Indonesia gets foursome into quarters

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia's hopes for the men's singles title remained alive with four of its six players winning their third round matches on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Indonesian Open in Surabaya, East Java.

The promising run made amends for the host's woeful performance in the women's field, with none of its female contenders advancing further.

Taufik Hidayat succeeded in stopping Chen Yu of China 15-8, 15-7 at the Kertajaya Sports Hall to cruise to the quarterfinals.

The other three Indonesians reaching the quarterfinals were Roni Agustinus, Soni Dwi Kuncoro and Taufik Hidayat Akbar.

Christian Hadinata, training director of the Indonesian team, said that he had expected his proteges' success. "We have been determined for a long time that the men's singles title must be won. With four through to the quarterfinals, the chance have become better," he said as quoted by satusports.com.

Roni had a tough time against Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia in the first set before scraping to a 15-14, 15-9 victory.

Soni had a fright in his game against Yeoh Kay Bin, also from Malaysia. After winning the first set 15-11, Soni faltered in the second to lose 4-15, before coming back with a 15-7 win.

Akbar chalked up the most surprising result as he disposed of his senior, fellow Indonesian Marlev Mainaky, 15-2, 15-2.

"The key to victory was that I played relaxedly while Marleve put in a rather scrappy game," Akbar said. However, he is set for stiff opposition in the semifinals from fourth seed Bao Chunlai, a 15-8, 11-15, 15-7 winner over Agus Haryanto of Hong Kong.

The other semifinal matches will pit Taufik against Ayob Syairul Amar of Malaysia, Roni against tenth seed Polsana Boonsak of Thailand and Soni against Chen Hong of China.

Ayob was extended to three sets in his 15-6, 11-15, 15-7 win over third seed Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark.

Boonsak had an easy game against Wei Ng of Hong Kong, winning 15-5, 15-2, while 2002 Singapore Open champion Hong overcame Indonesia's Budi Santoso 15-11, 15-8.

However, Indonesia's hopes in the women's field suffered a setback with Yuli Marfuah, Lidya Djaelawijaya and Atu Rosalina all exiting in the second round on Wednesday.

Dewi Tira Arisandi was added to the host's victim list, going down easily to Gong Ruina of China 11-1, 11-1.