Indra has slim chance in Copenhagen Masters

Indra has slim chance in Copenhagen Masters

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's men's singles shuttler Indra Wijaya
was left with a slim chance of going through to the 1998
Copenhagen Masters final after one victory and one defeat on
Sunday.

The Copenhagen Masters runs until Dec. 31.

Team manager Hadi Nasri said in his facsimile that Indra --
who has been absent from major tournaments lately due to his poor
form -- defeated Malaysian Yong Hock Kin 15-11, 15-11 in the
first session but lost to world number one Peter Gade Christensen
6-15, 6-15 in the second session.

In his first match, Indra took control from the beginning but
sometimes gave away critical points. Experience and better
technical skills helped Indra to fight back and win the match.

But in the second session, Gade Christensen took control and
put Indra under immediate pressure. The 26-year-old Indonesian
failed to fight back and lost easily to the Dane.

Hadi said that Indra must learn to control his emotions and
maintain his consistency and concentration during a match.

"Indra's technical skills were better than Hock Kin's but he
lost some points due to his unforced errors," he said.

Indonesia is sending Indra -- replacing world number five
Hendrawan who was still not well after the 13th Asian Games in
Bangkok, women's singles player Mia Audina and men's doubles
pairing Ricky Ahmad Subagja and Antonius.

Ricky's partner, Rexy Ronald Mainaky, missed the tournament
because he wanted to celebrate Christmas with his family after
winning Asiad gold medals in the men's doubles and men's team
events.

Indra must wait for the result between Hock Kin and Gade
Christensen to know if he qualifies for the finals.

In group 2, Swede Tomas Johansson defeated the 1996 Olympic
gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark but lost to
Chinese world champion Sun Jun.

In the women's singles, Zheng Jaqiong of China defeated Kelly
Morgan of Wales while compatriot Zhang Ning beat Mette Sorensen
of Denmark.

In the men's doubles, host duo of Michael Soogard/Jim Laugesen
defeated the British pairing of Chris Hunt/Simon Archer while the
Chinese partnership of Zhang Wei/Zhang Jun beat Pang Cheh
Chang/Cheah Soon Thoe of Malaysia.

Unfortunately, the results of those matches were unavailable.

Mia and Ricky/Antonius will play Monday. (yan)