Indonesian shuttlers stormed into the semifinals of the US$120,000 Philippines Open on Friday in Manila.
In the mixed doubles, world No. 2 Nova Widianto and Liliana Natsir, who have had some poor showings in recent tournaments, were too powerful for fellow Indonesians Devin Lahardi Fitriawan and Lita Nurlita, winning 21-17, 21-17.
The top seeds, who are desperate to end a title drought that dates back to the 2006 Korean Open last August, will take on Thailand's Kunchala Voravichitchaikul and Songphon Anugritayawon in the semis. The Thais saw off Russians Valeri Sorokina and Vitalij Durkin 21-23, 21-11, 21-17.
Another Indonesian mixed doubles pair, Flandy Limpele and Vita Marissa, reached the semis after a tough match against Wen Hsing Cheng and Chieh Min Fang of Chinese-Taipei. The Indonesians eventually triumphed 21-14, 15-21, 21-14 in 40 minutes.
The world No. 8 pair, coming off a title at the Singapore Open, will next face Yu Mi Hwang and San Hoon Hang of South Korea, who eliminated another Chinese-Taipei pair, Yu Chin Chien and Yu Hsin Hsieh, 21-14, 15-21, 21-14.
Indonesian women's singles Adriyanti Firdasari was impressive in reaching her first semifinal, thrashing Wang Yihan of China 21-14, 21-16.
Firdasari will now have to get by Zhu Jingjing of China for a spot in the final. Zhu romped to an easy 21-10, 21-13 win over Anna Rice of Canada.
Indonesia's men's singles Sony Dwi Kuncoro defeated Ronald Susilo of Singapore 21-14, 21-13. He will face Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia in the semis.
The Malaysian advanced with a 23-21, 21-11 win over Gong Weijie of China 23-21, 21-11. -- JP
