RI hopes remain in World Junior C'ships

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's hopes of seeing its shuttlers in the semifinals of the World Badminton Junior Championships for the Bimantara Cups in Guangzhou, China, remains as boys singles Sony Dwi Kuncoro survived his way to Saturday's semis.

Other Indonesian semifinalists are among the boys doubles and mixed doubles. Host China ensured a title in the girls doubles as it created an all-Chinese semifinals.

Fifth seeded Sony came from behind to upset second seed Zhu Weilun of China 7-3, 3-7, 7-2, 7-1. Earlier in the third round, Sony beat China's Du Wei in what was nearly a one-hour match.

Unfortunately, compatriot Ardi Ardiansah had to bow out to ninth seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia 7-2, 7-0, 7-4. Lee will meet Sony in the semifinals.

Another semifinal will feature an all-Chinese match between top seed Lin Dan and Bao Chunlai. Lin had to sweat to defeat teammate Xuan Chuan 8-6, 5-7, 7-5, 7-2 while fourth seed Bao bounced back to defeat sixth seed Jakrapan Thanathiratham of Thailand 5-7, 4-7, 7-3, 7-1, 7-3.

In the boys doubles, Indonesian pair of Hendra A. Gunawan and Markis Kidho ousted fifth seeds Tan Chin Lee and Tan Bin Shen of Malaysia 7-2, 7-4, 7-5.

The Indonesian duo will challenge top seeds Sang Yang and Zheng Bo of China, who beat seventh seeds Lee Jae-jin and Chung Jae-sung of South Korea 7-1, 7-3, 8-6.

The other semi will see Sun Qi and Jiang Lai of China facing teammates Xie Zhongbo and Cao Chen.

Indonesia still has one hope remaining in the mixed doubles as fifth seeds Hendra A. Gunawan and Lita Nurlita survived their tough test against third seeds Zhang Weihong and Zhao Tingting of China. Hendra and Lita finally took the semis berth after winning 7-5, 3-7, 7-5, 1-7, 7-5.

The Indonesians will face second seeds Sang Yang and Zhang Yawen of China, who beat Thailand's Monwat Thuwanimitkul/Sathinee Chankrachangwong 7-5, 7-1, 7-0.

Another semifinal match will see top seeds Zheng Bo and Wei Yili of China facing South Korea's sixth seeds Lee Jae-jin/Hwang Yu-mi.

In the women's singles event, first seed Yu Jin beat compatriot Li Wenyan 2-7, 1-7, 7-5, 7-1, 7-4, second seed Wei Yan beat teammate Ma Songfeng 7-0, 8-6, 7-3, while third seed Wang Rong beat another Chinese Guo Xin 6-8, 7-4, 2-7, 7-1, 7-5.

Another semifinalist is Yu-Chin Chien from Chinese Taipei, who beat Chinese Zhu Lin 7-5, 7-2, 8-7. (nvn)