Only Budi and Rony crash in Korea Open first day

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia men's singles Marlev Mainaky and Johan Hadikusuma reached the third round of the US$250,000 Samsung Korea Open at the Hanra Gymnasium in Cheju Island, South Korea after winning their early round matches Wednesday.

Unfortunately, teammates Budi Santoso and Rony Agustinus had to bow out to their opponents.

Marlev, who had a bye in the first round, defeated host player Kim Hak-kyun 15-6, 15-6. Kim earlier ousted Yousuke Nakanishi of Japan but no score was available as of the time of going to press.

Sixth seed Marlev will meet Rasmus Wengberg of Sweden, who beat host shuttler Park Sung-hwan. Earlier, Rasmus eliminated Malaysian junior Pei Wei Chung while Park had a walkover win over Mongolian shuttler Altansvkh Jargalsaikhan.

Jargalsaikhan failed to show up due to a snow storm that hit his country and prevented the whole team from traveling as the temperature reportedly dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Speaking of his chances against Wengberg, Marlev said they both had tied 1-1.

"I think I'm in good condition and I played well in my opening matches. Let's just see who will be better prepared tomorrow," Marlev said in a telephone interview.

Should Marlev go through to Friday's quarterfinals, he will meet the winner between All England champion Xia Xuanze of China and Yong Hock Kin of Malaysia.

Xia, who also had a bye in the first round, beat Korean young star Shon Seung-mo while Yong defeated Ng Wei of Hong Kong. Earlier Wednesday, Ng sent Indonesian Rony Agustinus back home.

Johan set up a third round encounter with top seed and world number two Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark. Johan beat Kwon Woo-jin in the first round and won over Cai Yun of China in the second round.

Meanwhile, Gade Christensen, who received a bye in the first round, easily overcame Michael Edge of England.

Tenth seed Budi survived his first test over World Junior Championships semifinalist Bao Chunlai of China but fell short to overcome Hong Kong veteran Tam Kai Chuen.

Old hand Fung Permadi, an Indonesian representing Chinese Taipei, also bowed out in the second round to Xiao Hui of China.

Men's doubles top seeds Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian saved their energy by having a walkover victory as opponents Jargalsaikhan and Batkhurel Ochirpurev failed to show up. They will face Michael Lamp and Jonas Rasmussen of Denmark on Thursday.

"I have seen Lamp play before but he was partnering Lars Paaske. I don't think either of them are threats for us. I believe we'll be able to overcome them," Eng Hian said.

Three Indonesian women's pairs managed to reach the second round. Eighth seeds Carmelita and Deyana Lomban beat Emma Chaffin and Sarah Hardaker of England 15-9, 15-6. They set up a second- round encounter with host pair Chung Jae-hee and Lee Kyung-won.

Indarti Issoliana and Etty Tantri were too powerful for Korean youngsters Kim Ji-yeon and Kim Young-mi to win 15-3, 15-4. Juniors Rossy Riani and Diah Novita managed to reach the second round after working hard to oust Choi Young-ah and Kim Song-geum 15-3, 11-15, 15-8. (yan)