Susi Susanti top seeded for Grand Prix Finals
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's world number one Susi Susanti is seeded first for the US$380,000 1997 Lipton World Grand Prix Badminton Finals here next month.
Susi, aiming to defend her title for a record seventh victory in the event, will have to struggle against an army of seven Chinese players, including second and third seeds, Ye Zhaoying and Gong Zhichao.
A seventh title for the Tasikmalaya, West Java, native will make her the first female player to achieve the feat in a Grand Prix tournament. The women's singles winner takes home $24,700.
Susi's compatriot Mia Audina is sixth in the seedings after Dane Camilla Martin and Chinese Dai Yun. The tournament will be held at Senayan Indoor Stadium on Dec. 10-Dec. 14.
In the men's singles, Denmark's Peter Gade Christensen leads the seeding, followed by Dong Jiong and Sun Jun, both Chinese.
The 1996 Olympic gold medalist, Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, and reigning World Champion Peter Rasmussen, also Danes, are fourth and fifth seeded respectively.
Defending champion Fung Permadi, Indonesian born but who now plays for Chinese Taipei, did not qualify for the championships.
Indonesia's Hariyanto Arby, who is trying to return to the top ranks, is the sixth seed, followed by veteran Hermawan Susanto.
Other veterans Ardy B. Wiranata and Alan Budikusuma are the 11th and 13th seeds, thanks to fine performances in the last Grand Prix series tournaments.
Young shuttler Budi Santoso is the ninth seed, and giantkiller Indra Wijaya is 12th. Hendrawan, also on the comeback trail, is the 15th seed.
Indonesian Open finalist Marlev Mainaky is the 14th seed.
Indonesian men doubles pairing, Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto, are top seeded, and veteran defending champions Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky seeded third.
Both doubles teams face a tough challenge from South Korea's Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong-sung and old rivals Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock of Malaysia.
Indonesia's Antonius/Denny Kantono and Hermono/Eng Hian also qualified for the event.
Women's doubles
In the women's doubles, China's top seeded Ge Fei/Gu Jun are likely to continue their dominance of the sport, with their strongest tests from second seeded compatriots Qin Yiyuan/Tang Yongshu and Indonesia's Eliza/Zelin Resiana.
In the mixed doubles, top seeded Liu Yong/Ge Fei of China will have to be wary of Danish threats Jens Eriksen/Marlene Thomsen, and defending champion Michael Soogard/Rikke Olsen.
Indonesia's former world number one pairing, Minarti Timur/Tri Kusharjanto, are the fifth seeds, a spot below the new partnership of Bambang Suprianto/Riseu Rosalina. (yan)