Indonesia dominates Malaysia Open

Indonesia dominates Malaysia Open

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia cemented its supremacy in the
badminton world by sweeping three titles at the US$180,000
Malaysian Open in Johor Baru yesterday, a precise repetition of
last year's feat.

World champion and top seed Joko Suprianto silenced the
jeering crowd with a 15-3, 15-5 trouncing over home favorite and
three-time winner Rashid Sidek in the most awaited duel. Joko had
been benched when he was tipped to meet Rashid in the Thomas Cup
men's team final last May.

Being the lone Indonesian men's singles semifinalist on
Saturday, Joko produced a face saving, hard-earned win over
Malaysian number two Ong Ewe Hock 3-15, 15-4, 15-8. Indonesia's
star-studded squad made up of Olympic gold medalist Alan
Budikusuma, Hendrawan and Hermawan Susanto crashed out of the
quarterfinals while defending champion Ardy Wiranata was sent
packing in the preliminaries.

In the women's singles, world number one Susi Susanti once
again tamed her old rival Ye Zhaoying of China 11-3, 11-8 on the
way to retaining her title.

World crack pair of Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky joined the
victory celebration after beating surprising finalists Sakrapee
Thongsari and Pramote Teerawiwatana of Thailand 15-5, 18-16. The
Thais had dumped the top seeded and world number one Indonesian
duo of Bambang Suprianto and Rudy Gunawan in Saturday's
semifinals. (amd)