Susi Susanti becomes world number one again

JAKARTA (JP): Susi Susanti is back in her world number one spot after beating Ye Zhaoying of China, now ranked world number two, 4-11, 11-5, 11-5 in the Uber Cup final in Hong Kong last month.

According to the latest world rankings issued by the International Badminton Federation on Friday, South Korea's Bang Soo-hyun is still ranked world number three.

In the men's singles, Joko Supriyanto remains world number two, despite his 18-14, 15-5 win over reigning All-England champion Poul Erik-Hoyer Larsen in the Thomas Cup final, which was also fought out in Hong Kong last month.

This means that in the men's singles world ranking, no changes have occurred. Dong Jiong of China stays at number one, Denmark's Poul Erik number three, 1993 and 1994 All-England champion Hariyanto Arbi number four, Barcelona Olympic gold medalist Alan Budikusuma number five and 1991 All-England champion Ardy Bernadus Wiranata number six.

Mia Audina, who determined Indonesia's 3-2 win over China in the 1994 Uber Cup, has her world ranking raised from 11 to seven.

Mia, whose world ranking took a nose dive from five to 11 after suffering a knee injury last year, beat China's Wang Chen 11-4, 11-6 in the Uber Cup final last month.

The other Indonesian Uber Cuppers remain distant-placed. Meiluawati, who routed China's Zhang Ning 11-6, 11-2 in the Uber Cup final in Hong Kong, is world number 13. Yuliani Sentosa, who shed tears for not being fielded in the Uber Cup final, remains world number 15, one step ahead of teammate Lydia Djaelawidjaja.

In the men's doubles, Indonesia's strongest pair Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky is number one again after being shadowed by Malaysia's partnership of Cheach Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock, now world number two, for about two months.

World number three men's duo remains Huang Zhangzhong and Jiang Xin of China. World number four Deny Kantono and Antonius and world number five Gunawan and Bambang Suprianto are all Indonesian.

In the women's doubles, there is little change. Denmark's pair of Lisbet Stuer Lauridsen and Marlene Thomson is now world number three, pushing China's Qin Yi Yuan and Tang Yongshu to number four. China's Ge Fei and Gu Jun, unbeaten during the Uber Cup finals in Hong Kong, remain comfortably seated on the world number one pedestal. Right behind them is, as usual, the South Korea's partnership of Gil Young Ach and Jang Hye Ock.

Indonesia's strongest women's duo of Eliza and Zelin is still world number six. Their juniors, Lili Tampi and Finarsih, are also still world number 11.

In the mixed doubles, the world number one spot still belongs to South Korea's Park Joo Bong and Ra Kyung Min. Below them are Indonesians Minarti Timur and Trikus Hariyanto, followed by China's pair of Xingdong and Peng Xingyong. (arf)