Rony continues big step in Malaysia Open

JAKARTA (JP): Unseeded Rony Agustinus of Indonesia continued his big step at the US$120,000 Malaysian Open badminton championship by eliminating world champion and compatriot Hendrawan 8-6, 7-2, 7-3 on Friday's quarterfinals.

"I was no contest to Rony as I failed to explore all my skills. I was under pressure since the beginning and I found troubles in adjusting with the new scoring system of the best of five games in seven points," Hendrawan told The Jakarta Post by phone.

"I was less faster than Rony today. I need three or four more events to get used to the system."

Rony, the only Indonesian in the men's singles, will challenge top seed Chen Hong of China, who cruised to the semifinals by defeating Ng Wei of Hong Kong 7-4, 7-0, 7-4.

Seventh seed Xia Xuanze of China crushed South Korean young star Lee Hyun-il 7-4, 7-1, 7-4 to meet eighth seed host Ong Ewe Hock who squashed qualifier Lin Dan of China 7-0, 8-6 7-0.

Indonesia still has a chance to win the men's doubles title as its two pairs managed to reach Saturday semifinals.

World champions and top seeds Tony Gunawan and Halim Heryanto ousted sixth seeds Liu Yong and Chen Qiqiu of China 7-4, 7-5, 7-3 to meet fourth seeds Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Panvisvas of Thailand, who beat Ma Che Kong and Yau Kwun Yuen of Hong Kong 7-1, 7-1, 7-1.

Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto lost the first game 4-7 to Nathan Robertson and Anthony Clark of England before bouncing back to take the rest three games 7-4, 8-6, 7-3, an official at the Media Center at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam said.

They will face host duo of Chew Choon Eng and Chan Chong Ming, who beat Albertus Susanto Njoto and Kwok Wa Liu of Hong Kong but the score was not available.

Mixed doubles top seeds Bambang Suprianto and Emma Ermawati retained the country's hopes after winning their quarter match over Chinese Deng Chua Hai and Wei Yili 7-1, 4-7, 7-0, 7-5.

The Indonesians will meet fourth seeds Michael Lamp and Ann- Lou Jorgensen of Indonesia, who overcame Indonesian newcomers Hendra Gunawan and Novita 8-6, 7-0, 7-3.

Other national juniors Alven Yulianto and Eny Erlangga bowed out to Chinese eighth seeds Liu Yong and Zhang Jiewen 3-7, 2-7, 7-5, 5-7.

The Chinese will see seventh seeds Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms of England who upset second seeds Nova Widianto and Vita Marissa of Indonesia 7-1, 7-4, 1-7, 8-6.

China dominated the women's singles by featuring three semifinalist leaving Wang Chen of Hong Kong as the sole outsider.

Top seed Zhou Mi had a tough match over Thai sweetheart Sujitra Eakmongkolpaisarn 7-3, 5-7, 3-7, 7-2, 7-0. Zhou is likely able to reach Sunday's final as she will see junior Yu Jin, who beat compatriot Hu Ting 7-4, 7-2, 7-4.

World champion Gong Ruina of China eliminated Kelly Morgan of Wales 7-5, 4-7, 7-4, 7-2 to set up an encounter with Wang who upset sixth seed Dai Yun of China 7-4, 8-6, 0-7, 8-6.

China has also secured a final berth in the women's doubles as top seeds Gao Ling and Huang Sui will meet compatriots Zhang Jiewen and Wei Yili. (nvn)