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.