Susi exacts sweet revenge from Mizui
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Susi Susanti gained sweet revenge over her Asian Games conqueror Hisako Mizui of Japan to waltz safely into the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Open badminton championships yesterday.
Hundreds of home fans watched Susi dance on the court during a series of long, exhausting rallies which smashed Mizui's patience. The only real challenge experienced by Susi was in the first set, when she trailed 4-6 before turning the tables for a stylish 11-6, 11-1 win.
Smarting from her successive upset defeats in the World Championships, Susi displayed her flawless combination of court coverage and ball placement to end Mizui's struggle in just 27 minutes.
Mizui, who dashed Susi's dreams of an Asian Games gold medal last year, took on a more aggressive opponent yesterday. The Japanese could do nothing but allow Susi's well-aimed strokes flash across her court.
"I worked hard to improve my rhythm of play following my upset days in the World Championships, and I did it," Susi said after the match. Susi was back on the court after a two-month lay-off with an impressive wins over her major rivals for the Malaysia Open title last week.
"I have already regained my confidence," said Susi, who is defending champion but was seeded second this year.
Susi will now play South Korean Ra Kyung-min in today's quarterfinals. Ra edged out Wang Chen of China 11-6, 11-5 yesterday.
Top seed Bang Soo-hyun of South Korea also marched into the quarters after making short work of Ika Henny of Indonesia 11-4, 11-5. Bang will meet unheralded Chinese Dai Yun who upset Indonesian Meiluawati 11-5, 11-5.
Meiluawati sprang a surprise earlier in morning when she ousted All-England finalist Camilla Martin of Denmark 7-11, 11-5, 11-2.
Major upset continued to spark the US$170,000 badminton competition earlier in the morning, when two seeded women's singles were forced to make an early exit after their second round matches.
Home favorite Mia Audina opened the seeded players whitewashing when she crashed to South Korean Kim Ji-hyun in a thrilling three-setter 11-3, 5-11, 10-12 which lasted an hour.
Mia got off to a flying start when she swiftly closed the opening set. Kim, however, managed to capitalize on a tired Mia, pushing the 15-year-old Indonesian to back court in a number of long rallies.
The cheering fans failed to help Mia regain her best form in the decider. Despite Mia's brilliant efforts which forced a 10-10 tie, Kim did not find any more trouble in sealing the match.
"I am extremely exhausted after two weeks of play recently," a dejected Mia said. The Indonesian Uber Cup heroine fell in the last hurdle to world number one Bang in the Asia Cup in China two weeks ago and lost to the same player in the Malaysia Open semifinals last week.
In the men's singles, defending champion Ardy Wiranata and world champion Hariyanto Arbi led seven Indonesian players to reach the quarterfinals. Ardy had a little trouble in the first set against Liu En Hong of Chinese Taipei before claiming a 15- 13, 15-2 win.
World champion Hariyanto moves closer to renewing his rivalry against his predecessor Joko Suprianto in today's quarterfinals. Hariyanto outlasted fellow Indonesian Nunung Subandoro 15-8, 15- 12. (amd)