Sony, Taufik advance in Malaysian Open

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

Indonesia top men's singles shuttlers Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Taufik Hidayat advanced easily on Wednesday to the next round of the 2004 Malaysia Open badminton championship in Kuantan.

Sony beat Malaysian second qualifier Zairul Hafiz Zainuddin 15-2, 15-3 while Taufik lost only four points in his 15-3, 15-1 drubbing of Malaysian Lok Chong Chieh.

Sony will face Agus Haryanto of Hong Kong in the next round on Thursday. Taufik, the 2004 Asian champion, will be challenged by Antti Vitikko of Finland.

Indonesia's other players, Marleve Mainaky and Wiempie Mahardi, had mixed fares. Marleve had to work hard, but still made it through over Anders Boesen of Denmark with 12-15, 15-1, 15-10 while Wiempie lost to veteran Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia 17- 14, 15-3.

Marleve's next opponent is Malaysian ace Muhd Hafiz Hashim.

In the women's singles, Silvi Antarini is scheduled to play on Thursday against Jiang Yanmei of Singapore, in which the Indonesian, according to coach Ivana Lie, should be able to round off her win.

Ivana told The Jakarta Post that Silvi was the only protege to have a good chance of advancing to the next stage in the championship, given that her compatriots would face tougher opponents.

Adrianti Firdasari, who defeated Thai shuttler Soratja Chansrisukot 11-7, 11-2 in qualification, will play second-seeded Zhang Ning of China.

Maria Kristin, who has been promoted to the main draw, must tackle former Indonesian star and fourth-seeded Mia Audina Tjiptawan, currently playing for the Netherlands.

In the mixed doubles, Indonesian shuttlers triumphed over their Malaysian opponents, with Nova Widhianto and Vita Marissa beating Koo Kien Keat and Mooi Hing Yau 15-8, 15-3 and Anggun Nugroho and Eny Widiowati defeating Gan Taik Chai and Fong Chen Yen 15-10, 3-15, 15-7.