National players ready for Thomas and Uber Cup

National players ready for Thomas and Uber Cup

JAKARTA (JP): National top badminton players cleared their
first test heading for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals
yesterday, with only world men's doubles champions Ricky Subagja
and Rexy Mainaky facing hard work.

Playing before their chief, Soerjadi, and the chairman of the
National Sports Council, Wismoyo Arismunandar, the world
badminton team championships players showed the maturity that
helped them clinch both the coveted trophies here two years ago.

World number two, Joko Suprianto, expected to play first
singles in Thomas Cup, had hardly any trouble overcoming
Hendrawan 15-4, 15-10.

World champion Hariyanto Arbi bounced back from a 13-15 first-
set down to take the second 15-7 before his opponent Alan
Budikusuma retired.

"I don't feel well," Olympic gold medalist Alan said while he
was leaving the court.

Alan was placed sixth on the latest world rankings issued on
Monday. It means that he will make a title defense in the Atlanta
Olympic Games in July as the third Indonesian after Joko and
Hariyanto.

In the match between fading stars, Hermawan Susanto beat Ardy
Wiranata 15-12, 15-4. Hermawan was seeded first in the Asian
Championships, scheduled for April 17 to 21 in Surabaya, East
Java, but opted out.

"I am not mentally ready for the championships. All I need now
is a full rest," Hermawan said.

All England winners Ricky and Rexy struggled all the way to
hold off eighth ranked Chandra Wijaya and Ade Sutrisna 17-14, 8-
15, 17-14. National second best doubles of Denny Kantono and
Antonius beat Tony Gunawan and Rudy Wijaya 15-5, 17-15 in the
other simulation match.

Experience looked to play a pivotal role in the world
champions' hard-earned win over the Swedish Open champions. "They
have proven that they are now of the same quality as we are,"
Ricky said.

Rexy went on with his prediction of the Thomas Cup finals,
scheduled for May 17 to 26 in Hong Kong. "China and Malaysia will
be the most dangerous challengers in our campaign," Rexy said.

More tryouts

National coach Triaji said that the shuttlers would play three
more simulation matches in Batam Island on April 5 and 6, in
Bandung, West Java, on April 27 and at the Senayan Indoor Stadium
here on May 5.

"We are trying to make such a pressurized situation during the
simulation matches that all players will get used to it when they
enter the real competition," he said.

In the absence of injured Uber Cup heroine Mia Audina, the
best national women's shuttlers won their matches.

Badminton queen Susi Susanti easily beat Kristin Yunita 11-2,
11-2. Lydia Djaelawidjaya beat Ika Henny 11-8, 11-8, Elysa and
Riseu defeated Nonong and Agnastasia 15-4, 15-11 and Cindana
outplayed Ellen Angelina 11-8, 11-8.

The veteran doubles team of Finarsih and Lily Tampi failed to
hit their old form, losing to their juniors Indarti Isolina and
Deyana Lomban in straight sets 15-18, 7-15.

Women's coach Imelda Wiguna said that Finarsih and Lily were
too exhausted after a training session early on Thursday. "Both
teams are equal but Lily and Finarsih were not in their top
form," she said. (05)