Joko survives scare as Hariyanto storms
Joko survives scare as Hariyanto storms
HIROSHIMA, Japan (AFP): Top seed Joko Suprianto and fellow-
Indonesian Hariyanto Arbi cut contrasting paths into the men's
singles finals of Asian Games badminton here yesterday to stay on
course for a title clash.
World number one Joko, 27, found a timely second wind to
overcome Chinese dangerman Lin Liwen 15-2, 10-15, 15-2 in a hot
and humid Tsumuro Memorial Gymnasium.
Joko, last year's world and Grand Prix champion, was so
physically drained at the end of the encounter that he had no
stamina left to speak.
All England champion Hariyanto, 22, seeded to meet Suprianto
in the final, eased past South Korean Park Sung Woo, emerging
with a 15-9, 15-4 victory.
Joko will play South Korean Kim Hak-kyun and Hariyanto will
meet Chinese number one Dong Jiong for a place in the finals.
The third-seeded Kim swept past Fumihiko Machida of Japan 15-
2, 15-1 before the others had even finished their first games,
while fourth seed Dong was equally awesome in disposing of
Malaysian Ong Ewe Hock 15-4, 15-4.
Joko, who went the distance in each of the three matches he
played in the team event, had Indonesian coach Triadji worried at
the end of the second game which the Chinese won after they were
level 10-10.
The coach used the 10-minute interval to instruct him to slow
the game down to neutralize the Chinese attack. The tactics
worked and Lin lost his touch and hit a stream of unforced
errors.
"Joko's defense was very poor in the second game," Triadji
said. "He will have to defend much better and play more slowly
against Kim tomorrow.
"I think Hariyanto will win against Dong Jiong. He has the
defense to kill Dong's attacks. I am optimistic that Joko also
will go through to the final."
Asian Cup champion Dong, 20, was in awesome form against Ong,
the top singles player in Thomas Cup finalist Malaysia's Asian
Games squad. An ankle injury Ong has been nursing since his
arrival here did his cause no good, and he caved in meekly.
"He lost to a much better player. Dong Jiong was simply too
good today," Malaysian coach Razif Sidek said.
Susi
Women's world number one and world champion Susi Susanti,
hunting for the one title that has eluded her grasp, also had to
struggle to reach the semi-finals.
The 23-year-old Indonesian was strangely off-color as she gave
up the first game to her Chinese opponent Han Jingna before
getting her mind back on the job.
Susi, fired by chants of "Susi, Susi" from the stands, finally
triumphed 6-11, 11-4 and 11-7 to book a semifinal place against
Hisako Mizui of Japan.
"I just wasn't able to concentrate at the start," Susi said
afterwards. "But I want this title badly and I am happy I managed
to win at the end."
Mizui beat Plugwech Pornsawan of Thailand 11-4, 11-8.
Second-seeded Chinese number one Ye Zhaoying also had to play
three games before booking her final spot, defeating Yuliani
Sentosa of Indonesia 6-11, 11-2, 11-8.
Ye will be playing South Korean Bang Soo-hyun, Olympic silver
medalist, who was a quick 11-1, 11-2 winner over Takako Ida of
Japan.