SWEDISH OPEN FINALS: ARDY TAKES BIG STEP FORWARD
by Mike Grossman

** This New SHUTTLENWS report is sponsored by YANG YANG BADMINTON SHUTTLES and their USA agents, CHIN SPORTS (212-645-4142 or chinsports@aol.com). **

March 9, 1997 (NEW SHUTTLENWS) - Indonesian badminton star Ardy Wiranata took a big step forward in his recuperation from a crippling bout with a liver infection by winning the men'singles title at the Swedish Open in Borlange this afternoon.

Ardy, the Olympic silver medalist in 1992 and winner of many international tournaments in recent years, defeated younger teammate Budi Santoso in today's final match 15-10 and 15-10.

Wiranata must continue to do well in the next two tournaments, the All-England and the Swiss Opens, as he tries to complete a comeback attempt and qualify for the world championships in May. However, his task may prove difficult because he has drawn China's Dong Jiong as his first round opponent in next week's All-England Open.

In women's doubles, Julie Bradbury of England, also on a comeback attempt after a pregnancy and a subsequent tragic miscarriage, took her junior partner, Donna Kellogg, to the brink of a Grand Prix title, but her experience and skill was not enough to overcome Qian Hong and Liu Lu of China. Qian and Liu though had a battle on their hands.

The Chinese pair won the first 15-11, but were stretched to the limit and then beaten in the second 17-18. Qian and Lu prevailed in the decider 15-11 to take the Swedish Open crown.

The final finish bodes well for the comebacking Bradbury and new partner Kellogg, although they may not be able to repeat this week's success at the All-England because they have drawn the Olympic champions and top-seeds Ge Fei and Gu Jun of China in the first round.

In the women's singles final, top-seeded Gong Zhichao of China disposed of Korea's Ra Kyung Min with ease 11-4 and 11-4.

In the men's doubles title match, top-seeds Ha Tae Kwon and Kang Kyung Jin of Korea beat second-seeds Peter Axelsson and Par-Gunnar Jonsson of Sweden 15-3 and 15-11.

Michael Keck of Germany and Erica van den Heuvel of the Netherlands defeated Jon Holst-Christensen of Denmark and Karen Stechmann of Germany 15-17, 15-12 and 15-12 to claim the mixed doubles title.