Indonesia's Jeffer to challenge champ Hoyer-Larsen in W. Cup

By Primastuti Handayani

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's rookie Jeffer Rosobin surprisingly overcame Lee Kwan-jin, a member of the South Korea Thomas Cup team, in the Sanyo World Cup Badminton Championships at the Senayan Indoor Stadium here yesterday.

The 20-year-old Jeffer won 15-6, 15-8 in a round-robin match of the US$190,000 tournament, which was dominated by rally from baseline playing.

"I didn't expect to win that quick. I thought I would have to fight in a rubber set," Jeffer told a post-match conference.

"Lee's net was not very good. That's why I always tried to kill him in the front area," he added.

Jeffer, who won the Asia Cup in Surabaya, East Java this year, expected to cruise to the semifinals. He is to challenge Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark today.

"Of course, I want to beat him. He's the Olympic champ and this is my best opportunity," said Jeffer, who only prepared himself one week prior to the match.

Hoyer-Larsen, who beat Jeroen van Dijk of the Netherlands 15- 8, 15-3, is also expected to meet Jeffer.

"Jeffer is a good player. It's going to be difficult to beat him because it's his home country and he's used to the facilities here," he said.

"I know he wants to beat me, but I'll try my best," he added.

Both Hoyer-Larsen and Jeffer responded well to the new system, which allows coaches to give instructions to the players in the middle of each game.

"I think the new system gives advantages to all players because they can drink, freshen up, and discuss things with the coach," he said.

"It's also good for TV commercials, because advertising is important," he added.

Jeffer said that the 90-second interval at point eight gave him a chance to take a break.

"It's good. We can communicate with our coach," he said.

Indonesia's badminton queen Susi Susanti, who just won the World Grand Prix Finals title for the sixth time, easily beat P. Plungwech of Thailand 11-5, 11-2.

Alan Budikusuma, the 1992 Olympic gold medalist who is to marry Susi early next year, beat Soren B. Nielsen of Denmark 15- 12, 15-5.

Ricky Subagja, one of Indonesia's Olympic gold medalists and Rexy Mainaky's partner, had to pull out of the championship due to an injury during yesterday's practice.

Iwan Setiawan, the Badminton Association of Indonesia's official, told reporters that Ricky injured his right ankle during a practice Tuesday morning.

Sigit

"Ricky has been replaced by rookie Sigit Budiarto, who partners Chandra Wijaya in men's doubles," he said.

Rexy said Ricky was injured when he was playing basketball with Trikus Heryanto, who partners Minarti Timur in the mixed doubles.

Rexy/Sigit won easily against Chris Hunt/Simon Archer of England 15-6, 15-5.

They displayed good coordination, in spite of never having been partners in a tournament before.

Trikus, finalist of the Grand Prix Finals, had injured his toe during the World Grand Prix Finals' semifinals match in Bali last week.

But Trikus and Minarti had been able to cruise to the finals, although they lost to Danish duo Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen.

In the US$190,000 tournament, Trikus has been replaced by newcomer Sandiarto, who partners Ema Ermawati.

Coach Imelda Wiguna, a former doubles player, said Trikus was better than Sandiarto in strokes.

Sandiarto/Minarti beat Thomas Stavngaard/Ann Jorgensen of Denmark 15-8, 15-3.

Selected results

Men's singles: Alan Budikusuma (Ina) v Soren B Nielsen (Den) 15-12, 15-5 Ong Ewe Hock (Mas) v Martin Lundgaard Hansen (Den) 15-12, 15-7 Chen Gang (Chn) v Darren Hall (Gbr) 15-10, 11-15, 4-15 Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (Den) v Jeroen van Dijk (Ned) 15-8, 15-3 Lee Kwan-jin (Kor) v Jeffer Rosobin (Ina) 6-15, 8-15 Dong Jiong (Chn) v Oliver Pongratz (Ger) 15-11, 15-6 Park Sung-woo (Kor) v Jens Olsson (Swe) 13-15, 15-8, 14-17

Women's singles: Wang Chen (Chn) v Takako Ida (Jpn) 11-1, 11-7 Ye Zhaoying (Chn) v Hisako Mizui (Jpn) 7-11, 11-6, 11-2 Susi Susanti (Ina) v P Plungwech (Tha) 11-5, 11-2

Men's doubles: Sigit Budiarto/Rexy Mainaky (Ina) v Chris Hunt/Simon Archer (Gbr) 15-6, 15-5

Mixed doubles: Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (Den) v Nick Ponting/Joanne Goode (Gbr) 15-9, 15-3 Sandiarto/Minarti Timur (Ina) v Thomas Stavngaard/Ann Jorgensen (Den) 15-8, 15-3