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Indonesia claimed mixed and men's doubles titles in China Open Super Series 2007. Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir became the champions of mixed doubles after defeating Thailand's Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam in the final. The Thais saved the first game by 15-21. In the second game, despite of the hard fight displayed by the Thais, Nova/Lilyana managed to grab the game. In the decider, Nova/Lilyana crushed the Thai pair by 21-11.

Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan grabbed their first ever Super Series title. Markis/Hendra won over a home pair, Guo Zhengdong/Xie Zhongbo, by 21-12, 21-19. The match featured some controversies in line judging and fault which gave advantage to the Chinese pair.

The home crowd still have something to cheer for as Bao Chunlai and Gao Ling/Zhao Tingting secured two titles in men's singles and women's doubles, respectively. Bao beat Malaysia's favorite, Lee Chong Wei, 21-12, 21-13. Gao/Zhao beat their younger compatriots, Yu Yang/Du Jing, 17-21, 21-15, and 21-8.

The host  was given a shock when Xie Xingfang, the world's number one, lost to Malaysia's Wong Mew Choo in the event which Chinese players usually dominate. Wong won by 21-16, 8-21, and 21-17. The Malaysian beat two China's top players en route to final.


Next stop: Hong Kong Open Super Series 2007.

Indonesia's Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir advanced to the semifinals of mixed doubles event after beating their compatriots, Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa, 14-21, 21-13, and 21-7. Indonesia's hope is still alive in the tournament as its pair, Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan, beat Jen's Eriksen/Martin Lungaard Hansen of Denmark in the quarterfinals. Kido/Setiawan book the ticket for semifinals after beating the Danes, 18-21, 21-16, and 21-16. Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Indonesia's current highest ranked player, was shown the exit by Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei, 10-21, 21-19, and 14-21. According to an Indonesia team official, Kuncoro made too many unforced errors in the decider. It prevented him from repeating his success in the 2007 world championships in Kuala Lumpur, in which he beat the Malaysian in the second round and created the biggest dissappointment for the home crowd at the time. Indonesia's last hope in the women's doubles event, Lilyana Natsir/Vita Marissa, was defeated by a home pair, Pan Pan/Tian Qing, 11-21, 21-23.

Semifinals line ups:

Mixed doubles:
Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir (INA) vs Nathan Robertson/Gail Emms
Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam (THA) vs Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen (CHN)

Men's Doubles:
Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan (INA) vs Fang Chieh Min/Lee Sheng Mu (TPE)
Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (MAS) vs Guo Zhengdong/Xie Zhongbo (CHN)

Men's Singles:
Bao Chunlai (CHN) vs Park Sung Hwan (KOR)
Chen Jin (CHN) vs Lee Chong Wei (MAS)

Women's Doubles:
Zhang Yawen/Wei Yili (CHN) vs Du Jing/Yu Yang (CHN)
Gao Ling/Zhao Tingting (CHN) vs Pan Pan/Tian Qing (CHN)

Women's Singles:
Wong Mew Choo (MAS) vs Zhang Ning (CHN)
Xie Xingfang (CHN) vs Lu Lan (CHN) 


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Indonesia couldn't save a title in Japan as its three representatives lost in the finals. In the mixed doubles final, Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir lost to China's Zheng Bo/Gao Ling, 19-21, 14-21. The Chinese pair was the pair that Widianto/Natsir beat in the finals of world championships last month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Luluk Hadiyanto/Alvent Yulianto, Indonesia's second men's doubles pair, lost to their former teammates in Pelatnas (Indonesia's training center), Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (INA/USA), 18-21, 17-21.

Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia beat Taufik Hidayat in a very close match which ended 22-20, 19-21, 21-19. In the decider, the Malaysian led by 20-14 before Taufik closed the gap by gaining 5 points in a row, and made it 20-19. Lee got his one last point needed and won over olympic and former world champion, Taufik Hidayat. The Malaysian made up for his fans' disappointment over his failure in the world championships in which he had lost to Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the second round.

China was given a shock when Xie Xingfang lost to Denmark's Tine Rasmussen in straight game, 21-15, 21-17. The Dane was eliminating three Chinese players, Jiang Yanjiao (Asian champion), Zhang Ning (world's number one), and Lu Lan (seventh seed) en route to final. The women's singles event is dominated by Chinese players, only a few of women players could break the domination.

The women's doubles final features an all chinese final. Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen crushed Zhao Tingting/Yu yang, 21-17, 21-5, to clich the title.


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The quarterfinals of Yonex Open Japan Super Series 2007 are still full of suprises. Zhang Ning (CHN), the first seed in the women's singles event, was shown the exit by Tine Rasmussen (DEN). The Chinese bowed out after playing for 49 minutes in a close match which ended 13-21, 21-16, 18-21. Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia outplayed Park Sung Hwan of South Korea, and booked one ticket in the semifinals. Lin Dan (CHN), the world's number one, defeated Peter Gade (DEN), and advance to the semifinals. Malaysia's only survivor in the tournament, Lee Chong Wei, beat China's Chen Jin quite easily. The Malaysian won 21-7, 21-16.

Indonesia's Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir are through to the semifinals of mixed doubles after beating Thailand's Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam, 13-21, 21-14, 21-18. However, Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa failed to handle Han Sang Hoon/Lee Hyo Jung of South Korea. The Koreans won 21-13, 17-21, 19-21. The first seeds in the event, Zheng Bo/Gao Ling (CHN) beat Anthony Clark/Donna Kellogg (ENG), and ensured one spot in tomorrow's semifinals.

