Top seeds ousted at Indonesia Open

By Primastuti Handayani

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The top seeds in the men's and women's singles -- Peter Gade Christensen and Camilla Martin, both of Denmark -- were upset in the quarterfinals of the US$150,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open at Yuwana Mandala Hall on Friday.

Gade Christensen, world number two and the All England champion, bowed out to world number 31 Marlev Mainaky of Indonesia 15-9, 15-13.

Martin, the World Champion and the world number two, was defeated by world number 16 Lidya Djaelawidjaja of Indonesia 13- 11, 7-11, 11-9.

The top seeded women's doubles team of Ann Jorgensen and Maiken Vange also exited the competition, losing to Emma Ermawati and Vita Marissa of Indonesia 4-15, 15-10, 10-15.

Marlev was at the top of his game in upsetting the 22-year-old Gade Christensen.

"Based on my experience in the All England, I already knew how to play against him. I concentrated on playing in front of the net to keep the shuttle in play," said the 27-year-old Indonesian.

"I think Peter didn't play very well today. He seemed very upset with his poor form and he was very angry with himself. I think it's probably because Camilla lost earlier," he said.

Gade Christensen did not speak to the press after the match, but his coach, Kenneth Larsen, said: "The Indonesian players are in top form; they really prepared themselves for the tournament. While our players are not in top form after the World Championships in May. They will be at their peak in six weeks for the Danish Open."

Marlev will face teammate Budi Santoso in an all-Indonesian affair in the semifinals. Budi beat compatriot Johan Hadikusuma 15-6, 6-15, 15-7 in the quarterfinals.

In another quarterfinal match, Taufik Hidayat topped Malaysian Yap Yong Jyen 15-7, 15-12. Taufik will now face veteran Indonesian shuttler Hendrawan in the semifinals. Hendrawan beat Singapore Open champion Hariyanto Arbi 15-5, 12-15, 15-9 in their quarterfinal match.

In the women's singles, the match between Lidya and Martin was a neck-to-neck battle from the opening points. Lidya and Martin split the first two sets, and Lidya found herself down 6-9 in the third set before taking control of the match.

"I was desperate in the third set when she was leading 9-6. I thought I would give up. But then I thought, when would I have a second chance if not today. So I started to fight and she made unforced errors," Lidya said.

After the match, Martin said: "Lidya played really well. Normally, I win easily over her. I didn't play really well today and she deserved to win."

In the semifinals, Lidya will meet compatriot Yuli Marfuah, who defeated world number 14 Judith Meulendijks of the Netherlands 11-8, 11-4 in the quarterfinals.

In another quarterfinal match, world number 30 Ellen Angelina of Indonesia upset World Championship semifinalist Mette Sorensen of Denmark 11-7, 11-9.

"It's difficult to play here because there was lots of wind, which I'm not used to. I think it's not the best place to play. On the contrary, the Indonesian players are in good shapes," Sorensen said.

In the semifinals, Ellen will face another Danish player, Mette Pedersen, who outlasted Margit Borg 0-11, 11-5, 11-9 in their quarterfinal match.

Results

Men's singles: Marlev Mainaky (Ina) bt Peter Gade Christensen (Den) 15-9, 15-13; Budi Santoso (Ina) bt Johan Hadikusuma (Ina) 15-6, 6-15, 15-7; Hendrawan (Ina) bt Hariyanto Arbi (Ina) 15-5, 12-15, 15-9; Taufik Hidayat (Ina) bt Yap Yong Jyen (Mal) 15-7, 15-12.

Women's singles: Lidya Djaelawidjaja (Ina) bt Camilla Martin (Den) 13-11, 7-11, 11-9; Yuli Marfuah (Ina) bt Judith Meulendijks (Den) 11-8, 11-4; Ellen Angelina (Ina) bt Mette Sorensen (Den) 11-7, 11-9; Mette Pedersen (Den) bt Margit Borg (Swe) 0-11, 11-5, 11-9.

Men's doubles: Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (Ina) bt Pramote Teerawiwatana/Tesana Pansisavas (Tha) 15-5, 15-5; Michael Sogaard/Jim Laugesen (Den) bt Flandy Limpele/Wahyu Agung (Ina) 11-15, 15-11, 15-5; Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky (Ina) bt Santosa Sugiarjo/Ade Lukas (Ina) 17-14, 15-10; Jens Eriksen/Jesper Larsen (Den) bt Antonius/Halim Heryanto (Ina) 15-7, 13-15, 15-7.

Women's doubles: Emma Ermawati/Vita Marissa (Ina) bt Ann Jorgensen/Maiken Vange (Den) 15-4, 10-15, 15-10; Elysa/Deyana Lomban (Ina) bt Mette Schjoldager/Ann-Lou Jorgensen (Den) 15-13, 17-16; Helene Kirkegaard/Rikke Olsen (Den) bt Indarti Issolina/Carmelita (Ina) 15-8, 15-1; Etty Tantri/Cynthia Tuwankotta (Ina) bt Angelina de Pauw/Enny Widowati (Ina) 17-14, 15-6.

Mixed doubles: Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (Den) bt Imam Tohari/Vita Marissa (Ina) 15-5, 15-5; Bambang Suprianto/Zelin Resiana (Ina) bt Fredrik Bergstrom/Jenny Karlsson (Swe) 15-5, 15-13; Wahyu Agung/Emma Ermawati (Ina) bt Jens Eriksen/Mette Schjoldager (Den) 15-10, 15-11; Tri Kusherjanto/Minarti Timur (Ina) bt Nova Widianto/Upi Chrisnawati (Ina) 15-6, 15-1.