Indra upsets Dong, Ong beats Hariyanto

By Primastuti Handayani

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Indra Wijaya upset first seeded and defending champion Dong Jiong of China 13-15, 15-12, 15-13 yesterday to go through to the semifinals of the 1997 Sanyo World Cup badminton championships at Among Rogo sports hall here.

But compatriot Hariyanto Arbi, winner of the Singapore Open, lost to Malaysia's Ong Ewe Hock 0-15, 5-15 and failed to get a berth in the semis.

Indra, a finalist at the Singapore Open, made too many unforced errors in critical points in the first game and lost 13- 15.

In the second game, Dong led 10-4.

Dong kept the lead until 12-9 when the Indonesian fought his way to tie the score at 12-12. His jumping smash ended the game 15-12.

In the decider, Dong led most of the way until 12-10.

Indra, with the frenzied crowd of 3,000 behind him, fought back to equal at 12-12. Dong took the lead again but Indra's hard work for the game to deuce 13-13.

Indra gained the first point but it took six service changes before he humbled the hardheaded Dong.

The winning point was an anticlimax after the battle when Dong's return went out of court.

Coach Indra Gunawan tried to hold back his tears of happiness.

"My win against Dong was not really a surprise because I had prepared a strategy to fight him. But compared to my win at the Grand Prix Finals in Bali last year, this victory means a lot to me. It was harder here," said Indra, who has been inspired by the success of his younger brother Candra Wijaya.

Candra and men's doubles partner Sigit Budiarto are the world champions.

Indra will meet veteran Joko Suprianto, who defeated Gopichand of India 15-6, 15-7, today.

Former world champion Hariyanto gave the worst performance of his career as he lost 0-15, 5-15 to Ong.

"I don't know what's wrong with me but I lost my feeling during the match," Hariyanto, nicknamed Hari, said. "But I will get my revenge at the SEA Games."

The SEA Games will be held in Jakarta from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19.

Ong said: "I played my game well, but Hari made many mistakes."

Ong will meet Sun Jun of China, who defeated Soren B Nielsen of Denmark 15-5, 15-1, in today's semifinals.

"I have a 50-50 chance against Sun, but tonight I will discuss my match strategy with my coach."

In the women's singles, Meiluawati worked Ye hard in the first game before finally losing the match 9-11, 11-3, 11-2.

Results

Men's singles: Indra Wijaya (Ina) v Dong Jiong (Chn) 13-15, 15-12, 15-13; Ong Ewe Hock (Mal) v Hariyanto Arbi (Ina) 15-0, 15-5; Joko Suprianto (Ina) v Gopichand (Ind) 15-6, 15-7; Thomas Johansson (Swe) v Luo Yigang (Chn) 17-16, 15-10; Sun Jun (Chn) v Soren B Nielsen (Den) 15-5, 15-1; Ardy Wiranata (Ina) v Tam Kai Chuen (Hkg) 15-2, 15-4; Martin Lundgaard Hansen (Den) v Jeroen van Dijk (Ned) 15-8, 6-2 (ret); Darren Hall (Gbr) v Hwang Sun-ho (Kor) WO

Women's singles: Ye Zhaoying (Chn) v Meiluawati (Ina) 9-11, 11-3, 11-2; Susi Susanti (Ina) v Wang Chen (Chn) 11-6, 11-7; Kim Ji-hyun (Kor) v Marina Andrievskaya (Swe) 11-4, 11-3; Lee Joo-hyun (Kor) v Pornsawan Plungwech (Tha) 11-7, 11-1

Men's doubles: Sigit Budiarto/Candra Wijaya (Ina) v Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (Mal) 15-7, 15-13; Ricky Subagdja/Rexy Mainaky (Ina) v Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong-sung (Kor) 15-6, 15-7

Women's doubles: Ge Fei/Hu Jun (Chn) v Indarti Issoliana/Finarsih (Ina) 15-6, 15-2; Qin Yiyuan/Tang Yongshu (Chn) v Elysa/Zelin Resiana (Ina) 12-15, 15-11, 15-4

Mixed doubles: Imam Tohari/Emma Ermawati (Ina) v Par Gunnar Johnsson/ Catrine Bengtsson (Swe) 17-14, 15-11; Flandy Limpele/Risyeu Rosalina (Ina) v Michael Keck/Erica van den Heuvel (Ger/Ned) 15-13, 11-15, 15-13