Marlev hoping to end title drought

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian old hand Marlev Mainaky cruised to the final stage of the US$170,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open on Saturday after upsetting second seed and heavy favorite Pullela Gopichand of India 7-2, 8-6, 7-1 in their semifinals bout at Bung Karno Indoor Stadium.

It is Marlev's first final since reaching the 1999 World Grand Prix Finals before losing to eventual winner Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark 15-11, 15-13.

Playing differently from his usual defensive style, Marlev initiated the match with offensive strokes forcing the All England champion to rely on long rallies.

"I had to take the initiative because the new scoring system enables shuttlers to attack more without becoming exhausted too early," he told a post-match conference.

"Besides, Gopichand underperformed. In the second game he sent overhead shots to the baseline earning him more points."

Gopichand said he found difficulties in developing his form as Marlev unexpectedly played an offensive game.

"I had to send long lobs otherwise Marlev would reply with hard smashes. But my strategy didn't work well. Reaching the semifinals, however, is quite good considering my preparation," he said.

"There were only three or four days of preparation before last week's Malaysian Open due to my right ankle injury. And then I came here."

Gopichand's defeat was not the only surprise of the day as top seed Lee Hyun-il of South Korea was gunned down by Swiss Open finalist Lee Tsuen Seng of Malaysia 5-7, 5-7, 4-7.

"I wanted to win the match fast but instead failed to play my usual game. I made too many unforced errors. In most games I take the lead early but was then shocked when Tsuen Seng managed to trail me. It really made me feel down," Lee said through his coach, Sung Han-kook.

The Malaysian said he had a good feeling though was a little deterred by the Korean's position as first seed.

"I was a little bit discouraged by him but I just played my best game. I had no pressure at all, unlike Hyun-il who was expected to reach the finals," he said.

"Besides, it is my second finals so it could not have been better. I will just play relaxed in the final."

Women's singles Ellen Angelina, who quit the Indonesian Badminton Center earlier this year, surprisingly defeated second seed Lidya Djaelawidjaja 7-4, 7-3, 8-6.

"I have never won a match against Lidya but I have found out why. She plays fast while I play slowly. I just stopped myself from being carried away by her style," Ellen said.

"It worked well in the first two games, though I drifted away a bit in the third. But I managed to return to my strategy."

Ellen will challenge top seed Wang Chen of Hong Kong who defeated Cindana Hartono in her comeback track 5-7, 7-3, 7-1, 7- 2.

"I played hurriedly in the first game because I wanted to win quickly but it didn't work out so I lost. Actually, it was only a routine match for me," said Wang through an interpreter.

Indonesia has secured two doubles titles in the men's and mixed doubles.

Men's doubles world champions Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto will meet compatriots and second seeds Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto, who recently took the Malaysian Open title.

Tony and Halim easily defeated another Indonesian pair Davis Efraim and Karel Mainaky 7-4, 7-4, 7-3 while Candra and Sigit crushed the combined forces of Indonesian Reony Mainaky and Japanese Masafumi Hanada 7-3, 7-4, 8-6.

In the mixed doubles, Tri Kusheryanto and Emma Ermawati will challenge second-seeded compatriots Nova Widhianto and Vita Marissa.

Tri and Emma beat fifth seeds Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms from England 7-8, 7-1, 7-0, 7-2 while Nova and Vita defeated fourth seeds Frederik Bergstrom and Jenny Karlsson of Sweden 8-7, 8-7, 7-3.

Indonesia failed to ensure an all-Indonesian final in the women's doubles when Danish eighth seeds Ann Lou Jorgensen and Jane Bramsen defeated Indonesian pair Emma Ermawati and Enny Widiowati 7-3, 7-2, 7-2.

The Danes will face hosts Deyana Lomban and Vita Marissa who had to work hard before defeating their juniors sixth seeds Eny Erlangga and Novita 7-5, 5-7, 5-7, 7-3, 7-3. (nvn)