2006-06-04 12:36:54 CRIENGLISH.com Taufik Hidayat will meet his Chinese nemesis Bao in the finals as Indonesia eyes three titles at the Indonesian Open badminton championship finals. Taufik fought back Saturday to beat Chen Yu 19-21, 21-17, 21-16 and extend his winning streak over the Chinese to six in as many meetings between the two. Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan in the men's doubles and Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir in the mixed doubles also cruised to the finals to defend the titles they won last year in Jakarta. Bao Chunlai advanced to the finals after stopping compatriot Yanbo Qiu 21-16, 21-13. Taking to the court with a formidable record, Taufik found his opponent a tough nut to crack early on. "I did not expect Chen to play such a good game. His placings were difficult to take," Taufik told Antara. About Bao, whom he has only beat once in four meetings, the Olympic champion said he was ready to reduce the win-lose record. "Hopefully, I can keep my fitness. He is an outstanding player," he said. In the men's doubles, Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan salvaged Indonesia's hopes after Luluk Hadiyanto and Alvent Yulianto crashed in their semifinal match early. Kido and Hendra also had to battle for three games before overcoming Jung Jae-sung and Lee Yong-dae 21-23, 21-17, 21-16. They will face former teammates Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan in the final. Candra, who quit the national training center after last month's Thomas Cup, and Tony Gunawan, who now plays for the United States, demonstrated their solid game, defeating Luluk and Alvent 21-14, 21-16. Candra and Tony are playing for the first time in five years since the pair gave Indonesia a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. They are now looking for a second scalp. "Kido and Setiawan ... we are waiting for them in the finals. They are Indonesia's best. It will be a tough game out there," Tony told The Jakarta Post. Meanwhile, Nova and Liliyana defeated Lee Jae-jin and Lee Hyo-jung 21-11, 21-16 to face Zhongbo Xie and Yawen Zhang. The Chinese opponents brushed aside Thailand's Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam 22-20, 21-12. China is assured of titles in the other two events, with the players managing to set all-China finals. Zhu Lin will meet Lu Lan in the women's singles while Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen will take on Wei Yili and Zhang Yawen in the women's doubles. (Source: Jakarta Post)
