Indonesian Hendrawan, Budi survive in Thailand Open

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian top seed Hendrawan and compatriot Budi Santoso survived in their quarterfinals tests at the Thailand Open in Bangkok on Thursday.

Hendrawan, ranked third in the world, had to sweat it out before finally overcoming young Malaysian shuttler Hashim Hafiz 15-6, 7-15, 15-4.

Coach Agus Dwi Santoso said in a telephone interview: "Hendrawan lost his concentration, especially in the second game. Besides, Hashim's defense was really solid.

The 28-year-old Indonesian had earlier eliminated home favorite Anuphap Thiraratskul 15-2, 15-17, 15-12 Wednesday evening after winning over Michael Popov of Bulgaria 15-8, 15-10 in the first round.

Hendrawan, Indonesia's hero in the Thomas Cup championships in Kuala Lumpur in May, will face fifth seeded Chen Hong.

Budi Santoso successfully buried Thai shuttler Narapol Sarawan's dream to reach the quarters by winning 15-10, 15-8. On Wednesday, Budi had to call on his energy reserves to overcome Malaysian old hand Ong Ewe Hock 17-15, 17-16.

Budi, whose world ranking has dropped to 33, earlier beat Hidetaka Yamada of Japan 15-2, 15-10.

Runner-up in the Indonesia Open in 1998 and 1999, he is scheduled to meet second seed and All England winner Xia Xuanze of China.

But two other Indonesian shuttlers had to return to the bench as they lost in the second round Wednesday.

Second stringer Ronny Agustinus -- who survived his first test against Shinya Otsuka of Japan 15-7, 10-15, 15-6 -- bowed out to Fung Permadi, an Indonesian playing for China Taipei, in the second round 15-9, 15-10.

Meanwhile, Johan Hadikusuma lost to world number 11 Luo Yigang of China 2-15, 11-15 after he had defeated Tam Kai Chuen of Hong Kong 15-9, 15-11 in the first round.

In the women's singles, Indonesia's sole hope Ellen Angelina failed to reach the second round after succumbing to seventh seed Yasuko Misui of Japan 10-13, 11-9, 2-11.

Indonesian men's doubles Sigit Budiarto and Halim Heryanto also managed to reach the third round after crushing the young Malaysian pair Jeremy Gan and Hong Chieng Hun 15-4, 17-14. They were scheduled to meet Daniel Shirley and John Gordon of New Zealand late Thursday.

Team manager Imelda Wigoeno told us by fax that Halim was very nervous during the second game and made unforced errors. Luckily Sigit, relying on his experience on the world stage, took the initiative to keep attacking and accelerating the rhythm of the game before finally winning the match. (yan)