Junior Taufik knocks top seed Hendrawan out
JAKARTA (JP): Taufik Hidayat raised Indonesia's hopes of restoring its standing in the badminton world when he edged out top seed and compatriot Hendrawan in the US$120,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open championships in a devastating display.
Still 17, Taufik showed maturity beyond his age with nearly flawless attacks and defense to send his world number three teammate crashing 15-1, 15-9 and booked a place in Saturday's semifinals.
The Bandung native will now challenge joint-fifth seed Yong Hock Kin of Malaysia who reached the last-four round without having to break sweat after Hariyanto Arbi withdrew with back pain.
Hariyanto, also a joint-fifth seed, hurt his back while stretching in a morning practice on Friday. The loss left the former world champion, who is ranked a career low of 11th, without any title so far this season.
Badminton Association of Indonesia doctor Michael Triangto said X-rays would be taken to examine the injury. "I'm afraid it is serious," Michael said.
Second seed Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark played another thrilling three-setter on his way to the final-four round. The Olympic gold medalist fell a set behind before dispatching local contender Johan Hadikusuma 11-15, 15-12, 15-10.
"I have never met Johan. He pressed me strongly in the first game but in the second I could control the shuttlecock and pushed him on to the back foot. I could neutralize his flurry of attacks in the decider because I have been in such a difficult position before and stayed calm," the 33-year-old Dane said.
Hoyer-Larsen will meet Budi Santoso, who ousted fourth seeded Marlev Mainaky 15-8, 15-8 in another all-Indonesian quarterfinal.
Indonesia assured itself of winning the men's doubles title after its four best pairs lined up for the semifinals. The success was a repeat of the Danish Open last week.
Exhaustion
Hendrawan, who was bidding to win his first title at home, blamed exhaustion for his upset drubbing.
"I'm not looking for an excuse, but to tell you the truth I was very tired after playing three sets against Irwansyah last night. I hadn't recovered," Hendrawan told a post-match media conference.
"I think I have prepared myself quite well for this tournament. My early round defeats in the five previous holdings of the tournament had motivated me to do my best," said the 26 year old.
The world number three praised his junior compatriot, saying: "He's a player with comprehensive resources. He has good strokes, physical fitness, offense and morale."
Taufik, Brunei Open champion and ranked 27th in the world, said he did not think Hendrawan played his best badminton. "His game was in stark contrast to when he triumphed at the Singapore Open."
About Saturday's semifinals, Taufik was upbeat.
"I have a chance to beat Hock Kin and I'll get the advantage of playing before my home fans," he said. Taufik beat Yong at the 1997 Asian Badminton Championships in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia's Danish coach, Morten Frost Hansen, said both young shuttlers stood an equal chance.
"Tomorrow will be a 50-50 match. Anything can happen, especially when they get down to the wire," Frost Hansen said.
In the women's singles, top seed Mia Audina of Indonesia moved a step closer to the title when she defeated compatriot Yuli Marfuah 11-5, 11-7 for a place in the semifinals. Mia will meet teammate Cindana, an 11-2, 11-2 winner over fellow Indonesian Mona Santoso.
Second seed Mette Sorensen of Denmark also went through, beating Lidya Djaelawijaya of Indonesia 11-5, 11-4. Sorensen will be the only foreign semifinalist as she will take on local shuttler Meiluawati, who tamed junior Ellen Angelina 11-8, 11-2. (yan)