RI beats Denmark 3-0 cruising to finals

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Guangzhou, China

Indonesia is a step closer to retaining the Thomas Cup after crushing Denmark 3-0 in the semifinals of the men's badminton competition in Guangzhou, China on Friday evening.

The Indonesian team will meet archrivals Malaysia in the finals on Sunday as it attempts to win five Thomas Cup titles in a row. Malaysia denied hosts China a finals berth in Thursday's semifinal match.

The joy was completed by the news that Indonesian team manager Christian Hadinata was admitted to the Badminton Hall of Fame.

On the court, first singles Marlev Mainaky came from behind to defeat Kenneth Jonassen 3-7, 6-8, 7-5, 7-0, 7-2 in the first match at the Tianhe Sports Center.

Marlev found himself two sets down against Jonassen, 3-7, 6-8 before regaining his composure and mounting the comeback.

The Indonesian pulled clear to a 6-0 lead in the third game but it proved far from over.

Jonassen forced Marlev to run all over the court, reducing the gap to 5-6.

But Marlev did not give his opponent a second chance, taking the third set 7-5.

Showing no mercy, Marlev chalked up 7-0, 7-2 wins in the remaining two sets.

Marlev now has a 4-0 head-to-head win record over Jonassen.

Indonesia extended its lead when first doubles pair of Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto defeated Jens Eriksen and Martin Lundgaard Hansen in a one-sided match 7-1, 7-2, 6-8, 7-4.

In the third set, the Indonesians took a 6-2 lead but confusion in defense allowed the Danes to level 6-6 before ending the game the 8-6 winner.

With the absence of Chinese shuttlers, the home crowd opted to throw its weight behind the Danes. Local spectators, however, cheered every point.

Candra and Sigit led the fourth game 4-0 only to let the Danes equalize 4-4. But the Indonesian pair, ranked seven in the world, finished their match 7-4 to extend Indonesia's lead 2-0.

Indonesia clinched an unassailable 3-0 lead after Taufik Hidayat defeated Anders Boesen 6-8, 3-7, 7-5, 7-3, 7-1.

Boesen won the first game 8-6 after having trailed 0-3 and 3- 6, thanks largely to Taufik's poor accuracy in returning the shuttlecock.

Taufik also lost the second game 3-7. He seemed unable to develop his play despite playing well at the net and covering his side of the court well.

Taufik took the third set against the expressive Boesen, who often danced on the court or punched his fist in the air to celebrate winning a point.

A calm Taufik won the last two games 7-3, 7-1.

"Taufik has applied the strategy well but when he was in the lead, he often performed unnecessary stylish shots giving the opponent a chance to grab the points," said coach Joko Supriyanto.

"Being caught up, Taufik then changed to offensive play. But he play carefully," he added.

With the tie already sealed after three matches, the last two contests -- Halim Haryanto and Tri Kusheryanto versus Lars Paske and Jonas Rasmussen, and Hendrawan versus Peter Rasmussen -- did not need to be played.