Indonesia faces China in Thomas Cup final

By Primastuti Handayani

KUALA LUMPUR (JP): The 8,000 spectators at the Putra Indoor Stadium here Friday burst into jubilation as Marlev Mainaky's smash hit the center of Kenneth Jonassen's court to take Indonesia to the Thomas Cup championship final against China on Sunday.

Defending champion Indonesia overcame Denmark, another favorite, 3-2 in a very tense do-or-die match turning the Putra stadium into another Senayan.

Third singles Marlev, who is expecting to be a father for the first time, managed to control his emotion in a very tense match against Jonassen before winning it 15-14, 15-13.

"I was too careful in the beginning of the first game and it resulted in too many unforced errors. I will be prepared to become the decider in Sunday's final."

China defeated South Korea 3-1 Thursday to book its berth in the championship match against Indonesia.

Indonesia opened its victory by surprisingly partnering Rexy Mainaky and Tony Gunawan as the first doubles. They easily toppled world number eight pair of Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Lars Paaske 15-7, 15-3 in only 27 minutes.

"I think the Danish pair were unprepared for my partnership with Kak (big brother) Rexy. They seemed very tense and unable to perform their best as they might have had they faced me and Candra," said Tony.

Despite his first partnership with Rexy, Tony said it was not a big problem for him as they usually partnered during training at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

"The 0-1 down and supporters boosted our motivation to give our best effort," said Rexy, who directly called his children after the match.

Teenage sensation Taufik Hidayat, performing before parents and former coach Iie Sumirat, managed to fulfill his mission by overcoming the 1996 Olympic Games gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer- Larsen 15-11, 15-9 in 49 minutes.

"I think Poul-Erik was not at his best form, maybe because of his age and stamina. He was inconsistent from the beginning. He looked very emotional and I kept the pressure on him," said Taufik, who defeated Hoyer-Larsen for the second time.

"I had a responsibility to win and I got very tense in the beginning when I was down 2-6. But I managed to overcome the pressure with so much support behind me."

Soon after the match, Taufik apologized to the 34-year-old Dane for his purposeful attitude on court.

Maestros

The defeat of Hendrawan, world number two, by world number one Peter Gade Christensen, was a sensational match between two badminton maestros.

The 87-minute match was toughly fought with the lead seesawing between both players. Hendrawan's neat netting and Gade Christensen's leaping smashes were spectacular. Their head-to- head is now 2-1 for the Dane.

As the grueling contest wore on, Hendrawan, who will turn 28 next month, began to struggle with his fitness especially in the decisive third game.

"That is the best I could give to my country. I was disappointed after I failed to win the second game because that was my very best chance to win," Hendrawan told the press.

"I didn't play under pressure. I think Peter was more tense as I enjoyed the spectators support. It's a matter of luck."

"I lost my touch in the third game when he was leading 8-5 but I regained my confidence when the score was 14-9 and I managed to narrow 11-14. Unfortunately, it was too far to catch up. If only he was only leading 12-11, I still had a second chance to win."

"Peter knew that he must expend my energy in the third game. He did that. I have to admit that my physical fitness was not as good as his."

The second doubles of Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto, the 1997 world champion, spoiled a good chance to win after leading 15-8 in the first game and 10-5 in the second game against world number four Jens Eriksen and Jesper Larsen.

Sigit, playing for Indonesia for the first time since the ban, was unable to handle the pressure as he made numerous unforced errors in the second game before losing 15-17.

In the do-or-die match, both doubles tied 16-16 but it was not too be. The Danes won 17-16 with a gutsy performance, setting up the heroics of Marlev.

Results

Indonesia 3, Denmark 2: Tony Gunawan/Rexy Mainaky (Ina) bt Martin Lundgaard-Hansen/Lars Paaske (Den) 15-7, 15-3; Taufik Hidayat (Ina) bt Poul-Erik Hoyer (Den) 15-11, 15-9; Peter Gade (Den) bt Hendrawan (Ina) 12-15, 17-16, 15-11; Jesper Larsen/Jens Eriksen (Den) bt Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto (Ina) 8-15, 17-15, 17-16; Marleve Mainaky (Ina) bt Kenneth Jonassen (Den) 15-14, 15-13.