Indonesian shuttlers set to sweep finals

Indonesian shuttlers set to sweep finals

BANGKOK (Reuter): Indonesian players look certain to dominate the US$300,000 World Grand Prix Badminton finals starting today, with Ardy Wiranata heading the men's singles and Susi Susanti the women's.

Besides Ardy, a key member of Indonesia's winning 1994 Thomas Cup side, no less than six Indonesian men have qualified for the finals, the tournament with the biggest cash shareout in the history of badminton.

They include Asian Games gold medalist Hariyanto Arbi, Thailand Open champion Joko Suprianto and Barcelona Olympics gold medalist Alan Budikusuma.

In the singles, players have been divided into four round- robin groups after which the top two of each group will advance to the next round.

Indonesia swept four titles through Hariyanto, Susi, men's doubles of Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky and women's doubles team of Lili Tampi and Finarsih in Kuala Lumpur last year. The world strongest badminton powerhouse contested All-Indonesian affairs in the men's singles, men's doubles and women's doubles finals.

Groups:

Men's singles: Group A: Joko Suprianto (Ina), Dong Jiong (Chn), Fung Permadi (Ina), Jeroen van Dijk (Ned) Group B: Ardy Wiranata (Ina), Paul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (Den), Lioe Tiong Ping (Ina), Sompol Kukasemkiij (Tha) Group C: Hariyanto Arbi (Ina), Hermawan Susanto (Ina), Jens Olssen (Swe), Hu Zhilan (Chi) Group D: Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen (Den), Alan Budikusuma (Ina), Sun Jun (Chn), Vacharaphan Khamthong (Tha)

Women's Singles: Group A: Susi Susanti (Ina), Liu Yuhong (Chi), Pornsawan Plangvech (Tha) Group B: Lim Xiaoqing (Swe), Han Jingna (Chi), Mia Audina (Ina) Group C: Ye Zhaoying (Chi), Christine Magnusson (Swe), Yuliani Sentosa (Ina) Group D: Camilla Martin (Den), Ra Kyung-min (Kor), Somharuethai Charoensiri (Tha)

The Dec. 7-11 finals at Bangkok's Hua Mark stadium will also feature men's and women's and mixed doubles competitions.