** This NEW SHUTTLENWS report is presented by YANG YANG Badminton Products and their Western USA agents Badminton Alley. Keep NEW SHUTTLENWS going - BUY our sponsor's products. **

SINGAPORE KONICA OPEN: HENDRAWAN CONQUERS GADE

August 16, 1998 (NEW SHUTTLENWS) - Indonesia's rising star Hendrawan today conquered the world number one-ranked Peter Gade-Christensen of Denmark in suprisingly easy fashion to capture the 1998 Singapore Konica Open men's singles title. The Indonesian beat the top-rated Dane in two games 15-10 and 15-8.

Hendrawan seized the initiative right from the start of the first game. He used his very tight net shots to jump to an early lead that quickly ballooned to a commanding 8-1 advantage. Gade on his part seemed to be slower than he had been in his previous matches at this Singapore Open and was not able to cope with Hendrawan's finesse at the net and power from the backcourt. He tried to battle back and was able to cut into the Indonesian's lead but Hendrawan managed to hold on to his advantage and won 15-10.

The second followed a similiar pattern. Hendrawan again pulled away to an early 8-1 lead before Gade mounted a comeback. The Indonesian turned back Gade's efforts and he won the second 15-8.

In the women's singles final, world champion Ye Zhaoying of China defeated Susi Susanti of Indonesia 11-5, 6-11 and 11-2.

World men's doubles champions Chandra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto of Indonesia combined to beat Olympic gold medalists Ricky SUbagja and Rexy Mainaky with ease 15-5 and 15-5 in the men's doubles championship match.

World women's doubles champions Ge Fei and Gu Jun of China turned aside the challenge of teammates Qin Yiyuan and Tang Yongshu 15-8 and 15-13 to take the women's doubles title.

In the mixed doubles final played yesterday, Indonesia's Trikus Heryanto and Minarti Timur defeated top-seeds Michael Sogaard and Rikke Olsen 15-10 and 15-8.

(aplayer/dsimmons)