Sun and Budi crash out of Indonesia Open

JAKARTA (JP): Unheralded players stole a little bit of thunder in the first day of the US$150,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open at the Senayan Tennis Indoor Stadium Wednesday, although big names maintained their dominance.

World number 31 Budi Santoso, fresh from reaching the Thailand Open final on Sunday, made an early exit in the second round with a 13-15, 12-15 defeat to little known Ronald Susilo, an Indonesian junior playing for Singapore.

Earlier in the day, Budi, a two-time finalist here in 1998 and 1999, survived the first test against world number 10 Chen Hong of China winning 8-15, 15-9, 17-16.

Coach Agus Dwi Santoso said: "Budi was not in his best condition after reaching the Thailand Open final last week. He played an energy-sapping match against Chen in the morning."

"But I'm very disappointed he lost to a little-known shuttler. I had expected him to play all out on the court and force himself for the best. I didn't see that in Budi," Agus said.

Budi displayed his brilliant talent in the Thailand Open, beating All England champion Xia Xuanze in the quarterfinals and another Chinese ace, Luo Yigang, in the semifinals.

Another upset came when world number 12 Thomas Johansson of Sweden, who earlier in the day had eliminated world champion Sun Jun 15-12, 12-15, 15-8, lost to Agus Hariyanto, an Indonesian who plays for Hong Kong, in straight sets 4-15, 7-15.

Top seed Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark overcame his first hurdle, beating Kevin Han of the United States 15-12, 15-2 for a place in the third round against Malaysia's Roslin Hashim. Earlier in the day, the Danish 23-year-old tamed Ronny Agustinus of Indonesia 15-9, 15-10.

Roslin had a comfortable win over Wei Ng of Hong Kong 15-4, 15-3 in the second round.

"I'm satisfied with my result today. But it's a shame to meet Ronny in the first round because I think he could have gone further in the tournament," world number one Gade Christensen said.

Speaking about the court, the Dane said it was a bit windy but much easier to control compared to last year's tournament in Bali.

On another court, defending champion Taufik Hidayat fought his back injury and the resilience of Malaysian Ismail Saman before posting a 15-6, 15-13 win. The 18-year-old Indonesian beat second-stringer Vidre Wibowo 15-10, 15-6 in the second round.

Taufik, who almost missed the tournament due to his injury, said he had no problem with the pain.

"I forced myself to play my best and forget the pain although I'm still using the back support. I'm glad I have consulted orthopedic specialist Dr. Chaehab. I'm not afraid to play anymore," he said.

World number three, and Thailand Open winner, Hendrawan reached the third round comfortably with a 15-4, 15-1 defeat of Jean-Michael Lefort of France. The 28-year-old Indonesian crushed Eric Pang of the Netherlands 15-6, 15-3 in the earlier round.

"I hope I can win the tournament although it's more difficult to play here than other events as I have to face my friends. But let's see how far I can go here," he said.

In the women's singles, top seed Camilla Martin of Denmark barely sweated to overcome Indonesian second-stringer Atu Rosalina 11-0, 11-4. The Danish world number one is scheduled to face Wan Ting Ling of Hong Kong, who beat Elin Bergblom of Sweden 11-0, 11-3.

World number 11 Mia Audina of the Netherlands had an easy victory over Budiani of Indonesia 11-1, 11-1. She will face Chinese Zeng Yaqiong, who fought hard to beat Wai Chee Koon of Hong Kong 11-5, 7-11, 11-4.

Selected results:

Men's singles:

Park Tae-sang (Kor) bt Richard Vaughan (Wal) 15-6, 16-4 Daniel Eriksson (Swe) bt Jean Roch (Ger) 15-1, 15-6 Keita Masuda (Jpn) bt Tjitje Weistra (Ned) 15-11, 15-12 Shinya Ohtsuka (Jpn) bt Rasmus Wengberg (Swe) 15-12, 15-5 Lee Hyun-il (Kor) bt Ramesh Nathan (Mal) 15-4, 15-10

Women's singles:

Kanako Yonekura (Jpn) bt Siti Mahiroh (Ina) 11-0, 11-2 Mia Audina (Ned) bt Budiani (Ina) 11-1, 11-1 Lidya Djaelawidjaja (Ina) bt Margit Borg (Swe) 11-2, 2-11, 11-9 Niniek Masrikah (Ina) bt Kelly Morgan (Wal) 11-5, 5-11, 11-8 Judith Meulendijks (Ned) bt Ellen Angelina (Ina) 11-5, 11-9