RI chalks up 4-1 win over Denmark in Uber Cup

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Guangzhou, China

Indonesia defeated Denmark to save itself from sinking to bottom place of the women's team Uber Cup Group B with a 4-1 victory at Tianhe Sports Center here on Monday.

The last match was no longer important for either Indonesia or Denmark as their ill fate was already known, each losing out to Hong Kong and the Netherlands in previous ties.

Lidya Djaelawidjaja was motionless against Camille Martin as she lost 2-7, 7-2, 0-7, 2-7 in the opener, although she managed to snatch the second game.

Lidya seemed unmotivated during her match.

Deyana Lomban and Vita Marissa took Indonesia's first point in their match against Pernille Harder and Mette Schjoldager 7-6, 1- 7, 8-7, 8-7.

Second singles Atu Rosalina, who was fielded for the first time, extended Indonesia's lead in her match against Christina Sorensen.

Sorensen took a 4-0 lead in the first game, only to surrender as Atu grabbed her points one by one to end it 7-4.

In the second game, it was Atu's turn to take the 4-0 lead but she let her guard down, allowing Sorensen to even the score. But Atu rediscovered her form to take the second game 7-4.

Being shorter than Sorensen did not hinder Atu from covering the court. In fact, Atu sent her opponent roaming all over the court.

Sorensen took an early 3-0 lead in the third match but that was all she could get as Atu finished it 7-3 with just two serves.

Jo Novita and Eny Erlanga, paired against Ann-Lou Jorgensen and Jane Bramsen, made it an easy first games' 7-1 win.

But the Danish pair managed to exploit loopholes in the Indonesian defense during the second match as Eny and Jo made too many unforced errors and claimed it 7-5.

Eny and Jo took sweet revenge during the third as they breezed through to a 6-0 lead before closing it 7-0 after exchanging serves six times with the Danes.

The Danes were unable to open communication and let the shuttlecock land on their side of the court. Eny and Jo secured Indonesia's victory by taking the fourth 7-4.

Yuli Marfuah completed Indonesia's victory by defeating Tine Hoy in five sets. Yuli won the first game 7-3, only to let Hoy grab the second also with a 7-3 victory.

The third game was a tough one for both shuttlers as they had to exchange serves several times before Hoy finished it 8-7.

Entering the fourth game, Yuli regained her composure and won 7-3 and closed the match with a sweeping 7-0 win in the decider.

Chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia, Chairul Tanjung, congratulated Yuli, who scored a perfect record by winning all three matches in Group A.

In another group A match, new powerhouse Netherlands stunned favorite Hong Kong 3-2 in a tight game to lead the group and will face Group B's runner-up South Korea, who defeated newcomer Germany 4-1 in Wednesday's semifinals.

Hong Kong will face host China, who topped Group B by defeating Japan 5-0.

Tuesday will see the Thomas Cup's last qualifying round in both Group A and Group B.

Indonesia, which has secured its semifinal berths with wins over Malaysia and Thailand in Group B, will face newcomer Germany. Malaysia will be challenged by Thailand for another semifinals berth.

Host China is set to face South Korea, while Denmark meets Sweden in the last Group A qualifying round matches.