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)