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| May 15, 2005 | Sunday | Rabi-us-Sani 6, 1426 |
Indonesia beat Denmark to reach final
BEIJING, May 14: Indonesia powered their way into the Sudirman Cup final with a 3-0 win over Denmark on Saturday. The Indonesians on Sunday will face the winner of the later semifinal between favourites China and holders South Korea.
Indonesia took the upper hand from the start with Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir’s crushing 15-4 15-7 win over Jens Eriksen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl in the mixed doubles.
“We didn’t expect to win 3-0. The mixed doubles was the key. If we won that, it would be easier in the next game,” Indonesian coach Hendrawan said.
Hopes faded for Denmark when world number three Peter Gade lost in straight games to Olympic champion Taufiq Hidayat.
Hidayat won the first game 15-10 on a questionable line call but dispelled all doubts in the second with a dominating 15-3 performance.
The relatively inexperienced Camilla Sorenson, brought in to replace injured Tine Rasmussen, tried to spark a Danish rally, taking her first game against Fransisca Hari 11-3.
But Hari was able to turn things around and sent Indonesia through to an all-Asian final with a 2-1 victory.
China will try to avenge their loss of the 2003 cup to South Korea in the second semifinal.
The hosts have proven untouchable so far and are strongly favoured to take their fifth title.
Results (semifinal) Sudirman Cup
Indonesia 3 Denmark 0
Mixed doubles: Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir (INA) bt Jens Eriksen/Kamilla Juhl (DEN) 15-4, 15-7
Men’s singles: Taufil Hidayat (INA) bt Peter Gade (DEN) 15-10, 15-3
Women’s singles: Fransisca Hari (INA) bt Camilla Sorensen (DEN) 3-11, 11-8, 11-2
Men’s doubles: Lars Paaske/Jonassen Rasmussen (DEN) Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto (INA) - dead rubber
Women’s doubles: Helle Nielsen/ Kamilla Juhl (DEN) Greysa Polii/Greysa Polii (INA) - dead rubber
Second semifinal: China v South Korea (1100 GMT).—Agencies
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