lin Dan cruised to the final to meet compatriot third seed Xia Xuanze.
Lin was coming from behind before posting a 3-15, 15-11, 15-7 victory over Shon Seung-mo of South Korea. On the other hand, Xia had an easy 15-7, 15-8 win against Indonesian-born Indra Wijaya, who is now playing for Singapore.
China and Indonesia will also lock horns in the women's doubles crown, while Indonesia has another hope in the mixed doubles.
Top seeds Gao Ling and Huang Sui were too powerful when they outclassed second-stringers Eny Erlangga and Novita 15-5, 15-3.
Gao and Huang will be challenged by Indonesia's most seasoned pair of Deyana Lomban and Vita Marissa who had to work hard before beating Zhao Tingting and Zhang Yawen of China 15-11, 11- 15, 15-12.
Bambang has another chance of winning a title, pairing with Minarti Timur to beat compatriots Tri Kusheryanto and Emma Ermawati 15-4, 15-11 and to set up a final with first seeds Kim Dong-moon and Ra Kyung-min of South Korea.
Kim and Ra were forced to fight to the end before beating Tony and Vita Marissa 12-15, 15-13, 15-9.
"I was too tired after playing the men's doubles semifinals match. Besides, it's my first time to play in a mixed doubles match," said Tony of his loss in the mixed doubles.
"We were able to take the first game because I was always in the front with Vita behind me, so I guess Kim and Ra were quite shocked with this style. It is also my position in the men's doubles.
"But in mixed doubles, the men usually stay behind with the women to stand near the net," he added.
In the women's singles, top seed Wang Chen of Hong Kong fended off a persistent challenge from Dong Fang of China to seal a hard-earned 5-11, 11-1, 11-4 victory.
In the final, Wang will play another Chinese, Zhang Ning, who easily disposed of Ling Wa Ting of Hong Kong 11-2, 11-3. (nvn)