Taufik ranks second, Christensen takes over

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's singles player Taufik Hidayat dropped to second place in the International Badminton Federation (IBF) world rankings after sitting out the US$250,000 Korea Open last week.

Taufik missed the event because he was banned for two international matches by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) following his criticism of association chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo.

Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark moved back to the top of the world rankings as a result of his victory at the event.

Olympics bronze medalist Xia Xuanze of China moved up to third in the rankings. He was followed by Indonesian Olympic silver medalist Hendrawan, who also skipped the Korea Open to get married.

Indonesia's Marlev Mainaky, Indonesia's only men's singles shuttler to reach the Korea Open quarterfinals, moved from 10th to seventh in the rankings.

In the men's doubles, Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian retained their top spot in the rankings despite their early exit from the Korea Open. Flandy and Eng Hian lost in the third round to the Danish duo of Michael Lamp and Jonas Rasmussen.

Olympic gold medalists Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan dropped from second to fifth in the rankings. The pair were split up for the Korea Open.

Candra, playing with former partner Sigit Budiarto, was ousted in the second round, while Tony and Halim Heryanto reached the quarterfinals.

The pairing of Sigit and Halim were ranked sixth in the world, while the veteran duo of Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky were 14th. Rexy retired last year and has moved to England to work as a coach.

In the women's singles, Denmark's Camilla Martin used her victory in the Korea Open to return to the top spot in the rankings, ousting rival and Olympic gold medalist Gong Zhichao of China.

Korea Open runner-up Kim Ji-hyun jumped from sixth to third position, a fitting reward for her Korea Open final appearance.

In the women's doubles, Huang Nanyan and Yang Wei remained on top, followed by Olympic gold medalists Ge Fei and Gu Jun.

Indonesia's Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwankotta were ranked seventh on the list even though Cynthia missed the Korea Open with an ankle injury. Etty and partner Indarti Issoliana reached the second round of the event.

In the mixed doubles, Denmark's Michael Sogaard and Rikke Olsen retained the number one position, with Olympic champions Zhang Jun and Gao Ling moving up three places to number two.

Olympic silver medalists Tri Kusherjanto and Minarti Timur were sixth on the list, while compatriots Bambang Suprianto and Zelin Resiana were 10th. (yan)