The Straits Times Interactive
Sorry, I let you all down again
Another Susilo apology after losing to Chen in repeat of last year's final
By Peh Shing Huei
SORRY, I let everyone down once more. Again, Singapore's top badminton player Ronald Susilo was ripped apart by world No 1 and defending champion Chen Hong at the Yonex-Sunrise Singapore Open, and once again, he apologised.
The sixth seed was dismantled 9-15, 1-15 by the Chinese top seed in the quarter-finals last night, in a repeat of the humiliating 4-15, 1-15 thrashing he received from Chen in last year's final.
He apologised profusely after last year's 28-minute collapse. He did slightly better this time - 45 minutes.
But the same words came out of the affable 24-year-old Singaporean: 'The fans' support was really fantastic. But I'm sorry I let them down again.'
For 30 minutes last night, as he traded punches with Chen in the first game, it seemed like he could script a different post-match speech for the 6,000-strong crowd.
He started confidently and traded smashes with a lightning-fast Chen. While the Chinese player's sharp killers gave him a 3-0 lead, Susilo's flat smashes straight to Chen's body allowed him to close the gap to 2-3.
Susilo continued to take the game to Chen and led for the first time at 6-5 when Chen's smash went narrowly wide.
The crowd, who included Environment Minister Lim Swee Say and Defence Minister Rear-Admiral (NS) Teo Chee Hean, went wild.
But a series of unforced errors from Susilo allowed Chen to draw level and then lead 12-8.
Then, the match seemingly turned in the Singaporean's favour. After a long rally, a well-disguised push had Chen floored, and his feeble half-court return was swiftly and stylishly met by Susilo's stinging, leaping smash.
Chen refused to get up. The 24-year-old Chinese stayed down for another 10 seconds as he looked forlornly at the dead shuttle.
Sensing a possible break, the crowd were ecstatic.
But that was the last time Chen was down.
They exchanged service six times at 12-9, with Susilo unable to do much about Chen's quick smashes to his backhand.
Chen broke the deadlock and sealed the game after punishing Susilo for a couple of half-hearted pushes.
And that was the end of Susilo's resistance.
It was deja vu as Chen lost service only four times and overwhelmed Susilo 15-1 in the second game.
Said Chen: 'I always felt in control. He got more points this time right?'
International Badminton Federation vice-president Datuk Punch Gunalan agreed that Chen mastered Susilo's game in the second game.
He said: 'Chen knew what Susilo was doing. Susilo does not have enough variety and depth in his game. But I can see that he tried very hard.'
But not enough to trouble Chen. As he himself admitted: 'I tried but was outclassed in the second game. Sorry.'
Sorry, I let you all down again
Another Susilo apology after losing to Chen in repeat of last year's final
By Peh Shing Huei
SORRY, I let everyone down once more. Again, Singapore's top badminton player Ronald Susilo was ripped apart by world No 1 and defending champion Chen Hong at the Yonex-Sunrise Singapore Open, and once again, he apologised.
The sixth seed was dismantled 9-15, 1-15 by the Chinese top seed in the quarter-finals last night, in a repeat of the humiliating 4-15, 1-15 thrashing he received from Chen in last year's final.
He apologised profusely after last year's 28-minute collapse. He did slightly better this time - 45 minutes.
But the same words came out of the affable 24-year-old Singaporean: 'The fans' support was really fantastic. But I'm sorry I let them down again.'
For 30 minutes last night, as he traded punches with Chen in the first game, it seemed like he could script a different post-match speech for the 6,000-strong crowd.
He started confidently and traded smashes with a lightning-fast Chen. While the Chinese player's sharp killers gave him a 3-0 lead, Susilo's flat smashes straight to Chen's body allowed him to close the gap to 2-3.
Susilo continued to take the game to Chen and led for the first time at 6-5 when Chen's smash went narrowly wide.
The crowd, who included Environment Minister Lim Swee Say and Defence Minister Rear-Admiral (NS) Teo Chee Hean, went wild.
But a series of unforced errors from Susilo allowed Chen to draw level and then lead 12-8.
Then, the match seemingly turned in the Singaporean's favour. After a long rally, a well-disguised push had Chen floored, and his feeble half-court return was swiftly and stylishly met by Susilo's stinging, leaping smash.
Chen refused to get up. The 24-year-old Chinese stayed down for another 10 seconds as he looked forlornly at the dead shuttle.
Sensing a possible break, the crowd were ecstatic.
But that was the last time Chen was down.
They exchanged service six times at 12-9, with Susilo unable to do much about Chen's quick smashes to his backhand.
Chen broke the deadlock and sealed the game after punishing Susilo for a couple of half-hearted pushes.
And that was the end of Susilo's resistance.
It was deja vu as Chen lost service only four times and overwhelmed Susilo 15-1 in the second game.
Said Chen: 'I always felt in control. He got more points this time right?'
International Badminton Federation vice-president Datuk Punch Gunalan agreed that Chen mastered Susilo's game in the second game.
He said: 'Chen knew what Susilo was doing. Susilo does not have enough variety and depth in his game. But I can see that he tried very hard.'
But not enough to trouble Chen. As he himself admitted: 'I tried but was outclassed in the second game. Sorry.'
Like... chen owns him.
