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)