MALAYSIAN OPEN: LIU AND GE TRIUMPH; JOKO OUSTED

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July 12, 1997 (NEW SHUTTLENWS) - Mixed doubles world champions Liu Yong and Ge Fei of China confirmed their supremacy at today's finals of the Malaysian Open badminton championships at the Likas Indoor Stadium of the Sports Complex in Kota Kinabalu. In a rematch of the world championships finalsts,Liu and Ge repeated their victory over Jens Eriksen and Marlene Thomsen of Denmark 15-12 and 15-1.

Liu and Ge are undefeated in open competition ever since they started playing together early this year. The only blemish on the world champions' record is a loss in the world mixed team championships to Koreans Kim Dong Moon and Ra Kyung Min.

In men's singles semifinal action, 9-to-16 seed Hermawan Susanto of Indonesia upset the top-seeded Joko Suprianto, also of Indonesia, 15-1 and 15-2. The 31-year old Suprianto, who was severely tested by Luo Yigang of China last night in the quarterfinals, was practically immobile and was unable to match Susanto's mobility and shot placements.

A member of the Indonesian squad said after the match that Suprianto had been exhausted after his 3-game match with Luo and that the veteran had not had enough time to recover his energy even after a night's rest.

3-to-4 seed Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark won the other men's singles semifinal, beating 5-to-8 seed Budi Santoso of Denmark 15-10, 15-7.

In the women's singles semifinals, world champion and top-seed Ye Zhaoying of China easily handled her junior teammate Zhou Mi 11-3 and 11-5, while second-seed Susi Susanti of Indonesia had her hands full against the tall left-hander Dai Yun of China, a 3-to-4 seed.

It took Susanti, an Olympic gold medalist and a former world champion, three games before she could subdue Dai and claim her place in the finals against Ye. The scoreline: 11-7, 9-11 and 11-5.

In men's doubles, top-seeds Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia were in great form as they wiped out host Malaysia's last remaining entry, the 3-to-4 seeded pair of Lee Wan Wah and Choon Tan Fook. Ricky and Rexy beat the Malaysians 15-7 and 15-1.

Second-seeds Denny Kantono and Antonius Iriantho also won their semifinal match to assure Indonesia of at least one championship. Kantono and Antonius defeated the other 3-to-4 seeds, Yoo Yung Sung and Lee Dong Soo of Korea, 15-10 and 15-13.

In women's doubles, top-seeds Ge Fei and Gu Jun of China continued to show why they are world champions. Ge and Gu beat the defending Malaysian Open champions and 3-to-4 seeds Marlene Thomsen and Lisbet Stuer-Lauridsen of Denmark 15-12 and 15-2.

3-to-4 seeds Liu Lu and Qian Hong of China defeated teammates Huang Nanyan and Liu Zhong 18-15 and 15-8 in the other women's doubles semifinal.

(jpcfont/migrossman)