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So many upsets and suprises happened in the second round. Men's doubles' first and second seeds are out. Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun (CHN) lost to Lars Paske/Jonas Rasmussen (DEN), and Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boong Heong (MAS) lost to Indonesia's Luluk Hadiyanto/Alvent Yulianto. Malaysia's veterans, Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah, were stunned by Hendra Wijaya/Hendri Saputra (SIN), while Denmark veterans, Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen, were defeated by a home pair, Shuichi Sakamoto/Shintaro Ikeda.

In the men's singles event, Chen Yu (CHN) and Kenneth Jonassen (DEN), who seeded seventh and eighth were also shown the exits by Chan Yan Kit (HKG) and Park sung Hwan, respectively. Indonesia still keeps its hope alive in this event after Taufik Hidayat and Simon Santoso advanced to the quarterfinals. Hidayat outplayed Malaysia's Yeoh Kay Bin, and Santoso beat Thailand's number one, Boonsak Ponsana. The Thai has played magnificently in the second round by beating the second seed, Bao Chunlai (CHN). Taufik will play Park Sung Hwan (KOR) and Simon will take on Chan Yan Kit (HKG) in the quarterfinals. Should they win, they will face each other in the semifinals.

Indonesia's last survivor in the women's singles event, Maria Kristin Yulianti, ended her journey after losing to South Korea's Jun Jae Youn. The first and second seeds are through to the quarterfinals. Zhang Ning and Xie Xingfang , both from China, will play Tine Rasmussen (DEN) and Pi Hongyan (FRA), respectively. 

Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir, the newly crowned world champions, are through to the quarterfinals. The Indonesians will face Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam (THA). Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa, Indonesia's number second pair, will play Han Sang Hoon/Lee Hyo Jung (KOR). The first seeds, Zheng Bo/Gao Ling (CHN) will play the fifth seeds, Anthony Clark/Donna Kellogg (ENG).

Indonesia's hope in the women's doubles ended when Lilyana Natsir/Vita Marissa lost to the second seeds Gao Ling/Huang Sui (CHN) in a thrilling three-game match. The Chinese pair secured the first game, and the Indonesians took the second. In the decider, despite of leading 18-13, the Indonesians failed to maintain the lead and lost 19-21.


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Indonesia failed to secure even one title in the tournament. Malaysia and Hongkong prevented China from clean-sweeping. Malaysian player, Lee Chong Wei, defeated China's Bao Chunlai in the final. Lee won in straight game, 21-15, 21-16. While Hongkong player, Wang Chen, grabbed the title of women's singles after thrashing Zhu Lin of China by 21-14, 21-13. The three other titles belong to China. Du Jing/Yu Yang beat their compatriot Zhao Tingting/Yang Wei in the final of women's doubles. The world's number one, Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun, had to sweat before securing the title of men's doubles. Fu/Cai got a hard fight against newly paired, Mohd Zakry/Mohd Fairuzzizuan, of Malaysia. The Malaysian pair went down by 21-17, 22-20. Zheng Bo/Gao Ling, China's rising mixed doubles pair, humiliated Indonesian pair, Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir. Widianto/Natsir lost 21-16, 21-11.

Indonesian players bad results:
Finals: 
Mixed Doubles:
Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir lost to Zheng Bo/Gao Ling (CHN).

Semifinals:
Men's Singles:
Taufik Hidayat lost to Bao Chunlai (CHN).

Quarterfinals:
Women's Singles:
Maria Kristin Yulianti lost to Petya Nedeltcheva (BUL).
Men's Singles:
Sony Dwi Kuncoro lost to Taufik Hidayat.
Men's Doubles:
Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan lost to Koo Kean Kiet/Tan Boong Heong (MAS).


There are still more players who lost in the earlier rounds. Indonesia needs to be worried especially for the upcoming Sudirman Cup in June. Indonesia, as the fifth seeds, is in the same group with Denmark (the second seeds), Korea (the third seeds), and Hongkong (the eighth seeds).

Group 1 A
China (the first seeds)
Malaysia (the fourth seeds)
Thailand (the sixth seeds)
Inggris (the seventh seeds)

Group 1B
Denmark
Korea
Indonesia
Hongkong

The Sudirman Cup will be held at Scotstoun International Sports Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, from June 11-17. The winners of Group 1A will face the runners-up in Group 1B and the winners of Group 1B will face the runners-up in Group 1A in the semi-finals. Hopefully, Indonesian players can do better, much better than in this year's Indonesia Open.


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Boonsak Ponsana (THA) beat Chen Yu (CHN) 21-17, 21-14.
Zhang Ning (CHN) beat Xie Xingfang (CHN) 21-18, 19-21, and 21-3.
Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun (CHN) beat Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (MAS) 16-21, 24-22, and 21-18.
Zhang Yawen/Wei Yili (CHN) beat Zhao Tingting/Yang Wei (CHN) 10-21, 21-19, and 21-18.
Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa (INA) beat Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam (THA) 21-14, 21-13.


Limpele/Marissa grabbed Indonesia's first Super Series 2007 title. Ponsana's victory over Chen sends a message to the world of Badminton that China's domination in the men's singles can be shaken. Before defeating Chen in the final, the Thai player beat Lin Dan, the world's number one, from China in the quarterfinals. Zhang, who is 32, once again proves that she is still competitive enough against younger players. It's making sense why Chinese national training camp still keeps her in the squad. Choong/Lee was so close from victory, but they fell down 21-18 in the decider. NO comment on the women's doubles final.


