Marlev, Tony/Halim reach Korean Open quarterfinals

JAKARTA (JP): Most of the Indonesian badminton players here were reduced to being spectators after bowing out in the US$250,000 Samsung Korea Open third round at the Hanra Gymnasium on Cheju Island, South Korea.

Only men's singles old hand Marlev Mainaky, sixth seed here, and unseeded men's doubles Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto survived the tests.

Marlev set up a quarterfinals encounter with 2000 All England winner Xia Xuanze of China after crushing Rasmus Wengberg of Sweden 15-8, 15-4 Thursday.

"I played very well today and I was in a very good mood. I managed to dominate Rasmus who made so many unforced errors. Besides, he was not very patient in dealing with my game," Marlev told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview.

"About tomorrow's match, I realize that it will be harder to fight Xia as he is younger, faster and stronger than I am. Besides, it's going to be our first meeting. I have to play more aggressively and attack him first. His defense is also perfect. Let's just wait and see how I can handle him tomorrow. What matters to me is both my legs are really tired," he said with a laugh.

Tony told the Post that he was lucky to have competed in the Copenhagen Masters at the end of December which served as a warm up for reuniting with Halim Heryanto.

"By competing in Copenhagen we had a chance to adjust to each other as sometimes in critical points I forget I have Halim instead of Candra (Wijaya) as my partner."

Tony and Halim defeated Simon Archer and Nathan Robertson but Tony failed to recall the score. The Indonesians will go on to challenge second seeds Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung.

" Halim and I have never met them but we will play our best."

Top seeds Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian crashed out to Michael Lamp and Jonas Rasmussen 15-13, 13-15, 15-27.

"We blacked out on the court. We couldn't think and we were very slow. I never thought that I would lose to the Danish pair as they are not very special. We made too many unforced errors," Eng Hian said, adding that he would not blame his defeat on lack of preparation.

"Our defeat here warned Flandy and myself to prepare ourselves better especially in facing into the All England, Swiss Open and World Grand Prix Finals."

Seventh seeds Candra and Sigit Budiarto, who have been under the spotlight since their reunion at the event, were unexpectedly upset by Michael Sogaard and Jim Laugesen of Denmark 12-15, 12- 15.

"I never even thought of losing so soon, especially to the Danish pair. We had a lack of preparation and it's our first tournament together after the Thomas Cup in May."

"The Danish pair played really well and fast today. They have changed a lot and they are getting much better now."

Indonesian shuttlers in the women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles also crashed out at the event. (yan)