ARDY REPORTEDLY DEFEATED IN THAI OPEN SIXTEENS
by Mike Grossman (from a report filed by YANG YANG Badminton Equipment)

November 13, 1996 (New Shuttlenws) - In UNCONFIRMED early results from the badminton Thailand Open, the comebacking Ardy Wiranata of Indonesia is reported to have been defeated in the men's singles round of 16 by Soren Nielsen of Denmark, 15-8 and 15-4.

Wiranata, a champion of many major internationals and an Olympic silver medalist in 1992, was stricken earlier this year by hepatitis A and is trying to make a comeback from what was described as a career-ending disease. The Thailand Open was Ardy's first competition since being infected by the liver ailment.

Wiranata, seeded 5-8 at this tourney, opened against a qualifier, Gritachai Narong of Thailand. The effects of the disease and the forced layoff was quickly evident as Wiranata was hard-pressed to defeat the qualifier. Wiranata dropped the first game to Narong 11-15 before pulling off the victory with 15-3 and 15-6 scores in the next two games.

Top-seeds Joko Suprianto of Indonesia and Dong Jiong of China have made their way to the quarterfinals. Suprianto beat the 9-16 seed from India, Deepankar Bhattacharya, 15-4 and 18-15 in his round-of-16 match, while Dong beat Nunung Subandoro of Indonesia 15-12 and 15-10.

Suprianto plays 5-8 seed Kim Hak Kyun of Korea in his quarterfinal. The second-seeded Dong faces 5-8 seed Alan Budi Kusuma (Indonesia).

In other men's singles quarterfinal matchups, 3-4 seed Rashid Sidek of Malaysia plays 5-8 seed Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen of Denmark while Soren Nielsen could be playing 3-4 seed Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia (if he is competing).

Sidek had a tough time against Rosobin Jeffer of Indonesia in his eighth-final match. Sidek easily took the first game 15-4 but the young Indonesian battled a tiring Sidek point for point in the second. Sidek lost the second 16-17.

The third was more of the same. The two battled to a 14-all tie with Jeffer reportedly having match points against Sidek. In the setting or overtime, Sidek prevailed over the Indonesian youngster to win at 17-14.

Stuer had an easier round-of-16 match. He beat Irwansyah of Indonesia 15-3 and 15-11.

In women's singles, the two topseeds have made it to the quarterfinals. Susi Susanti of Indonesia will play Zeng Yaqiong of China, while compatriot Mia Audina battle Ra Kyung Min of Korea.

Susi seems to be in form after a long layoff and a flirtation with women's doubles at the China and Hong Kong Opens. In her round of 16 match, she demolished Lee Joo Hyun of Korea, 11-0 and 11-6.