Taufik to take on Gade Christensen
Taufik to take on Gade Christensen
JAKARTA (Agencies): Young Indonesian shuttler Taufik Hidayat will challenge world No. 1 Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark in the US$150,000 Konica Cup Singapore Open semifinals.
In Friday's quarterfinals, top-seeded Gade Christensen had to work hard to eliminate fifth-seeded Budi Santoso of Indonesia 13- 15, 15-7, 15-4.
Taufik overcame compatriot Marlev Mainaky 15-12, 15-2.
Saturday's match will be the third time the two have met in semifinals. Gade Christensen has won both previous matches. The 22-year-old Dane defeated the 18-year-old Indonesian in the All England final and the Sudirman Cup semifinals.
Taufik, who just won the 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medal, is expected by the Badminton Association of Indonesia to reach the semifinals.
In another semi, Hendrawan of Indonesia fought hard to upset third-seeded Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark 15-5, 8-15, 17-16. This victory was sweet revenge for the Indonesian as he had to bow out to the 1996 Olympic gold medalist in the World Championships quarterfinals.
Defending champion Hendrawan will face teammate Hariyanto Arbi, seeded 15. Hariyanto had to sweat out to defeat Malaysian Ong Ewe Hock 13-15, 15-9, 15-9. Hariyanto, better known for his leaping smashes, caused surprise a day earlier as he sent out second-seeded Fung Permadi, his senior who now represents Chinese Taipei.
With the satisfying results in the semifinals, PBSI's goal to bring home the men's singles title is getting closer to realization.
In the women's singles, giant-killer Kanako Yonekura of Japan continued her huge step by upsetting eighth-seeded Lee Kyung Won of South Korea 2-11, 11-8, 11-7. Yonekura, the 1998 Asian Games gold medalist, shocked badminton lovers by defeating top seed and the 1999 World Champion Camilla Martin.
Yonekura is to take on third-seeded Gong Zhichao of China in the semifinals. Gong defeated Malaysian Ng Mee Fen 11-1, 11-4.
In another semifinals match, second-seeded Ye Zhaoying of China will face sixth seeded Yasuko Mizui of Japan. Ye, world No. 2, beat fifth-seeded Mette Sorensen of Denmark 11-2, 11-6 while Yasuko had to work hard to send out fourth-seeded Kelly Morgan of Wales 1-11, 11-6, 13-10. (yan)