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Mixed Doubles
Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa (INA) beat Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir (INA) 21-16, 16-21, 21-17.
Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam (THA) beat Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen (CHN) 16-21, 22-20, 21-18.

The first and second seeds are out. Limpele/Marissa are the only hope for Indonesia to grab a title in this tournament. The Thai pair really improved a lot, by beating the world's strongest pairs en route to the final. FYI, Thailand placed two representatives in the finals. Thank's to Boonsak Ponsana's impressive play.

Men's Doubles
Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun (CHN) beat Tony Gunawan/Candra Wijaya (USA/INA) 18-21, 23-21, 21-11.
Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (MAS) beat Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan (INA) 21-18, 21-13.

The semifinals in this event featured youth vs experience affairs. In the first semifinal match, the youth managed to overcome the experience. However, in the other semifinal match, the experience were too strong for the youth. Indonesia failed to secure one ticket in the final.

Women's Doubles
Zhao Tingting/Yang Wei (CHN) beat Gao Ling/Zhang Jiewen (CHN) walkover.
Zhang Yawen/Wei Yili (CHN) beat Lee Kyung Won/Lee Hyo Jung (KOR) 21-12, 21-12.

All Chinese final in the women's doubles event.

Men's Singles
Chen Yu (CHN) beat Peter Gade (DEN) 21-15, 23-25, 21-17.
Boonsak Ponsana (THA) beat Ronald Susilo (SIN) 21-13, 21-15.

It's quite surprising to see Ponsana in the final. Thailand creates a big success in this tournament by securing two spots in the finals. Gade failed to repeat his success in Singapore last year, in which he clinched the title.

Women's Singles
Xie Xingfang (CHN) beat Xui Huaiwen (CHN) 21-10, 21-4.
Zhang Ning (CHN) beat Eriko HIrose (JPN) 21-11, 21-12.

The first and second seeds are through to the final. More all-Chinese final.


Prediction (predicted winners in bold):

Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa (INA) vs Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam (THA). Limpele/Marissa will prevail.

Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun (CHN) vs Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (MAS). The Chinese pair should win.

Zhao Tingting/Yang Wei (CHN) vs Zhang Yawen/Wei Yili (CHN). Zhao/Yang should win since they get one-day break caused by the withdrawal of Gao/Zhang in the semifinals.

Chen Yu (CHN) vs Boonsak Ponsana (THA). The Chinese should prevail.

Xie Xingfang (CHN) vs Zhang Ning (CHN). Xie will take it!


Next Stop:
Djarum Indonesia Open Super Series 2007.


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Mixed Doubles
Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir (INA) vs Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa (INA)
Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen (CHN) vs Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam (THA)

Women's Doubles
Zhao Tingting/Yang Wei (CHN) vs Gao Ling/Zhang Jiewen (CHN)
Zhang Yawen/Wei Yili (CHN) vs Lee Hyo Jung/Lee Kyung Won (KOR)

Women's Singles
Xie Xingfang (CHN) vs Xu Huaiwen (GER)
Zhang Ning (CHN) vs Eriko Hirose (JPN)

Men's Singles
Peter Gade (DEN) vs Chen Yu (CHN)
Ronald Susilo (SIN) vs Boonsak Ponsana (CHN)

Men's Doubles
Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan (INA) vs Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (MAS)
Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun (CHN) vs Tony Gunawan/Candra Wijaya (USA/INA)


Prediction (predicted winners in bold)

Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir vs Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa. It's hard to predict which pair will qualify to the finals. My feeling says it's Nova/Lilyana, I think they're on a good mood to win their first title this year. Especially after they outclassed Zheng Bo/Gao Ling (CHN) in the quarterfinals.

Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan (INA) vs Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah (MAS). Youth vs Xperience. I expect the youth will prevail.

Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen (CHN) vs Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam (THA). Xie/Zhang will prevail but there's still a chance for an upset.

Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun (CHN) vs Tony Gunawan/Candra Wijaya (USA/INA). It's difficult to predict but I think the Chinese pair will through to the finals.

Peter Gade (DEN) vs Chen Yu (CHN). The Dane to win. Gade faced a fierce fight in the quarterfinals against his countryman, Kenneth Jonassen. The winning gives him a boost to repeat his success last year in Singapore.

Ronald Susilo (SIN) vs Boonsak Ponsana (THA). These two players really give us a surprise. Nobody expected (well, at least I did not) they would go this far. Susilo beat Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the second round, and Ponsana upset the first seed, Lin Dan (CHN), in the quarterfinals. The Singaporean will prevail.

Xie Xingfang (CHN) vs Xu Huaiwen (GER). Xie will prevail.

Zhang Ning (CHN) vs Eriko Hirose (JPN). Great achievment by the cute Japanese, but I think her journey ends here. Zhang is too strong for Hirose.

As usual, China vs Korea affair in the women's doubles. It's easy to predict, China will clinch the title.


Indonesia ensured one spot in the final of mixed doubles event, and still keeps its hope alive in the men's doubles semifinals through Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan.

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Indonesia Open 2007 (May 8 - May 13, 2007)

Men's Singles:
Lin Dan (CHN), the first seed, will play John Moody (NZL) in the first round, and is expected to play the fifth seed, Lee Chong Wei (MAS), in the quarterfinals. The other Chinese player who seeded second, Bao Chunlai, also has a managable first round match against Yeoh Kay Bin (MAS). Bao's first tough match could be in the quarterfinals, where he probably will play Peter Gade (DEN).
Three Indonesian shuttlers in the main draw have tough draws. Taufik Hidayat (INA)  will play the third seed, Chen Jin (CHN), in the first round. Sony Dwi Kuncoro (INA) will face the sixth seed, Chen Yu (CHN), and Simon Santoso (INA) will play Muhammad Hafiz Hashim (MAS).

