Taufik eases to third round at Asian Championships

JAKARTA (JP): Men's singles defending champion Taufik Hidayat from Indonesia advanced easily to the third round of the US$150,000 JVC Asian Badminton Championships at Manila's Philsport Stadium on Wednesday.

World number five Taufik was too strong for home favorite Lloyd Escoses, whom he beat 15-6, 15-8.

Seeded number one in the tournament, Taufik, coming from victory at the Singapore Open on Sunday, will now face Chinese star Lin Dan who edged out Jang Young-soo of South Korea 16-13, 15-9.

If he can clear the third-round hurdle, Taufik looks likely to set up a quarterfinal match with Indonesian-born Fung Permadi, who is playing for Chinese Taipei. Fung will play Tam Kai Chuen of Hong Kong in the third round.

The Manila tournament is Taufik's second appearance in as many weeks after taking a three-month rest following an injury he sustained at the Sudirman Cup mixed team and World Championships in Seville in June.

The Philippines, a minnow in world badminton compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors, is playing host to a major tournament for the first time ever.

In the women's singles, top seed Wang Chen of Hong Kong, runner-up in the Indonesian Open, hardly broke into sweat while booking her third-round place, overpowering Dihani de Silva of Sri Lanka 11-1, 11-2.

Chinese Hu Ting outclassed Japanese Mika Anjo 11-3, 11-1 to face Iwala G of India who had a walk-over win over Indonesia's Ellen Angelina, whose participation was canceled by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) due to contractual problems.

Hu Ting may become Wang Chen's toughest opponent in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Singapore Open winner Zhang Ning of China had a convincing 11-1, 11-0 win over home player Alma Ledesma. But Wang Ting Ling of Hong Kong had to work hard before beating Popat Adarna of India 11-8, 11-7.

Indonesian Atu Rosalina also proceeded to the third round by defeating Chiu Yi Ju of Chinese Taipei 11-2, 11-9 while Huang Chia Chih had to flex her muscles before overcoming host Kennie Asuncion 9-11, 11-7, 11-2.

Wong Mew Choo of Malaysia was too powerful for Koon Wai Chee of Hong Kong with a 11-3, 11-6 victory while Lee Kyung-won of South Korea also had an easy win, notching 11-3, 11-3, over Huang Chia Shin of Chinese Taipei.

Chinese Tang Chunyue also recorded an overwhelming victory against Chandrika Hett of Sri Lanka, who managed only to score five points in both sets.

Also joining the survivors was Kanako Yonekura of Japan, who defeated Malaysian Wong Sze Mei 11-5, 11-9.

In the mixed doubles, Indonesians Alven Yulianto and Eny Erlangga outdueled Lu Fung Chieh and Chen Wan Ju of Chinese Taipei 15-9, 17-15 for a place in the second round. Another Indonesian pair, Tri Kusheryanto and Emma Ermawati proved too strong for home favorites Rodel Bartolome and Paula Obanana, who succumbed 3-15, 5-15.

In other matches, V. Diju and G. Jwala of India outclassed C. Gunaratne and D. De Silva of Sri Lanka 15-1, 15-0 and another Indian pair, Thomas Sanave and Kurian Shruti beat Hsia Cheng Wen and Chen Yi Ling of Chinese Taipei 3-15, 15-7, 17-15.

Other matches, including the men's doubles and women's doubles were played later in the evening. (nvn)