ALL-ENGLAND OPEN: AUDINA, SIDEK OUSTED

March 13, 1997 (NEW SHUTTLENWS) - Mia Audina of Indonesia, the current world number one women's singles player and the top-seed at the All-England Open badminton tournament now underway in Birmingham, was eliminated last night by China's Dai Yun in a third round match.

Audina and Dai split the first two games. Audina took the first 11-6, and Dai won the second 11-8. Audina came out in the third a trifle slower than usual, although she did keep pace with Dai until both had reached 5-5. Erratic play from the top-seed then sealed her fate as she did not score another point. Dai took the third 11-5.

Men's singles second seed Rashid Sidek of Malaysia also was eliminated in third round action as Heryanto Arbi of Indonesia extracted revenge for his loss to Sidek in the Olympic bronze medal match in Atlanta in August last year.

Sidek could not cope with the potent Arbi jumpsmash attack today and the Indonesian ace won in two games 15-7 and 15-8.

Sidek did start well in the second game, seizing an early 6-2 lead. He could not hold the advantage though and wilted under heavy attacking pressure from Arbi.