INDONESIA GPG 2011 SF – A symbolic end of reign?

Tommy Sugiarto beat Taufik Hidayat, for a rare win by an Indonesian over the man who has been the best Indonesian shuttler for a decade. Tommy will try to avenge his last defeat to Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka in Sunday’s final, while Malaysia’s Hoo and Woon will dream of a first ever major title.

By Raphael Sachetat, Photos: Ira Ratnati for Badzine (live from Samarinda)

“Beating Taufik Hidayat has always been of my dreams, but I never expected that I would win in straight games like this!” said Tommy Sugiarto (photo).

The 23-year-old is one of the few Indonesians who has beaten Taufik Hidayat – moreover on home soil, where the former Olympic champion is almost unbeatable. Or was. On Saturday, Taufik was not the same one who had clinched so many Indonesia Open titles. In two games, he was sent packing 21-10, 21-15 .

“I lost the match.  That’s all.  It is time for the young to shine,” said Taufik after his defeat.

Though not a repeat of last year’s final, where Taufik beat Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka, Sunday’s final will replay Tommy’s loss to the eventual runner-up at last fall’s event.

“For the final I want to get revenge on Hayom.  Last year, I was defeated here by him during the quarter-finals,” added Sugiarto to the local press. Rumbaka, for his part, beat Alamsyah Yunus in a thrilling three-game match 24-22, 20-22, 21-13.

Hoo – Woon for a first

Vivian Hoo and Woon Khe Wei (photo) kept Malaysia’s flag flying when they scooped their spot for the final of the event. After an amazing victory over China’s Cheng/Pan, the young Malaysians beat Thailand’s Ekmongkolpaisarn and Munkitchokecharoen quite easily, 21-12, 21-13. The duo will now take on China’s Bao and Zhong. The latter had beaten Woon on her way to the World Junior Champion in 2007 but it’s an old story and since then – last week – the Chinese have scored a gold medal in a Super Series, while Hoo and Woon have yet to prove themselves capable to top a senior podium.

Pi Hongyan and Chen Xiaojia will fight for the crown in the women’s singles. Once again, the French shuttler had to dig deep to claim her spot in the final as the youngster Belaetrix Manuputi fought her heart out before bowing 21-14, 17-21, 19-21. Chen had a lot less time to spend on court when she beat Japan’s Ai Goto 21-11, 21-13.

The mixed doubles will be an all Chinese affair with He/Bao taking on Xu/Ma, while Ahsan and Septano will appear in a final for a second consecutive week.  They face Japanese Samurais Endo/Hakayaka (photo) in the final of the men’s doubles.

All results HERE