** This New Shuttlenws report is presented by K&D Graphics and the Orange County Badminton Club (Orange, California) **

U.S. NATIONALS: THE KEVIN-ATOR, BACH TO CLASH IN FINALS

April 5, 1998 (New Shuttlenws) - Defending national champion Kevin "The Kevin-ator" Han recovered in time from a disastrous start in the men's singles semifinals at the 1998 K&D Graphics U.S. National Badminton Championships to move ahead into today's championship match. Han was outplayed by Mark Manha in the opening game and lost 10-15. The tall lefthander then put on a display of the badminton skills that have gained him a top-25 world ranking and he mercilessly shut down Manha in the second game, winning at 15-0. Han continued to dominate in the decider and won with some ease, despite an 8-point effort from Manha.

Han will play the high-jumping Howard Bach for the U.S. men's singles title. Bach defeated Chibing Wu 17-15 and 15-11 in his semifinal match yesterday.

Cindy Shi and Yeping Tang, the top U.S. women's singles players, got set for another showdown today as they both easily won their semifinal matches. Shi, the 1997 champion, put out Becky Wu 11-2 and 11-3, while Tang eliminated Kathy Zimmerman 11-2 and 11-2.

Other semifinal results:
Men's Doubles
Howard Bach/Mark Manha beat Trisna Gunadi/Ben Wu 15-2, 18-13
Andy Chong/Ben Lee beat Kevin Han/Chibing Wu 15-3, 15-3
Women's Doubles
Cindy Shi/Yeping Tang beat Terry Lira/Eileen Tang 15-3, 15-4
Stephanie Westerman/Kathy Zimmerman beat Janis Tan/Becky Wu 15-9, 9-15, 15-2
Mixed Doubles
Andy Chong/Yeping Tang beat Trisna Gunadi/Eileen Tang 16-18,15-0, 15-6
Chibing Wu/Cindy Shi beat Ben Lee/Becky Wu 15-6, 7-15, 15-6

(montri/dsimmons)