PBI shuttlers thrive at Milo Open

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.