RI women's shuttlers expected to survive early rounds

JAKARTA (JP): Despite poor results last year, Indonesian women's shuttlers are expected to pass early round tests at the US$250,000 Korea Open starting on Wednesday in Cheju Island, South Korea.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo and coach Agus Dwi Santoso shared the same opinion on the women's singles slight chance at the Jan. 10 to Jan. 14 event.

"We must admit the fact that our women's singles have a physical disadvantage as they are much shorter than their opponents, especially young shuttlers from China," Subagyo told The Jakarta Post on Friday. "But it doesn't prevent us from being optimistic of our shuttlers ability."

Agus said that the PBSI never set a high target for the girls.

"At least they have to try to get through the first two rounds," he said.

PBSI sends Atu Rosalina and Yuli Marfuah in the women's singles, neither of whom are included in the seeded list issued by the International Badminton Federation.

Atu is expected to be able to eliminate Keiko Nakauchi of Japan in the first round and is likely to meet Judith Meulendijks of the Netherlands in the second round.

Meanwhile, Yuli gets a first-round bye and will wait for the winner between Chinese Zhang Ning and Korean Kim Na-rae in the second round.

"I'm just ready to face any shuttlers although Zhang is more likely to get through. I haven't met her before but my coach has given me tips on how to handle her," Yuli told the Post in a telephone interview on Saturday.

"Supposing I do meet her, I will play aggressively right from the start because I want to know her type of game. I prefer to deliver a lot of lobs before getting a good chance to attack."

IBF placed Camilla Martin of Denmark as the first seed followed by Kelly Morgan of Wales and Korean Kim Ji-hyun. With the absence of the top Chinese girls, Martin has the greatest chance to win the tournament.

In the women's doubles, the PBSI puts its hope on a new partnership between Deyana Lomban and Carmelita who are seeded eighth. They will meet Emma Chaffin and Sarah Hardaker of England in the first round.

Should they win, they will meet the winner between Shizuka Yamamoto and Seiko Yamada of Japan and host pair, Chung Jae-hee and Lee Kyung-won.

"We really expect Deyana and Carmelita to achieve a lot although they are a new pair," Subagyo said.

The PBSI will also send new pair, Indarti Issoliana and Etty Tantri and juniors Diah Novita and Rossy Riani.

Etty and Indarti will meet Koreans Kim Ji-yeon and Kim Young- mi meanwhile Diah and Rossy face host players Choi Young-ah and Kim Song-geum.

Chinese pair Huang Nanyan and Yang Wei are seeded first followed by Helene Kirkegaard & Rikke Olsen of Denmark and Koreans Yim Kyung-jin and Lee Hyo-jung.

The PBSI also prefers to send second stringers in the mixed doubles following the absence of Olympics silver medalists Tri Kusharjanto and Minarti Timur.

"We still have big question marks over the mixed doubles. But new pair, Nova Widhianto and Etty Tantri seem promising," said Subagyo.

"Other mixed doubles pairs of Wahyu Agung and Emma Ermawati and Imam Sodikin and Rita Kristiane are also expected to achieve their best performance."

Nova and Etty receive a first-round bye and will meet the winner between Koreans Jung Sung-gyun and Joo Hyun-hee and David Lindley and Emma Chaffin of England in the second round.

Agung and Emma also get a bye and wait for the result of first round match between Koreans Choi Mon-ho and Choi Young-anh with Japanese Norio Imai and Shizuka Yamamoto.

Imam and Rita will face Denmark's scratch pair of Lars Paaske and Jane Bramsen. (nvn)