Malaysia gets Thomas Cup revenge

Malaysia gets Thomas Cup revenge

JOHOR BARU, Malaysia (Reuter): Malaysia got a measure of revenge for losing the prestigious Thomas Cup to Indonesia when its top men Rashid Sidek and Ong Ewe Hock advanced to the semifinals of the Malaysian Open yesterday with hard-fought victories over Indonesian opponents.

Ong Ewe Hock overcame Barcelona Olympic champion Alan Budikusuma 15-9, 6-15, 15-3 before thousands of screaming fans in Johor Baru's indoor stadium. Rashid Sidek followed up with an 11- 15, 15-9, 15-3 victory over Hermawan Susanto.

"The shuttle was fast tonight and it was not easy for me or Hermawan to control it," said Sidek, who won this tournament three straight years from 1990 to 1992. He was injured and did not play last year.

Results

Women's singles Susi Susanti (Ina) bt Mizui Hisako (Jap) 11-1, 11-2 Ra Kyun Min (SKor) bt Zarinah Abdullah (Sin) 12-10, 11-2 Christine Magnusson (Swe) bt Han Jingna (Chn) 11-3, 11-6 Ye Zhao Ying (Chn) bt Mia Audina (Ina) 11-6, 11-7

Men's singles Ong Ewe Hock (Mal) bt Alan Budikusuma (Ina) 15-9, 6-15, 15-3 Rashid Sidek (Mal) bt Hermawan Susanto (Ina) 11-15, 15-9, 15-3 Joko Suprianto (Ina) bt Hendrawan (Ina) 15-10, 15-2 Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen (Den) bt Hu Zhilan (Chn) 15-11, 18-16