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

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.