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)