PBI shuttlers thrive at Milo Open

By Novan Iman Santosa

SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Boys singles top seed Sony Dwi Kuncoro of the Indonesian Badminton Center (PBI) cruised to the US$9,000 Milo Junior Indonesia Open quarterfinals after outclassing Yoga Uki Asah of West Java 15-2, 15-5.

His victory led other shuttlers, being groomed at the center, to also reach the quarters showing off their edge over shuttlers trained in the provinces.

Sony -- runner up in the 2000 Asian Junior Championships and the 2000 World Junior Championships -- will be challenged by Suherlan of West Java, who defeated Muhammad Rizal of Surabaya- based Surya Naga Gudang Garam (SNGG) 15-13, 15-9, on the way to the quarters.

"I didn't expect to meet Suherlan because when I looked at the fixture I thought I would see Irawan Agung of Djarum. Apparently he lost because he failed to show up at the match as he went to the wrong stadium," Sony said.

The event itself took place at the Manahan and Bhinneka sports halls.

"Suherlan is one level below me but I don't want to underestimate him. I shouldn't give him the opportunity to take any points.

Teammate Ardiansyah, also from PBI, marched to the quarters after having a comfortable 15-5, 15-9 win over Mega Birlian Aditya of Jakarta-based Jaya Raya.

Ardiansyah will set up an encounter against Roy Purnomo Kurniawan of Djarum Kudus, who barely sweated to win 15-1, 15-2 over Hendra Setiawan of Jaya Raya -- the newly-crowned world champion Hendrawan's brother-in-law.

Markis Kido also marched lightly to the quarterfinals after eliminating Robert Cassidy Sugara of Jaya Raya 15-6, 15-6. Markis will then see Andika Pradana Wicaksana of West Java, who crushed Billy Althesa of Djarum Kudus 15-7, 15-2.

Girls singles top seed Dewi Tira of PBI managed to beat Ivonne Hartono of Djarum Kudus 11-6, 11-2 although she has yet to reach her best form.

Dewi will meet Marissa of Jakarta-based Tangkas Bogasari who came from behind to defeat Anastasia Emaya Dwi Plarasari of Djarum Kudus 9-11, 11-6, 11-9.

"I don't know why I made so many mistakes in the first game. I just wasn't up to scratch," Dewi told reporters after the match.

"We have met several times before and on most occasions I managed to beat her. Insya Allah (God Willing) I can beat her."

Second seed Silvi Antarini defeated Heleyna of West Java 13- 11, 11-4 to meet Fransiska Ratnasari of Jaya Raya. Fransiska was beaten in the second game before finally ousting Budiani Setiawati of Tangkas Bogasari 11-4, 6-11, 11-6.

Fitria Firdaus was the only PBI casualty on the third round when she was easily defeated 4-11, 1-11 by Lilyana Natsir of Tangkas Bogasari. Lilyana will challenge Maria Elvira of PBI, who had to struggle to win 0-11, 11-7, 11-5 over Siti Masiroh of Jaya Raya.

Ricasari of PBI defeated the only Japanese shuttler left in the singles events, Ikue Tatani 11-9, 11-8 in a tough match.

"It was such a pity that Tatani had to lose just because of her inaccurate shots that sometimes went as far as 10 to 20 centimeters outside the court," Japanese manager Takechika Kudo told The Jakarta Post.

"She actually has a good technique and strong morale. Maybe we should improve her accuracy and stamina back home."

However, Kudo would still be able to breath as the girls doubles duo Tatani and Ai Gatoh made their way to the quarters after struggling with a 11-15, 15-6, 15-3 victory over Angeline and Haleyna of West Java.

In the mixed doubles event, Widi Chandra Kasih and Lina Winaningsih of Tangerang-based Gajah Tunggal beat Yamaguchi Kimihiro and Ikue Tatani 15-9, 15-12 of Japan.

Gito Sugiarto and Nely Triana of West Java also beat another Japanese pair, Katsuhiro Nagahara and Ai Gatoh 15-10, 15-5 in their second round match.