Women's Singles:
As usual, women's singles event is dominated by Chinese players. Four Chinese shuttlers are placed as the top four seeds. Xie Xingfang (1st seed) will play Wong Mew Choo (MAS) in the first round, Zhang Ning (2nd seed) will take on Yu Hirayama (JPN), Zhu Lin (3rd seed) will play a qualifier (could be Indonesia's Adrianti Firdasari), Lu Lan (4th seed) will play Huang Chia Chi (AUS). The only Indonesian player who directly places a spot in the main draw, Maria Kristin Yulianti, will play Susan Hughes (SCO) in the first round, with a possible encounter against Lu Lan in the second round. 

Men's Doubles:
Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun (CHN), the first seeds, have a winable first round match against Simon Mollyhus/Anders Kristiansen (DEN). The second seeds, Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen (DEN), will play Kristof Hopp/Inge Kindervater (GER) in the first round. The Danes have a relatively friendly draw, but the trouble could be in the quarterfinals where they will probably face Jung Jae Sung/Lee Jae Jin (KOR).
Luluk Hadiyanto/Alvent Yulianto (INA) have a winable first match against Matthew Hughes/Martyn Lewis (WAL). If Luluk/Alvent could make it to the second round, they will probably have to face the winners of Asian Badminton Championships, Lee Wan Wah/Choong Tan Fook (MAS). Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan (INA) will play Hendri Kurniawan Saputra/Hendra Wijaya (SIN) in the first round. Hendra A Gunawan/Joko Riyadi (INA) will play a qualifier pair in the first round, and Rian Sukmawan/Eng Hian (INA) will play Albertus Njoto Susanto/Yohan Hadikusumo Wiratama (HKG).

Mixed Doubles:
Indonesia's strongest pair, Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir (1st seeds), will play their fellow Indonesians, Muhammad Rizal/Gresyia Polii, in the first round. Too bad for Indonesia because their players must meet in such early round. The second seeds, Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen (CHN), will play a Polish pair, Robert Mateusiak/Nadiezda Kostiuczyk, in the first round. Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa (INA) have a tricky first round match against Lee Jae Jin/Lee Hyo Jung (KOR). Another Indonesian pair, Lingga Lie/Nitya Krishinda Maheswari, will take on a Singaporean pair, Hendra Wijaya/Jiang Yanmei, in the first round.


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Men's Singles
Taufik Hidayat (INA) will face a qualifier in the first round, and is set to meet Denmark's Peter Gade in the second round. Simon Santoso (INA) will play John Moody (NZL) in the first round, and is expected to meet the world's number 1, Lin Dan (CHN), in the next round. Another Indonesian player in the main draw, Sony Dwi Kuncoro, has a tricky first task. Sony will play last week's Asian Badminton Champs finalist, Chen Hong of China.

Three Indonesian youngsters have to crawl from the qualifying round. Tommy Sugiarto will play Singapore's Wei Kiat Aaron Tan in the first round, and Alamsyah will take on an ex-Pelatnas (Indonesian Badminton National camp) shuttler who now plays under Singapore's flag, Markus Wijanu. Andreas Adityawarman will begin its journey in the tournament by playing Germany's experienced player, Roman Spitko.

Women's Singles
Maria Kristin Yulianti is the only Indonesian player in the main draw. She will face Ella Karachkova (RUS) in the first round. Should she succeed, she will probably play Wang Chen (HKG) in the next round. China's strongest players, Xie Xinfang and Zhang Ning, will play Anu Nieminen (FIN) and Petya Nedeltcheva (BUL), respectively.

Three Indonesian girls have to sweat from the qualifying round. Pia Zebadiah Bernadet who gets a bye in the first round will face a tough opponent in the second round. Pia has to play Anna Rice (CAN) to ensure one ticket in the final. Fransiska Ratnasari will play Fu Mingtian (SIN) in the first round. Adrianti Firdasari gets a bye in the first round and in the next round will play the winner of Emelie Lennartsson vs Sophia Hansson, both from Sweden.

Men's Doubles
Luluk Hadiaynto/Alvent Yulianto (INA) will face Jung Jae Sung/Lee Jae Jin (KOR) in the first round. Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (INA/USA) have a managable first task against Singapore's Hendri Kurniawan Saputra/Hendra Wijaya. Eng Hian/Rian Sukmawan (INA) who play for Djarum badminton club, will take on a qualifier in the first round, and are expected to meet Malaysia's strongest pair, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, in the next round. Indonesia's number 1 pair, Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan, will play a winable match against Ashley Brehaut/Aji Basuki Sindoro (AUS) in the first round, and expected to meet Koo/Tan (MAS) in the quarterfinals. Hendra A Gunawan/Joko Riyadi (INA) will face Matthew Hughes/Martyn Lewis (WAL) in the first round. Should they succeed, they will face the second seeds, Jens Eriksen/Martin Lungaard Hanssen (DEN), in the second round.

In the qualifying round, Sigit Budiarto/Frans Kurniawan (INA), who play for Djarum club, will play Peng Soon Chan/Hoon Ping Chang (MAS) in the second round after get a bye in the first round.

