Susi wins World Cup for fifth time

By Primastuti Handayani

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Susi Susanti of Indonesia grabbed the women's singles title at the Sanyo World Cup badminton championships at Among Rogo sports hall here yesterday.

Susi -- the 1992 Olympic gold medalist and 1996 Olympic bronze medalist -- beat arch rival Ye Zhaoying of China -- All England winner and world champion -- 11-8, 11-5 in a 27-minute match.

But Indonesia's Joko Supriyanto lost to Sun Jun of China 9-15, 8-15.

Ye led the first game 5-2 before Susi equaled 5-5. Both shuttlers kept earning points to tie at 8-8. But Ye's wide return on the right side of the court gave Susi the first game 11-8.

In the second game, Susi led 6-2 before Ye speeded up her game to climb to 5-6. But Ye made unforced errors and Susi took the match 11-5.

"In the second game, Ye began playing faster but at 6-5, I also tried to force her to move backward and forward," she said.

Ye, top ranked in the world, said: "I played badly today and Susi played better."

Susi, world ranked second, told a post-match conference: "I wanted sweet memories of the World Cup and I also wanted to win the championship for the fifth time, which is more than Li Lingwei."

Li Lingwei of China won the championship four times. Susi has now won it in 1989, 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997.

Ye has lost eight times to Susi in their 28 meetings.

"We often meet and we know each other's playing," Susi said.

Susi bagged the US$10,000 first prize while Ye received $7,000.

Susi, who wore red and white, said: "Wearing red is not lucky for me but since we're still celebrating Independence Day, I am wearing red-and-white."

Joko, who retired for about eight months, seemed powerless and slow against Sun, a finalist at the World Championship in Glasgow in March.

Sun earned points from his smashes to Joko's left side.

"Joko played very slowly tonight and he seemed tired. I moved fast and took control of the ball," Sun said.

"I've been dreaming of winning the World Cup. I lost in the World Championship finals but now I'm the real champion," he said.

Sun has only won once against Joko in their four meets.

The new champion Sun, who also won best player, received $13,000 while Joko earned $8,000.

Sun said he was "sorry" that Dane Peter Rasmussen had not come because "I want to beat him, too bad he didn't come".

Indonesia's giantkiller Indra Wijaya, who lost to Joko in the semifinals, received $1,000 for being the most energetic player.

The 1996 Olympic gold medalists Ricky Subagdja/Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia won over Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong-sung of South Korea 15- 1, 10-15, 15-3.

The men's doubles winner gets $14,000, while the runner up gets $10,000.

World champions and All England winners Ge Fei/Gu Jun of China had to work hard to eliminate compatriots Tang Yongshu/Qin Yiyuan 15-10, 9-15, 15-9 to win the women's doubles title.

Ge/Gu pocketed $12,000 while Qin/Tang received $8,000.

Liu Yong/Ge Fei of China beat Tri Kusharjanto/Minarti Timur of Indonesia 12-15, 15-7, 15-10.

Mixed doubles winner gets $10,000, and the runner-up gets $7,000

Results

Men's singles: Sun Jun (Chn) v Joko Suprianto (Ina) 15-9, 15-8 Women's singles: Susi Susanti (Ina) v Ye Zhaoying (Chn) 11-8, 11-5 Men's doubles: Ricky Subagdja/Rexy Mainaky (Ina) v Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong-sung (Kor) 15-1, 10-15, 15-3 Women's doubles: Ge Fei/Gu Jun (Chn) v Tang Yongshu/Qin Yiyuan (Chn) 15-10, 9-15, 15-9 Mixed doubles: Liu Yong/Ge Fei (Chn) v Tri Kusharjanto/Minarti Timur (Ina) 12-15, 15-7, 15-10