Johan and Taufik cruise to Singapore semis

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Johan Hadikusuma and Taufik Hidayat passed through Friday's Malaysia-dominated quarterfinals round of the US$120,000 Sunrise-Yonex Singapore Open to set up semifinals matches against two Malaysian shuttlers.

Taufik passed through Malaysian Sairul Amar Ayob quite easily despite losing the second game to seal a 7-1, 1-7, 7-0, 7-0 victory.

The world's no. 5 Taufik will then see another Malaysian, Muhammad Hafiz bin Hasim, who defeated Boonsak Polsana of Thailand 3-7, 5-7, 7-1, 7-4, 7-1 as reported by www.worldbadminton.net.

Earlier on Thursday's third-round match, Taufik had to work hard before defeating Chen Yu of China 5-7, 7-4, 6-8, 8-6, 7-1; Hasim also defeated Richard Vaughn of Wales 7-1, 7-2, 5-7, 7-1.

Meanwhile, second-stringer Johan showed an impressive performance by also cruising to the semifinals stage.

Johan had to play all out before clearing Indonesian-born Indra Wijaya, who is now playing for Singapore, 2-7, 8-6, 0-7, 7- 4, 7-1.

Johan will then see Malaysian Wong Choong Han, who prevented Indonesia's automatic place in the final stage after defeating 2000 World Grand Prix Final runner-up Marlev Mainaky 7-3, 4-7, 7- 1, 7-2.

Meanwhile, Chinese shuttlers dominated the women's singles semifinals by placing three players, leaving the fourth place to Malaysian Ng Mee Fen, who defeated Indonesia's Yuli Marfuah 7-5, 7-0, 7-5.

Ng will challenge Zhang Ning, who defeated world's no.4 Camilla Martin of Denmark 2-7, 7-1, 7-5, 7-1.

In the other semifinals match, Dai Yun will challenge compatriot Gong Zhichao who is seeded second in the event. Dai easily crushed compatriot Tang Chunjue 7-3, 7-0, 7-0. Meanwhile Gong lost the first game before easily crushing Japanese Kaori Morii 5-7, 7-1, 7-1, 7-0.

Once again, Indonesia cleared the possibility of grabbing the men's doubles title, sending Indonesian Open winners Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto and compatriots World Champions Tony Gunawan and Halim Haryanto to the semifinals.

Top seeds Tony and Halim defeated Martin Lundgaard Hansen and Lars Paaske of Denmark 5-7, 7-2, 7-1, 7-5 to see Pramote Teerawiwatan and Tesana Panvisvas of Thailand. Pramote and Tesana defeated Michael Logosz and Robert Mateusiak of Poland 7-0, 7-1, 5-7, 7-2.

In the lower leg, second seeds Indonesian Open winners Candra and Sigit will then face Malaysian Chew Choon Eng and Chan Chong Min after defeating Chinese Liu Yong Chen Qiqiu 7-4, 7-1, 7-5. Meanwhile, the Malaysians outplayed the Danish pair of Jens Eriksson and Jesper Larsen 7-4, 7-1, 7-4.

Indonesia also secured another semifinals berth in the women's doubles after Eny Erlangga and Novita defeated Malaysian Norhasikin Amin and Wong Pei Tty 8-6, 7-2, 7-4. The Indonesians will then challenge top seeds Wei Yili and Zhang Jiewen of China.

In the lower leg, there is another Chinese pair of Zhang Yawen and Zhaon Tingting who will face second seeds Rikke Olsen and Helene Kirkegard.

In the mixed doubles event, Denmark's and China's pairs occupied all the semifinals places.

World Grand Prix Final winners Jens Erikssen and Mette Schjoldager of Denmark will see Chinese Chen Qiqiu and Chen Lin. In the lower leg, Liu Yong and Zhang Jiewen will see second seeds Michael Sogaard and Rikke Olsen. (nvn)