Women's Doubles
Gresyia Polii/Vita Marissa (INA) have a managable first match against Anastasia Russkikh/Ekaterina Ananina (RUS), and are expected to meet Japan's Kumiko Ogura/Reiko Shiota in the second round. Endang Nursugianti/Rani Mundiasti (INA) will play Duang Anong Aroonkesorn/Kunchala Voravichitchaikul in their first match.

Mixed Doubles
Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir (INA), the first seeds, will play Viatalij Durkin/Valeri Sorokina (RUS) in the first round. Possible encounter against Lars Paaske/Mette Schjoldager (DEN) in the second round. Indonesian youngsters, Muhammad Rizal/Gresyia Polii, will take on Daniel A Shirley/Joanne Swee Ling Quay (NZL/MAS) in the first round, with a possible encounter against China's Zheng Bo/Gao Ling in the next round. This is the real test for the Indonesians. Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa (INA) will  face a qualifier in their first match.


Blogku.

The Final Results

Men's Singles
















Taufik Hidayat (INA) beat Chen Hong (CHN) 21-18, 21-19.
Indonesia's first title this year. Hidayat won its third Asian champion title. His IBF ranking is declining because he skipped too many major tournaments this year, such as Korea Open, German Open, All England, and German Open.

Women's Singles
Jiang Yanjiao (CHN) beat Lu Lan (CHN) 25-23,23-21.
No comment on this event, except, "China's domination!!" I kinda wonder what happened with Indonesian women's single players??

Men's Doubles
Lee Wan Wah/Choong Tan Fook (MAS) beat Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong (MAS) 21-14, 11-21, 21-12.
The host's only title.

Women's Doubles
Yang Wei/Zhao Tingting (CHN) beat Cheng Shu/Zhao Yunlei (CHN) 21-10,21-11.
Again, China's domination.

Mixed Doubles
He Hanbin/Yu Yang (CHN) beat Xu Chen/Zhao Tingting (CHN) 22-20,21-15.
More China's domination.


Next Stop in May:
Singapore Open 2007 Super Series
Indonesia Open 2007 Super Series

Photo: badmintoncentral.com


Blogku.

The Quarterfinals Results

Men's Singles
Taufik Hidayat (INA) beat Lee Chong Wei (MAS), 21-17, 21-17.
Chen Hong (CHN) beat Nakanishi Yousuke (JPN) 21-15, 12-21, 21-16.
Anup Sridhar (IND) beat Sato Shoji (JPN) 20-22, 21-16, 21-18.
Yeoh Kay Bin (MAS) beat Chan Yan Kit (HKG) 13-21, 21-9, 21-14.

Taufik has a big chance to win the title, but there is still Chen Hong on his way.

Women's Singles
Jiang Yanjiao (CHN) beat Li Li (SIN) 18-21, 21-17, 21-15.
Wong Mew Choo (MAS) beat Fujii Mizuki (JPN) 21-19, 21-12.
Lu Lan (CHN) beat Yip Pui Yin (HKG) 21-3, 21-17.
Wang Chen (HKG) beat Eriko Hirose (JPN) 21-13, 13-21, 21-12.

FYI, all Indonesian women's singles players were eliminated in the first round. Such a disgrace, considering Indonesia is one of badminton powerhouses.

Men's Doubles
Tsai Chia Hsin/Hu Chung Hsien (TPE) beat Masuda Keita-Ohtsuka Tadashi (JPN) 21-14, 21-10.
Lee Wan Wah/Chong Tan Fook (MAS) beat Lee Sheng Mu/Fang Chieh Min (TPE) 19-21,21-16,21-14.
Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong (MAS) beat Ong Soon Hock/Tan Bin Shen (MAS) 21-16,21-10.
A.Latif Mohd.Zakry/Mohd.Tazari (MAS) beat Njoto Albertus Susanto/Wiratama Yohan Hadikusu (HKG) 13-21,21-8,21-16.

Malaysian pairs dominate the semifinals by securing three spots. The absence of top pairs from China, Indonesia, and Korea really gives the host pairs a smooth ride to semifinals.

Women's Doubles
Yang Wei/Zhao Tingting (CHN) beat Ooi Sock Ai/Fong Chew Yen (MAS) 21-11, 21-10.
Ogura Kumiko/Shiota Reiko (JPN) beat Goh Liu Ying/Woon Khe Wei (MAS) 21-15, 21-9.
Aroonkesorn Duang-Anon/Voravichitchaikul Kuncha (THA) beat Ma Jin/Wang Xioli (CHN) 14-21, 21-17, 23-21.
Cheng Shu/Zhao Yunlei (CHN) beat Suetsuna Satoko/Maeda Miyuki (JPN) 21-19, 21-16.

Even without its best pairs, China is still the biggest candidate to win the title.

Mixed Doubles
Xu Chen/Zhao Tingting (CHN) beat Alroy Tanama Putra/Koon Wai Chee (HKG) 21-4,21-14.
Mohd Tazari Mohd Fairuzi/Wong Pei Tty (MAS) beat Tan Wee Kiong/Woon Khe Wei (MAS) 21-14,21-12.
He Hanbin/Yu Yang (CHN) beat Hoon Tien How/Ooi Sock Ai (MAS) 21-10, 18-21, 21-9.
Fitriawan Devin Lahard/Nurlita Lita (INA) beat Chen Hong Ling/Chou Chia Chi (TPE) 20-22, 21-13, 21-16.

