RI serves up perfect five in individual badminton
RI serves up perfect five in individual badminton
By Johannes K. Simbolon
JAKARTA (JP): The host country's powerhouse reputation in
badminton was certified as it swept all five individual events
yesterday.
With four of five finals all-Indonesian affairs, Malaysia's
Ong Ewe Hock was the only impostor in the men's singles final.
But Ong, surprising victor over Joko Suprianto in the
semifinals on Friday, could not spoil Indonesia's party as he
lost tamely 15-5, 15-3 to Hariyanto Arbi.
The crowd of about 3,000 fans, mostly youngsters, noisily
supported Hari throughout the match. They chanted his name and
cheered his winners, balancing these with boos for the Malaysian.
There was a huge whoop of delight when Ong's smash hit the net
on match point.
"The crowd made me tense because of their support for Hari,"
Ong said after the match.
With the exception of the men's doubles, the rest of the
matches were letdowns because of the absence of foreign
players.
Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto enthralled spectators as they
beat Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky, the Olympic champions in
Atlanta, 15-4, 15-7, 15-11, in the men's doubles.
Olympic silver medalist Mia Audina was given a tough time by
Meiluwati, scraping by in two deuce games, 12-11, 12-11.
Meiluwati was a replacement for long-reigning Indonesian
badminton queen Susi Susanti, who injured her knee during the
team competition.
Eliza/Resiana Zelin overcame juniors Deyana Lomban/Indarti
Issoliana 12-11, 12-10 in the women's doubles
In the mixed doubles, veterans Trikus Haryanto/Minarti Timur
lost to the new combination Chandra Wijaya/Eliza 15-12, 7-15, 2-
15.
Tough
Many had predicted the men's singles would be tough going for
Hari, as Ong had run him close in the team event final.
The Malaysian had led 13-9 but lost after slipping and
appearing to strain a calf muscle.
But Hari's confidence was apparent as he hit accurate
placements and smashed commandingly, winning the first game in 15
minutes against a nervy and unsettled opponent.
The Indonesian raced out to an 8-0 lead before several
unforced errors put Ong on the scoreboard.
But Hari, notorious for crumbling in tight matches, was not to
be stopped as he finished off the game 17 minutes.
Ricky and Rexy were the most disappointed of all Indonesian
players following their loss to their juniors Chandra and Sigit.
They played like they had not expected much challenge and paid
the price as they seemed to be playing one step behind.
They played sloppily in the first game and lost it quickly.
At one point in the second set, Rexy slammed his racket on the
court after flubbing a smash.
Despite their obvious frustration, Ricky and Rexy fought hard
to take the second game at deuce.
It was of little good, as Chandra and Sigit took the final
game in 20 minutes.
By Johannes K. Simbolon
JAKARTA (JP): The host country's powerhouse reputation in
badminton was certified as it swept all five individual events
yesterday.
With four of five finals all-Indonesian affairs, Malaysia's
Ong Ewe Hock was the only impostor in the men's singles final.
But Ong, surprising victor over Joko Suprianto in the
semifinals on Friday, could not spoil Indonesia's party as he
lost tamely 15-5, 15-3 to Hariyanto Arbi.
The crowd of about 3,000 fans, mostly youngsters, noisily
supported Hari throughout the match. They chanted his name and
cheered his winners, balancing these with boos for the Malaysian.
There was a huge whoop of delight when Ong's smash hit the net
on match point.
"The crowd made me tense because of their support for Hari,"
Ong said after the match.
With the exception of the men's doubles, the rest of the
matches were letdowns because of the absence of foreign
players.
Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto enthralled spectators as they
beat Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky, the Olympic champions in
Atlanta, 15-4, 15-7, 15-11, in the men's doubles.
Olympic silver medalist Mia Audina was given a tough time by
Meiluwati, scraping by in two deuce games, 12-11, 12-11.
Meiluwati was a replacement for long-reigning Indonesian
badminton queen Susi Susanti, who injured her knee during the
team competition.
Eliza/Resiana Zelin overcame juniors Deyana Lomban/Indarti
Issoliana 12-11, 12-10 in the women's doubles
In the mixed doubles, veterans Trikus Haryanto/Minarti Timur
lost to the new combination Chandra Wijaya/Eliza 15-12, 7-15, 2-
15.
Tough
Many had predicted the men's singles would be tough going for
Hari, as Ong had run him close in the team event final.
The Malaysian had led 13-9 but lost after slipping and
appearing to strain a calf muscle.
But Hari's confidence was apparent as he hit accurate
placements and smashed commandingly, winning the first game in 15
minutes against a nervy and unsettled opponent.
The Indonesian raced out to an 8-0 lead before several
unforced errors put Ong on the scoreboard.
But Hari, notorious for crumbling in tight matches, was not to
be stopped as he finished off the game 17 minutes.
Ricky and Rexy were the most disappointed of all Indonesian
players following their loss to their juniors Chandra and Sigit.
They played like they had not expected much challenge and paid
the price as they seemed to be playing one step behind.
They played sloppily in the first game and lost it quickly.
At one point in the second set, Rexy slammed his racket on the
court after flubbing a smash.
Despite their obvious frustration, Ricky and Rexy fought hard
to take the second game at deuce.
It was of little good, as Chandra and Sigit took the final
game in 20 minutes.