RI shuttlers reach Asia Cup final in Ho Chi Minh City

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers reached the final of the US$100,000 JVC Asia Cup in Ho Chi Minh City after defeating top seeds China 3-0 in Saturday's semifinals.

First singles Taufik Hidayat, world ranked three, had to work hard to upset world number one Sun Jun 15-12, 15-14.

Both players played world-class games, but Taufik was more accurate in the first game to win 15-12.

In the second game, Sun led 12-6 before 18-year-old Taufik managed to trail 9-13 and equaled 13-13. World champion Sun earned one more point to extend the match, but Taufik, the All England finalist, once again tied 14-14.

Sun, is suffering from a back injury after competing in the National Championships in China, declined for a deuce, but Taufik managed to overcome the pressure to conclude the match 15-14.

The Indonesian doubles of Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan hardly broke out in a sweat to defeat the Chinese young duo of Zhang Jun and Yu Jinhao 15-4, 15-6.

Second singles Hendrawan had no trouble eliminating Chen Hong 15-7, 15-4 for a perfect victory 3-0 against China.

Coach Herry Imam Pierngadi said that Hendrawan managed to play his best game after late starts in the first two days of Group B round robin matches.

"Hendrawan played perfectly. His nettings were incredible. He controlled the match and made Chen unable to overcome the pressure," said Herry, the doubles coach.

In another semifinal, South Korea and Malaysia were still fighting for the final ticket.

Herry said he preferred to face Malaysia in the final.

"We defeated Malaysia 3-0 in the round-robin on Friday. We have a great chance to repeat our victory. South Korea has the strongest doubles in the world. Kim Dong-moon and Ha Tae-kwon are the world number one. Candra and Tony have an equal chance to win over them," he said.

Indonesia won the title in the 1997 Asia Cup in Jakarta.

On Friday, Taufik had to work hard to overcome Malaysian Jason Wong 15-12, 13-15, 15-8.

In the first game, Wong led 12-7 before Taufik managed to equal 12-12, thanks to his smashes, before he finally won 15-12. In the second game, Taufik controlled the ball to lead 13-9 before Wong took over the ball to conclude the game 15-13.

In the deciding game, Taufik took advantage from Wong's exhausted condition to easily win 15-8.

In the doubles, Candra and Tony had no trouble beating Rosman Razak and Chew Chun Eng 15-5, 15-8 in only 22 minutes. Hendrawan also beat Ismail Saman 15-9, 15-13. (yan)