Susi exacts sweet revenge from Mizui
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)