Indonesia's only hope in the mixed doubles event, Devin Lahardi/Lita Nurlita, will play China's He Hanbin/Yu Yang in the semifinals tomorrow. A tough match for the Indonesians.



BLOGKU.

Lima dari lima belas pelaut dan marinir Inggris yang dibebaskan oleh pemerintahan Iran hari Kamis kemarin menggelar sebuah konferensi pers di barak yang terletak di sebelah selatan Inggris. Mereka mengaku bahwa mereka dipaksa untuk mengakui bahwa mereka telah melanggar batas wilayah perairan Iran.  Dengan kata lain pengakuan yang mereka lakukan di depan televisi adalah tidak benar. Mereka juga mengklaim bahwa selama proses interogasi mereka mengalami perlakuan yang tidak baik, seperti ditutup matanya dan diisolasi. Salah satu dari mereka bahkan mengaku jika mereka ditodong sebuah senjata dengan mata tertutup dan tangan terborgol.

Perdana menteri Inggris enggan memberikan komentar terhadap klaim tyang dibuat oleh kelima tentaranya itu. Akan tetapi anehnya, komentar justru datang dari gedung putih. Pemerintah Amerika Serikat mengatakan jika perlakuan tidak baik yang dialami kelimabelas tentara Inggris itu sangat mengecewakan. Dibawah ini adalah kutipan pernyataan juru bicara gedung putih.

"If what they described is accurate, then that would not seem to be appropriate behavior and action," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. He said it would be "unfortunate and extremely disappointing" if the sailors had been "treated inappropriately in any way."  (diambil dari yahoo news).

This is my point:
Talking about appropriate behavior and action, does anybody remember what members of American soldiers did with Iraqi detainees in Abu Ghuraib?? If what the five english soldiers claimed is right (which needs more proofs and evidences), what Iranian officials did is nothing compared to those American soldiers have done to detainees in Abu Ghuraib and Guantanamo.


Blogku.

Cerita dimulai dari gw yang sedang asik browsing internet di warnet. Tiba-tiba listrik mati tanpa permisi. BYEET!!!!! langsung terdengar bunyi, tuut...tuut...tuut... yang pastinya bukan bunyi nada sambung telepon, tapi bunyi yang berasal dari satu alat yang mensupply listrik cadangan buat komputer operator warnet. Langsung hati ini memaki-maki perusahaan listrik satu-satunya di Indonesia itu, PLN maksud gw. Terpaksa gw harus mengakhi petualangan gw di dunia maya. Keluar dari warnet, gw langsung ke parkiran. Sambil siap-siap mau cabut, tiba-tiba....ada cewe yang keluar dari kios pulsa di depan warnet. Ya Tuhan, bening banget. Mirip Mulan Kwok, Sumpah! he he... Cewe itu membuka payungnya, karena kebetulan udah mulai gerimis. Dia siap-siap mau cabut dari situ, lagi berdiri di pinggir jalan. Entah dia mau nyebrang atau nungguin siapa, gw gak tau. Tiba-tiba terdengar suara-suara "aneh" yang berasal dari tempat gak jauh dari tempat gw berdiri. Ternyata segerombolan cowo2 yang sedang nunggu listrik nyala di tempat penyewaan play station. ''Suit...Suit....'' "Cewe!", "Hoi!!'', "Ha..Ha...". Itu beberapa 'bunyi-bunyian' yang berasal dari cowo2 itu. Yang pasti bukan ditujukan ke gw (He he he),  tapi ke cewe yang berdiri di seberang jalan. Ada sekitar 30 detikan bunyi-bunyian itu terus terdengar sampai suatu ketika, dari seberang sana terdengar "RESE LOE!!! TAI!!!". Gw langsung terperanjat. What the?! Ternyata kata-kata 'indah' itu berasal dari cewe bening berpayung di seberang jalan. Gw bisa mastiin kata-kata 'indah' itu tertuju bukan buat gw (Thank God..). Tentu loe tau buat siapa. YUP!! Cowo2 itu langsung pada nunduk dan diam seribu bahasa. Gw ketawa terbahak-bahak dalam hati. "Rasain Loe!! Beraninya Rame-rame sih." Cewe bening itu langsung pergi meninggalkan gerombolan cowo2 itu dalam diam dan malu, sedangkan gw masih berusaha menahan ketawa gw dan mengingat-ingat wajah cewe itu Bening. Haha haha

Pelajaran 1: jangan pernah godain cewe bening yang lagi sendirian.
Pelajaran 2: kalo loe emang cowo, maju sendiri jangan rame-rame, apalagi dengan 'bunyi-bunyian' yang mengganggu itu. Haha haha.....
Pelajaran 3:camkan dan resapi baik-baik pelajaran 1 &2 di atas.


Blogku.

 
Indonesia is again going home empty-handed. As expected, Simon Santoso, Indonesia's sole survivor in the final of men's single event, could not do much against China's next best shuttler, Chen Jin. Simon went down 16-21, 10-21. The other Indonesia's hope in the mixed doubles event, Muhammad Rizal/Gresyia Polii, was defeated by South Korea's Lee Yong Dae/Lee Hyo Jung. The Indonesian pair actually did a quite good job. They grabbed the first game by 21-14, but unfortunately they lost the other two games 16-21, and 18-21. Rizal/Polii's smash win is 18 against Korea's 15. However the Korean pair's net win is 26 against 24 for the Indonesians. The match lasted for about 55 minutes, and was the longest match in the finals.







