Susilo Overcomes Taufik Finally
Here's Straits Times report on the performance of some of our Singapore players who were involved in the Malaysian Open in Kuantan.
JULY 2, 2004
BADMINTON
Susilo beats Taufik, finally
But after overcoming one nemesis, he now faces another, Chen Hong
By Peh Shing Huei
AFTER five tries, Ronald Susilo has finally overcome one of the most stubborn obstacles in his playing career. The Singaporean edged out Asian champion Taufik Hidayat 13-15, 15-9, 15-8 in the third round of the US$120,000 (S$205,000) Malaysia Open yesterday.
It was his first win over the Indonesian since turning professional in 1998.
The Republic's top shuttler could not mask his excitement. Amid much laughter, he said: 'Yes, finally, I beat my arch-enemy. I wanted this so badly.
'Despite trailing, I just refused to give up. I did not want to lose, not again. 'So I fought and fought, and in the end, I edged him out because I was fitter. I had that extra bit of stamina.'
Before last night's match in Kuantan, the 25-year-old had lost to Taufik, 22, in all four meetings.
When they were trainees at Jakarta's famous Jaya Raya Club, Susilo used to beat Taufik regularly.
But, after Susilo came to Singapore, Taufik had the edge.
After his last defeat at the Batam Masters two years ago, an exasperated Susilo remarked: 'I can't figure out why I keep losing to him.'
He finally deciphered the mystery. Taufik's game is built around a venomous smash and superb control of the net. But he is known to crack against stubborn defensive players who repeatedly return his 'winners'.
So last night, world No 10 Susilo switched to a patient game, electing to drag the Indonesian, ranked 11th, across the four corners to defuse his explosive style.
It worked beautifully, leading the frustrated and tired Taufik into unforced errors.
'Unlike in the past,' said Susilo, who beat Malaysia's Saman Ismail 15-6, 15-5 in the second round, 'I don't lose concentration that easily now.'
His confidence has also been on the up since April's Japan Open victory.
In fact, he has been tipped by fellow players and coaches for a medal at next month's Athens Olympics.
He said: 'I don't have top sparring partners to train with every day, so tournaments are my only gauge of where I stand. At least I know I'm on the right track now.'
His conversation with Timesport then turned to his other nemesis - Chen Hong of China.
The world No 2 has beaten the Singaporean eight consecutive times. Will tonight's quarter-final be No 9?
'Never mind,' said the feisty Singaporean. 'I may have lost each time, but I'm still confident that I can beat him.'
Singapore also had another pleasant result from Kuantan.
Women's doubles pair Jiang Yanmei and Li Yujia, ranked 29th in the world, upset No 7 Rikke Olsen and Ann-Lou Jorgensen of Denmark 15-13, 15-5 in the round of 16.
This is the Singapore duo's biggest victory since teaming up a year ago.
But like Susilo, they have another tough task today. They will play China's world No 4 pair of Wei Yili and Zhao Tingting.
Unfortunately, there was disappointment in the singles.
Jiang had earlier crashed out in the second round 0-11, 2-11 to China's third seed Zhou Mi.
There were hopes in the Singapore camp of a possible upset, for Jiang had been sharp and workmanlike in her earlier demolition of Indonesia's No 1 Silvi Antarini 11-6, 11-1.
Although Jiang turned to singles play only a year ago, she has done well enough to qualify for the Athens Games.
Another to fall was compatriot Li Li, who was defeated 11-9, 6-11, 4-11 by Thailand's top player Salakjit Polsana in the first round.
Malaysian Lee Chong Wei Defeated Peter Gade To Enter QF
Another report from the Star on the performance of Malaysian shuttlers.
Friday July 2, 2004
Singles shuttler Chong Wai in last eight
BY LOGANATH VELLOO
KUANTAN: Lee Chong Wei is the lone Malaysian shuttler through to the men's singles quarter-finals of the Malaysian Open Badminton Championship at the Sukpa Badminton Hall here last night.
Chong Wei, last year's finalist put on a gallant display to oust Denmark's number one Peter Gade Christensen 12-15, 15-3, 17-16 in an epic battle lasting 96 minutes in the third round last night.
Chong Wei made life difficult for himself as he threw away a 12-6 lead in the first game to lose 12-15 to the fifth seed from Denmark.
However, the 13th seed regained his composure to nail Gade Christensen with his pin-point smashes and brilliant net play to take the second game 15-3.
In the rubber game, Chong Wei again held the upper hand when he took a 12-8 lead, and held match point at 14-12.
GREAT FIGHTBACK: Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei celebrates after coming back from the brink of defeat against Denmark's Peter Gade Christensen to win a third rounf tie in the men's singles event of the Malaysian Open Badminton Championship in Kuantan last night.-Starpic by Kamarul Ariffin.
But then the experienced Christensen hit back to force deuce and storm into a 16-14 lead.
Just when the home crowd thought that Malaysia's last hope was going to crash out, Chong Wei found his second wind to come back in style to win the game 17-16 after numerous service changes and allegations of bad line calls by both players.
“I could have won easily but made life difficult by being to eager to close out the game. I proceeded to make too many errors, but I am happy that I recovered at the crucial moment to defeat Christensen,†said Chong Wei.
He will now meet China's Bao Chunlai in a repeat of last year's clash at the same stage in Kota Kinabalu last year. Then, the Penangite won 9-15, 15-13, 15-11 in his only match against the world number four.
“I do not fear Chunlai and want to repeat my last year's victory over him. However, I am exhausted and my legs are feeling very heavy at the moment. I hope I can recover in time to take him on tomorrow (today),†added the Malaysian.
Chunlai himself had to dig deep into his reserves before dispatching Malaysian number two Roslin Hashim 15-5, 6-15, 15-10.
Roslin had also lost to the Chinese player 5-15, 9-15 in the quarter-finals of the Japan Open in April.
Although Chong Wei's marathon encounter with Christensen had the fans on the edge of their seats, it could not match the quality of the third round encounter between top seed Lin Dan and Malaysian Hafiz Hashim.
The Chinese world number one edged out a narrow 17-14, 15-13 victory in the battle between the 2003 and 2004 All England champions.
Hafiz, who has not had a good run in competitions lately, played out of his skin to match Lin Dan stroke for stroke and constantly had the Chinese player at his mercy.
“Without doubt, it was my best match of the year. It is one of those rare occasions when I can be satisfied with my performance despite losing the tie.
“Lin Dan played exceptionally well but I made several simple mistakes and that cost me the tie,†said Hafiz.
Six Malaysians fell by the wayside in the men's second round matches played in the morning yesterday.
Lee Tsuen Seng played one of his very few better matches this year, but it was not enough to stop Lin Dan from chalking up a 15-4, 15-7 win.
James Chua's comeback from a long layoff was cut short by Roslin who won 12-15, 5-15 while Kuan Beng Hong took 11th seed Cai Yun to three games but lost his momentum when it mattered most to lose 10-15, 15-6, 3-15.
The other local players who lost were Ismail Saman, Salim Sameon and Yeoh Kay Bin, who was beaten by Christensen 15-4, 15-11 in the second round.
Meanwhile, Young Malaysian pair Ong Soon Hock-Tan Bin Shen qualified for their first ever quarter-finals in an international tournament when they defeated South Koreans Lee Jae Jin-Hwang Ji Man 15-10, 15-13 last night.
They were joined in the last eight by national number one pair Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah. Tan Fook and Wan Wah got their second Indonesian scalp in as many days with a 15-5, 15-10 victory over Hendra Gunawan-Joko Riyadi.
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