Joko triumphant in Singapore badminton

Joko triumphant in Singapore badminton

SINGAPORE (AFP): Former world champion Joko Suprianto had a
timely second wind to beat fellow Indonesian Hermawan Susanto
yesterday, winning the men's singles title in the Konica Cup
Singapore badminton championships.

The 29-year-old Suprianto overcame a thigh strain and a
fightback by his opponent en route to his 15-11, 3-15, 15-10
victory for his second title this year.

The 65-minute win at the Singapore Indoor Stadium was worth
US$10,725 US for Joko, who played with a bandaged left thigh.
Hermawan pocketed the runner's-up prize of $6,600.

"I didn't know whether I would last the distance," Joko said.
"I attacked in the first game, then I began to feel the
discomfort. But when it came to the third game I finally decided
to have a go."

Scoring with hard jump smashes and deceptive drop shots, Joko
won the first game in 25 minutes.

But the 27-year-old Hermawan, who also lost to his teammate in
the 1993 World Cup and world championships, raced away with the
second game in less than 10 minutes.

The two Indonesians were neck-and-neck until 9-9 in the
decider when Joko forged into the lead. He yielded just one more
point before wrapping up the match.

Sweden's All England champion Lim Xiaoqing took the women's
singles title and a prize of $8,250 with a 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 win
in 58 minutes over Asian Games gold medalist Bang Soo-hyun of
South Korea.

Down 0-4 in the second game, Bang regained her attacking
touch, scoring a series of winners that left world number one Lim
stranded. The Korean allowed Lim just two more points as she ran
away with the game.

Bang fought hard from 1-6 down in the decider, pulling back to
5-6 before she ran out of steam. She collected a purse of $5,775.

Results

Men's singles: Joko Suprianto (Ina) bt Hermawan Susanto (Ina) 15-
11, 3-15, 15-10

Women's singles: Lim Xiaoqing (Swe) bt Bang Soo-hyun (Kor) 11-7,
6-11, 11-6

Men's doubles: Rexy Mainaky/Ricky Subagja (Ina) bt Antonius/Deny
Kantono (Ina) 15-7, 18-16

Women's doubles: Ge Fei/Gu Jun (Chn) bt Gil Young-ah/Jang Hye-ock
(Kor) 15-12, 15-7

Mixed doubles: Trikus Haryanto/Minarti Timur (Ina) bt Kim Dong-
moon/Gil Young-ah (Kor) 15-12, 9-15, 15-10