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.