Susi bows to old foe Ye as Alan loses to Joko
Susi bows to old foe Ye as Alan loses to Joko
JAKARTA (JP): World champion Ye Zhaoying of China clawed her
way back to a hard-earned 12-9, 2-11, 12-9 victory over Susi
Susanti in the US$180,000 World Cup badminton championships
yesterday.
Susi, seeking revenge for her two defeats to Ye in the World
Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, almost three months ago,
dominated the early stage of the first and third sets but slumped
into a series of unforced errors that cost her the coveted title.
The two players avoided meeting after the World Championships.
Susi retained her world number one spot with two successive
victories in the Malaysia Open and the Indonesia Open, in the
absence of Ye. Susi opted out of the U.S. Open last month, which
was finally won by Ye, who made her first appearance since her
glorious campaign in Lausanne.
Thrillers also filled the Senayan indoor stadium earlier
yesterday as Joko Suprianto lifted the men's singles crown by
edging out Olympic gold medalist Alan Budikusuma 15-7, 11-15, 15-
8.
Playing before fanatical home fans, Susi stepped onto the
court with a convincing start. She exploited her lobs during a
number of rallies to go up 6-0.
But Ye fought back with her characteristic drop shots which
kept Susi running. Ye came charging to the net for a brilliant
winner to pull to 8-8. Susi managed to steal one more point
before netting two returns that handed Ye the opening set.
Susi maintained her attacking lobs in the second set, racing
to a 6-1 lead. Ye appeared lethargic as she let Susi take the
initiative throughout.
The decider was more or less a carbon copy of the first set,
with Susi dominating the early stages. She went up 6-3, before Ye
drilled her puzzling drop shots to move closer.
Ye displayed her stubborn patience during the nerve-wracking
decider as Susi began to lose her usual composure. Ye's victory
was just a matter of time. Susi managed to force a deuce, but she
squandered her only chance with two more netted drives.
"It is disappointing since I made too many unnecessary
mistakes," Susi said after the match. "Ye has so many killer
strokes. She has grown more mature now," added Susi, who had to
be content with $6,300 second prize.
Ye pocketed the winner's $9,000 check for her victory.
Substitute
Former world champion Joko proved he remains one of the
world's best players even among so many young prodigies. His
efficient game was the key to success, apart from Alan's error-
prone play.
Joko, 29, was only a substitute for top seed and reigning
world champion Hariyanto Arbi, who missed the invitational
tournament due to injury.
Joko played the same role in his victorious run in the 1992
meet in Guangzhou, China, where he replaced Alan, who was busy
with his triumphant campaign in the Barcelona Olympics.
"I learned a lot from these experiences that I'm not just a
substitute. Everybody can say my golden age has faded away, but I
don't care," Joko beamed after receiving the $11,700 cash prize.
It was Joko who controlled the match which lasted more than
one and a half hours. Joko, who was the clear favorite of the
crowd, hit every corner that left Alan's gamely charge at bay.
(amd)