Malaysia's rising stars, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, clinched their second title in a row in two weeks. They beat Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen of Denmark. The Danes secured the first game by 17-21, and lost the remaining two by 21-16, 21-12. FYI, the Malaysians have beaten world's best pairs, from Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng (CHN), Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan (INA), to Tony Gunawan/Candra Wijaya (USA/INA). Zhang Ning (CHN) took the title of the women's singles. Zhang beat her younger compatriot, Lu Lan, 21-16, 21-18. Despite of its best pairs' absence, China was still dominating the women's doubles event. Yang Wei/Zhao Tingting beat South Korea's Lee Hyo Jung/Lee Kyung Won quite easily, 21-15, 21-10.


Upcoming Event:
Asian Continental Championships (April 10-15, 2007).

Photo: swissopen.com

Blogku.

Simon Santoso ensured one spot in the final after Lin Dan (CHN) withdrew from the semifinals because of injury. The game ended with Simon took the first game, 27-25, 5-0 (retired). Simon will play Chen Jin (CHN) who defeated Peter Gade (DEN) 21-16, 21-19. Indonesia is represented by its young pair,
Muhammad Rizal/Gresyia Polii, in the mixed doubles final. Rizal/Gresyia beat Hendra Wijaya/Jiang Yanmei (SIN) in a straight game, 21-12, 21-12, in the semifinals. The Indonesian youngsters will face South Korea's Lee Yong Dae/Lee Hyo Jung in the final. However, Indonesia's other three representatives in the semifinals lost. 




In the men's doubles event, Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (INA/USA) were shown the exit by Malaysia's rising stars, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong. Eng Hian/Rian Sukmawan, who play under Djarum club, were eliminated by Denmark's veterans, Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen. In the women's doubles event, Vita Marissa/Gresyia Polii lost to Lee Hyo Jung/Lee Kyung Won (KOR).

The Final Line-ups

Simon Santoso (INA) vs Chen Jin (CHN). The Chinese will prevail. A good achievement by Simon, though. Considering he has to crawl from the qualifying round!!!

Zhang Ning (CHN) vs Lu Lan (CHN). The older chinese will take the title. Another all Chinese final in the women's singles event!!!

Muhammad Rizal/Gresyia Polii (INA) vs Lee Yong Dae/Lee Hyo Jung (KOR). The first final for the young Indonesians. Great improvement, but my feeling says the Korean pair will win. I'm kinda wondering, why Korean doubles don't have any permanent pairs? Hyo Jung formerly was paired with Lee Jae Jin, and Lee Yong Dae with Hwang Yu Mi, and sumtimes with Ha Ji Eun or Kim Min Jung (????). The thing is they often make upsets by beating China's top pairs. Should Indonesia do the same thing??

Yang Wei/Zhao Tingting (CHN) vs Lee Hyo Jung/Lee Kyung Won (KOR). The Chinese pair should win.

Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong (MAS) vs  Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen (DEN). The Malaysians will clinch their second title in a row in two weeks!!



Blogku.

Sony Dwi Kuncoro (INA) was shown the exit by the world's first shuttler from China, Lin Dan, in the quarterfinals. Sony lost 21-15, 21-14, after playing for about 32 minutes. Both players have met for 6 times, and the Chinese holds the lead by 5 victories over Sony. Bad record for Sony. Indonesia still have one hope in the men's singles as Simon Santoso through to semifinals after beating the 5/8 seed, Chen Yu of China, 21-10, 21-12. Simon will play Lin Dan in the semifinals, and according to IBF head to head records, the winning ratio is 0:2 for the Chinese. A tough match for Simon. Sony has eliminated Bao Chunlai in the second round, and Simon just beat Chen Yu in the quarterfinals, just two more Chinese shuttlers to go, Lin Dan and Chen Jin. China is so dominating in the men's singles lately. Hope no more all Chinese final.

Indonesia's mixed doubles pair, Muhammad Rizal/Gresyia Polii, through to the semifinals after eliminating South Korea's Han Sang Hoon/Hwang Yu Mi, 21-13, 21-13. Seems like 13 is not a lucky number for the Koreans. The Indonesian youngsters will play their neighbours, Hendra Wijaya/Jiang Yanmei of Singapore, in the semifinals.

In the men's doubles event, Indonesia/USA pair, Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan, advanced to the semifinals after beating their fellow Indonesians, Hendra A Gunawan/Joko Riyadi, 21-19, 21-8. Candra/Tony will face Malaysia's rising stars, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong. Eng Hian/Rian Sukmawan (INA) also through to the semifinals. The Djarum club pair will play Denmark's Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen.

Indonesia still keep its hope alive in the women's doubles as Vita Marissa/Gresyia Polii beat Germany's Nicole Grether/Juliane Schenk in the quarterfinals. Vita/Gresyia ensured one spot in the semifinals and will be playing South Korea's Lee Kyung Won/Lee Hyo Jung.

China is still dominating in the women's singles event, three Chinese shuttlers and one German will be fighting againts each other for two tickets in the final. Will it be another all Chinese final? 


Prediction

Lin Dan (CHN) vs Simon Santoso (INA). Not to underestimate Simon, but I think the Chinese will prevail.

Muhammad Rizal/Gresyia Polii (INA) vs Hendra Wijaya/Jiang Yanmei. The Indonesian youngsters will win, but the score will be very close.

Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (INA/USA) vs Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong (MAS). Experience vs youth. I will pick the Malaysians. They've been so impressive, beating the first seed, Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng, in a row. FYI, the Chinese pair holds the record of the fastest smash in the world.

