Indonesia secures titles in men's singles and mixed doubles

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers managed to create two all- Indonesian finals at the US$150,000 JVC Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) after winning the semifinals on Saturday at Senayan Indoor Stadium.

A major upset occurred when women's singles top seed Lee Kyung-won of South Korea suffered a humiliating defeat from host player Ellen Angelina.

Regaining his confidence after being defeated at the Sydney Olympic Games, Taufik beat India's top shuttler Pullela Gopichand 15-4, 15-12 to appease the spectators.

"I hope my good performance here can repair my image although I know it's impossible to wipeout my defeat just like that," he said in a postmatch conference.

"It's my intention to grab a title here."

Taufik said he knew Gopichand's style so it was easier for him to develop his play.

"He's a good shuttler but I know his type. I didn't take his lobs, for example," he said. "In the second game, I was distracted by the drift so he could catch up but I managed to win the match."

Meanwhile, Gopichand said: "the strokes came faster and I needed to be faster. The first game was really difficult to play. In the second game, there were many chances but I failed to take advantage of them. It's my mistake for not being patient."

Taufik, who beat Gopichand in the Malaysian Open in August, said he preferred to meet Marlev Mainaky instead of Rony Agustinus in Sunday's final.

Unfortunately, his wish did not come true as Rony crushed Marlev 15-10, 15-5 in another semifinal.

In the all-Indonesian mixed doubles semifinals, Bambang Supriyanto and Minarti Timur beat juniors Santoso Sugiharjo and Eny Widowati 15-13, 15-1 to set up a meet with top seeds Wahyu Agung and Emma Ermawati, who defeated Tri Kusharjanto and Vita Marissa 17-14, 15-3.

Women's singles top seed Lee Kyung-won bowed out humbly after losing 0-11, 4-11 to third seed Ellen Angelina of Indonesia.

"I was sure I would win the match even before it started as it was our second meet. But I didn't expect Lee to play such bad games without any resistance," Ellen said.

"In our first meeting at the 2000 Uber qualifying round, Lee was more aggressive compared to today."

Ellen will meet young Chinese starlet Xie Xinfang, who overwhelmed Japanese Fumi Iwawaki 11-0, 11-2.

"Chinese players are of the offensive type with sharp shots. I'll try to do my best because my initial goal was to make the semifinals," Ellen said.

"It's important for me to perform well in the final because I'll have a chance to compete in the Grand Prix Final."

Xie said: "I'm happy to make the final match as I was 100 percent sure that I would get here. I didn't do any special preparation to meet Ellen because I treat all my opponents the same way. The most important thing is confidence."

She said the only problem was they had never met before.

"I don't know her style yet but I don't think it's going to be a problem for me," said Xie with a smile.

Men's doubles top seeds Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah of Malaysia had to sweat it out to eliminate Candra Wijaya and Antonius Budi Ariantho of Indonesia 15-12, 15-6.

The Malaysians will meet the new host partnership of Rexy Mainaky and Tony Gunawan, who crushed juniors Imam Sodikin and Luluk Hadiyanto 15-13, 15-1.

The women's doubles final will see Indonesians Etty Tantri and Minarti Timur against Lee Hyo-jung and Yim Kyung-jin of South Korea.

Etty and Minarti had to pump up their energy to beat Lee Kyung-won and Chung Jae-hee of South Korea 15-12, 9-15, 15-13. Meanwhile Lee and Yim were pushed to the limit by Indonesian juniors Rossi Riani and Diah Novita before finally winning 7-15, 15-9, 13-15. (nvn/yan)

Results

Men's singles: Taufik Hidayat (Ina) bt Pullela Gopichand (Ind) 15-4,15-12; Rony Agustinus (Ina) bt Marleve Mainaky (Ina) 15-12,15-5

Women's singles: Ellen Angelina (Ina) bt Lee Kyung Won (Kor) 11-0, 11-4; Xie Xingfang (Chn) bt Fumi Iwawaki (Jpn) 11-0, 11-2

Men's doubles: Rexy Mainaky/Tony Gunawan (Ina) bt Imam Sodikin/Luluk Hadiyanto (Ina) 15-13, 15-1; Chong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (Mal) bt Candra Wijaya/Antonius (Ina) 15-12, 15-6

Women's doubles: Etty Tantri/Minarti Timur (Ina) bt Lee Kyung Won/Chung Jae Hae (Kor) 15-12, 9-15, 15-13; Lee Hyo Jung/Yim Kyung Jin (Kor) bt Rossi Riani/Diah Novita 15-7, 9-15, 15-13

Mixed doubles: Wahyu Agung/Emma Ermawati (Ina) bt Tri Kusharyanto/Vita Marissa (Ina) 17-14, 15-3; Bambang Supriyanto/Minarti Timur (Ina) bt Santoso Sugiharjo/Eny Widiowati (Ina) 15-11, 15-12