ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: SUN JUN GAINS FINALS; CHINA SURE OF THREE TITLES

** This NEW SHUTTLENWS REPORT is presented by badminton world champions YANG YANG (1987 and 1989) and ZHAO JIAN HUA (1991) and by YANG YANG BADMINTON PRODUCTS **

September 6, 1997 (NEW SHUTTLENWS) - China's Sun Jun played his way into the men's singles finals of the Asian badminton championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when he easily defeated Hermawan Susanto of Indonesia 15-4 and 15-8 in one of the semifinal matches held today at Stadium Negara. Sun, the winner of the World Cup tournament two weeks ago, is the top seed in the event, while Susanto was the third-seeded player.

In tomorrow's final, Sun will face Indonesia's Hendrawan who upset fellow Indonesian Ardy Wiranata, the second seed. Hendrawan outsteadied Wiranata in a closely fought first game 18-15 and then took the second 15-10.

In women's singles, Yu Hua of China continued her streak of upset victories. Yu, who has recently moved up from the junior ranks, beat the fifth-seeded Indonesian Lidya Djaelawidjaya 11-7, 2-11 and 11-8 to gain her first final in senior competition.

Yu had defeated top-seed Lee Joo Hyun of Korea and eighth-seed Huang Chia Chi of Taiwan earlier in the tournament.

In the other women's singles semifinal, second-seed Yao Yan of China disposed of her unseeded teammate Wu Huimin 11-7 and 11-5.

Chinese players won the women's and mixed doubles semifinal matches to set up two more all-China championship matches tomorrow.

Women's doubles top-seeds Liu Zhong and Huang Nanyan defeated Taiwan's Chen Li Chin and Tsai Hui Min 15-7 and 15-9, while second-seeds Liu Lu and Qian Hong took out Indonesians Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwankotta, the third seeds, 15-10 and 15-9.

Mixed doubles fourth-seeds Zhang Jun and Liu Lu toppled top-seeds Sandiarto and Finarsih of Indonesia 3-15, 15-2 and 4-15, while seventh-seeds Yang Ming and Qian Hong eliminated the second-seeded Indonesians Agung and Anastasia 15-10 and 15-11.

1996 Olympic men's doubles bronze medalists Antonius Budi Iriantho and Denny Kantono of Indonesia beat teammates Hermono and Hian Eng 15-12 and 15-10 in their semifinal match. With the victory, the top-seeded Indonesians moved a step closer to their first title this year.

In the other men's doubles semifinal, the second-seeded Malaysians Lee Wan Wah and Choong Tan Fook withstood several strong comeback attempts from compatriots Chew Chun Eng and Lee Chee Leong. Lee Wan Wah and Choong had commanding leads in both games but Chew and Lee Chee Leong managed to get back into contention. The second seeds held on for victory in both games 15-13 and 15-12.

Tomorrow's championship matches (unofficial order of play):
Mixed Doubles
Zhang Jun/Liu Lu (China) versus Yang Ming/Qian Hong (China)
Women's Singles
Yao Yan (China) versus Yu Hua (China)
Men's Singles
Sun Jun (China) versus Hendrawan (Indonesia)
Women's Doubles
Liu Zhong/Huang Nanyan (China) versus Liu Lu/Qian Hong (China)
Men's Doubles
Antonius Budi Iriantho/Denny Kantono (Indonesia) versus Lee Wan Wah/ Choong Tan Fook (Malaysia)

(jpcf/mig)