RI girl shuttlers crushed in World Junior C'ships

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian girls singles shuttlers failed to make their way to the semifinals of the World Badminton Junior Championships for the Bimantara Cups in Guangzhou, China, on Thursday, sending an alarming message to the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).

Silvi Antarini did not even give enough resistance and she was easily defeated by Chinese Li Wen Yau 1-7, 0-7, 2-7. Silvi had reached the quarterfinals after comfortably defeating Russian Tatjana Bibik 7-2, 7-0, 7-0 on Wednesday.

Compatriot Mona Santoso, who has been with the Indonesian Badminton Center for nearly one year, also easily crashed in her quarterfinals match.

Ma Song Feng of China barely sweated to eliminate Mona 7-2, 7- 3, 7-2, securing a place of her own in the semifinals.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mona defeated France's Perrine Lebuhanic 7-2, 6-8, 7-3, 7-0.

"The results sends an alarming message to Indonesia because junior players from Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea and Thailand have shown their potentials," Indonesian team manager Yacob Rusdiyanto said in his fax.

"We were especially left behind in the girls' singles and doubles events. We need to do something in the girls events," he added.

Host China booked three tickets in the quarters, leaving another one for unseeded Yu-Chin Chien of Chinese Taipei who ousted China's fourth seed Liu Jian 7-5, 7-2, 8-7.

In the boy's singles, two of three Indonesian quarterfinalists made their way to the semis.

Ardi Ardiansah had a relatively easy victory over third seed Qiu Bo Hui of China 7-1, 7-1 in the first and second game. But on the third decisive game, he had to work hard before concluding the match with a 8-7 win.

On Wednesday, Ardi also had to struggle before beating Sheng- Ming Chin of Chinese Taipei 7-8, 7-1, 7-0, 7-3.

Indonesia best hope, Sony Dwi Kuncoro, had to pump out his energy to overcome Du Wei of China in a one-hour match which ended in 8-6, 5-7, 7-5, 7-3 for the Indonesian.

Unfortunately, Taufik Hidayat (not the world number five Taufik Hidayat who is currently competing at the Ipoh Masters in Malaysia) unexpectedly had to bow out to Jakrapan Thanatiratam of Thailand 4-7, 3-7, 2-7.

In the boys' doubles , Hendra Gunawan and Markis Kidho managed to go through to the semifinals after eliminating Gu Jian and Tao Nian Yun of China 3-7, 7-4, 7-3, 7-3.

But teammates Yan Pieter and Tri Heru Pamungkas had to bury their dreams of playing in the semis as they were crushed by Sun Qi and Jiang Lai 2-7, 1-7, 5-7.

In the mixed doubles, fifth seeds Hendra Gunawan and Nurlita managed to grab a berth to the semis after overcoming Chinese pair Cao Cen and Yang Zi in a do-or-die match 7-0, 4-7, 7-8, 7-3, 7-1.

But teammates Yusuf A and Endang were powerless in their encounter against Zhan Zhi Je and Zhang Zhi Bo of China before bowing out 2-7, 0-7, 4-7.

Unseededs Monwat Thuwanimitkul and Sathinee Chankrachangwong of Thailand brought a big upset by sending away eighth-seeded South Koreans Chung Jae-sung and Kim So-yeon 3-7, 7-5, 7-2, 8-6. (nvn)