RI takes only one title at Asian Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Barely two months after the Thomas and Uber Cup victories, Indonesia only managed to capture one out of the five titles at stake in the Asian Cup in Beijing.

The leading men's doubles Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky managed to avoid the lousy, anticlimactic slump which plagued the nation's shuttlers' at the event, which ended on Saturday.

Ricky and Rexy tamed their Malaysian opponents Cheah Soon Keat and Soo Beng Kiang in straight sets 15-8, 15-7.

South Korea stole one victory, which was secured by women's doubles Chung Soo-young and Jang Hye Ock, who whipped China's Wu Yuhong and Chen Ying 15-9, 15-5.

Host China managed to secure three titles in this tourney consisting of mixed doubles, women's singles and men's singles.

The host's mixed doubles victory was presented by Liu Liangjin and Ge Fei who neutralized the Indonesian contenders Aryono Miranat and Eliza 15-4, 12-15, 15-10.

In the women's singles, China's grip over the tourney was even more impressive since it was an all Chinese final. Here Ye Zhaoying defeated compatriot Han Jingna 11-8, 9-12, 11-3.

The men's singles ended with a surprise as the Indonesian ace Hariyanto Arbi fell to Chinese `giant killer' Dong Jiong in a rubber set match lasting about one and half hours which ended 12- 15, 18-17, 15-11.

Dong previously whipped world number one Indonesian Joko Supriyanto in straight set 15-12, 15-4 in the semifinal.

Kompas daily reported that Hariyanto committed frequent unforced errors which eventually costed him the championship.

Ironically, in the second set Hariyanto managed to reach match point at 17-13.

Weak form

However, the 22 year old player's weak form - evidenced by repeated wide smashes and lame ball anticipations - made him a victim rather than an executioner.

Hariyanto's inferior mental stamina was exposed further as he threw his racket forcefully to the ground - in a cheap McEnroe imitation- as his Chinese opponent took the set.

In the decisive third set, Hariyanto appeared to be short of fighting spirit and inevitably gave the tournament away to his Chinese rival.

"Hariyanto once again fails to control his emotions, his main weakness," commented coach Indra Gunawan.

Prior to the Beijing departure, Indonesian badminton legend Rudy Hartono expressed his concern that the shuttlers were too consumed by the celebratory mood and not practicing. (hdj)