Eng Hian/Rian Sukmawan (INA) vs Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen (DEN). The Danes will prevail.

Vita Marissa/Gresyia Polii (INA) vs Lee Kyung Won/Lee Hyo Jung (KOR). A tough match for the Indonesians but I'm pretty sure they will prevail.


Blogku.

Lagu-lagu Melly Goeslow yang diputer operator warnet terdengar sangat indah di telinga. Bukan cuma karena lagunya tapi juga karena Sony Dwi Kuncoro berhasil mengalahkan nemesis nya dari China, Bao Chunlai, di babak kedua Swiss Open 2007. Informasi buat yang belum tahu, kalo Sony gak pernah menang lawan pemain ini dari sejak mereka masih sebagai pemain junior. 

Yang lebih bikin gw bangga (well, who's not?), Sony totally destroyed Bao in the first game. He only gave the Chinese player 5 points (Haaa??!!!). Sony took the first game by 21-5. In the second game, when leading 16-8, sony was like frozen and giving Bao more points until it was 19-19. Sony took the other two points, and Bao went down 21-19. Listen, won over the world's fifth was like so amazing, especially when you're an underdog.  A sweet revenge for Sony. Yeah!!!! Can Sony be another Chinese shuttlers killer? Jaman sekarang susah nyari pemain Indonesia yang bisa ngalahin pemain-pemain China, cuma Taufik dan sekarang (mudah-mudahan seterusnya) Sony.

Tapi di turnamen yang berhadiah total $200,000 ini, perjalanan masih panjang buat Sony. He will play the world's first shuttler, Lin Dan of China in the quarterfinals tomorrow. Will Sony be able to make another upset by beating Lin? We'll see.

Bad news from the women's doubles event. Indonesia's Endang Nursugianti/Rani Mundiasti lost to Singapore's Jiang Yanmei/Li Yujia, 21-15, 21-14. 

Indonesia's mixed doubles pair, Muhammad Rizal/Gresyia Polii, advanced to the quarterfinals. The Indonesian youngsters beat Germany's Kristof Hopp/Bergit Overzier, 21-11, 21-13, and will play South Korea's Han Sang Hoon/Hwang Yu Mi, tomorrow. Vita Marissa/Greysia Polii (INA) beat Gail Emms/Donna Kellogg (ENG), 21-15, 21-15, and will play the winner between Sweden's Elin Bergblom/Johanna Persson vs Germany's Nicole Grether/Julianne Schenk, in tomorrow's quarterfinals.

These are matches involving Indonesian players tonight (but havent been played yet.)

Simon Santoso (INA) vs Ronald Susilo (SIN).
Hendra A Gunawan/Joko Riyadi (INA) vs Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae (KOR).
Eng Hian/Rian Sukmawan (Djarum club, INA) vs Vitalij Durkin/Alexander Nikolaenko (RUS).
Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (INA/USA) vs Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen (DEN).


Blogku.

 
Here are the matches involving Indonesian shuttlers:

Men's Singles
Sony Dwi Kuncoro (INA) will play Park Sung Hwan (KOR). A tough match for Sony, but he will prevail to meet Bao Chunlai in the second round. Hopefully my prediction is right.

Simon Santoso (INA) will face Malaysian veteran, Wong Choong Han. Simon beat the Malaysian in the qualifying round of AE last week. I'm pretty sure he will do it again this time.


Women's Singles
No Indonesian players in the main draw. Indonesia's only hope, Adrianti Firdasari, again failed to go further than qualifying round finals. She was beaten by Thailand's Salakjit Ponsana. FYI, last week in the AE 2007, Firda was beaten by another Thai player, Soratja Chansrisukot, in exactly the same round. ALERT for Indonesia!!!


Women's Doubles
Endang Nursugianti/Rani Mundiasti (INA) will face India's Shrutti S Kurian/Jwalla P Gutta. If they can handle the Indian pair, They will probably face Singapore's Jiang Yanmei/Li Yujia in the second round.

Vita Marissa/Gresyia Polii (INA) vs Chew Yen Fong/Phui Leng See (MAS). Shouldn't be a problem for Vita/Gresyia. If they through, England's Gail Emms/Donna Kellogg will be waiting for them in the second round. It will be a repeat of the AE 2007 second round match. Vita/Gresyia won over the English pair, last week.


Men's Doubles
Hendra A Gunawan/Joko Riyadi (INA) will take on Nuttaphon Narkthong/Pattaphol Ngensrisuk (THA) in the first round. The Indonesians should through (too bad if they don't) to meet Korean pair, Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong dae, in the second round. This is the real test for the Indonesian pair.

Rian Sukmawan/Eng Hian (INA) will face Malaysian veterans, Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah. A difficult task for the Djarum club pair.

Tony Gunawan/Candra Wijaya (USA/INA) vs Tadashi Ohtsuka/Keita Matsuda (JPN). Tony/Candra will prevail and meet the winner of Gan Teik Chai/Mohd Zakri Abd Latif (MAS) vs Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen (DEN), in the next round.

Mixed Doubles
Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir (INA) withdrew because of Lilyana's right ankle injury, leaving Indonesia with only one pair. Muhammad Rizal/Gresyia Polii (INA) will play Mikhael Logosz/Natalie Munt (POL/ENG). A tough first task for the young Indonesians. Rizal/Gresyia has showed improvement, they stretched Zhang Jun/Zhao Tingting to the third game in the first round of the AE 2007, although they lost to the experienced Chinese pair.


Blogku.