Shocking whitewash for China in Japan

Discussion in 'Korean Open 2004 / Japan Open 2004' started by ants, Apr 11, 2004.

  1. ants

    ants Regular Member

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    TOKYO: China's mighty badminton team left the US$180,000 Japan Open empty-handed and their pride bruised and battered after yesterday's final day of competition at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium.

    It was also a day for the underdogs as Singapore's Ronald Susilo and Holland's Mia Audina, both Indonesian-born, registered the biggest wins in their careers.

    The 25-year-old Ronald, a surprise finalist, stunned favourite Bao Chunlai of China 15-13, 15-6 for the men's singles title.

    It was the Ronald's biggest win in his career. Prior to yesterday's achievement, Ronald, who has been a nemesis to some of the world's top player, had only won the 2003 Thailand Open title before.

    China's Chen Hong stopped him from winning the 2002 Singapore Open while China's Lin Dan halted his progress in the semi-final of the All-England this year.

    But yesterday, Ronald finally ended his jinx against a Chinese player.

    Ranked 15th in the world, Ronald won US$14,400 for his feat. And he will also make a big leap up the world rankings that will help his qualification for the Athens Olympic Games.

    In women's singles the 25-year-old Mia broke the reign of the Chinese women's in an Open tournament after a long time.

    The world number four scored her biggest career victory with a 7-11, 11-7, 11-7 win over the world number one and top seed Gong Ruina.

    Mia last won the 2003 Taiwan Open but China's top women players skipped that meet.

    There was also disappointment for China in the men and women's doubles event when they lost to Korean opponents.

    Kim Dong-moon-Ha Tae-kwon finally got back on the winning track. The duo, who last won the Taiwan Open last November, edged Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng 15-7, 6-15, 15-6.

    Just a day after beating the world number one pair of Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen, Ra Kyung-min-Lee Kyung-won continued their impressive run by beating Wei Yili-Zhao Tingting 17-15, 15-11.

    (All finals)

    n Men's singles: Ronald Susilo (Sin) bt Bao Chunlai (Chn) 15-13, 15-6

    n Men's doubles: Kim Dong-moon-Ha tae-kwon (Kor) bt Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng (Chn) 15-7, 6-15, 15-6

    n Women's singles: Mia Audina (Ned) bt Gong Ruina (Chn) 7-11, 11-7, 11-7

    n Women's doubles: Ra Kyung-min-Lee Kyung-won (Kor) bt Wei Yili-Zhao Tingting (Chn) 17-15, 15-11.

    n Mixed doubles: Nova Widianto-Vita Marissa (Ina) bt Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thungthongkam (Tha) 15-10, 15-13


    TheStar
     

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