Susi and Joko meet Chinese foes in Sanyo World Cup finals

Susi and Joko meet Chinese foes in Sanyo World Cup finals

By Primastuti Handayani

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Susi Susanti and Joko Suprianto
square off against Chinese opponents in today's singles finals of
the 1997 Sanyo World Cup badminton championship.

Their success at the Among Rogo sports hall here yesterday was
not shared by compatriots Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya in the
men's doubles. The world champions fell to Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong-
sung of South Korea 15-8, 8-15, 12-15.

Susi defeated Gong Zhichao of China 13-10, 11-9 to set up the
final clash with old rival Ye Zhaoying. Joko beat fellow
Indonesian Indra Wijaya 15-13, 15-10 to meet Sun Jun.

Susi started out shakily and trailed 3-9 in the first game.
But the 1992 Olympic gold medalist and defending champion here
closed the gap by winning three consecutive points.

Gong reached 10-6 and needed only one more point for the game.
She appeared disturbed when her smash was called out and her
lapse in concentration allowed Susi to take the game.

The second game continued the see-saw pattern of the first.,
Susi won the first nine points before Gong clawed her way back to
square. The Indonesian's experienced told as she took two points
for the match.

"In the first game, my rallies were too slow and Gong could
control the shuttle better," Susi said.

"In the second game, I was careless in letting her back into
the game."

Susi's coach Liang Chiushia said her player had been
uncharacteristically impatient. "Susi rushed herself to win in
the second game and made unforced errors."

Ye beat young Indonesian hope Mia Audina 11-4, 5-11, 11-5.

Indosiar will air the finals live at 5:30 p.m.

Joko, 30, was too strong and experienced for giantkiller Indra
Wijaya, who eliminated defending champion Dong Jiong of China in
Friday's preliminary round.

Sun Jun beat Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia 15-11, 15-1.

Sigit/Candra failed to continue on their title spree, blaming
lack of preparation and their opponents' match strategy.

"After the Indonesian Open and the Singapore Open, we only had
two weeks to prepare for the championship. Besides, I think the
Koreans had studied our playing and anticipated," Candra said.

"In the third game at 12-12, when Sigit's smash hit the net,
the Koreans gained confidence and played even better. And we
became hesitant and careless."

Lee/Yong will challenge the 1996 Olympic gold medalists Ricky
Subagja/Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia, who beat Malaysians Choong Tan
Fook/Lee Wan Wah 15-12, 15-3.

In the women's doubles, Ge Fei/Gu Jun play Qin Yiyuan/Tan
Yongshu in an all-Chinese final.

Both ousted Indonesian pairs for final spots. Ge/Gu beat
second seeds Elysa/Zelin Resiana 15-9, 15-5, and Qin/Tang
defeated Indarti Issoliana/Finarsih 15-4, 15-9.

In the mixed doubles, world champions Liu Yong/Ge Fei play
Indonesia's Tri Kusherjanto/Minarti Timur.

Liu/Ge beat Flandy Limpele/Risyeu Rosalina 12-15, 15-7, 15-2
and Tri/Minarti defeated compatriots Imam Tohari/Emma Ermawati
15-4, 15-3.

Results

Men's singles: Sun Jun (Chn) bt Ong Ewe Hock (Mal) 15-11, 15-1;
Joko Suprianto (Ina) bt Indra Wijaya (Ina) 15-13, 15-10

Women's singles: Susi Susanti (Ina) bt Gong Zhichao (Chn) 13-10,
11-9; Ye Zhaoying (Chn) bt Mia Audina (Ina) 11-4, 5-11, 11-5

Men's doubles: Ricky Subagdja/Rexy Mainaky (Ina) bt Choong Tan
Fook/Lee Wan Wah (Mal) 15-12, 15-3; Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong-sung
(Kor) bt Sigit Budiarto/Candra Wijaya (Ina) 8-15, 15-8, 15-12

Women's doubles: Ge Fei/Gu Jun (Chn) bt Elysa/Zelin Resiana (Ina)
15-9, 15-5; Qin Yiyuan/Tan Yongshu (Chn) bt Indarti Issoliana/
Finarsih (Ina) 15-4, 15-9

Mixed doubles: Liu Yong/Ge Fei (Chn) bt Flandy Limpele/Risyeu
Rosalina (Ina) 12-15, 15-7, 15-2; Tri Kusherjanto/Minarti Timur
(Ina) bt Imam Tohari/Emma Ermawati (Ina) 15-4, 15-3