Tien-chen ends Anthony’s gallant run to prevent all-Indonesian final

TAIWAN’s Chou Tien-chen broke the home fans’ hearts when he stopped the gallant run of Anthony Ginting to deny an all-Indonesian men’s singles final at the Asian Games.

The 28-year-old Tien-chen came from behind to triumph 16-21, 23-21, 21-17 in an 82-minute pulsating semi-final to put himself on the brink of his biggest career win at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno yesterday.

The world No. 6 is Taiwan’s first shuttler to reach the men’s singles semi-finals in the Asiad but he has no plans to stop there and is all fired up to take down another home favourite Jonattan Christie today.

Kuala Lumpur SEA Games gold medallist Jonatan continued his dream run when he defeated Kenta Nishimoto of Japan 21-15, 15-21, 21-19 in the other last four clash.

Jonatan is bidding to join the illustrious list of former Indonesian Asiad winners - twotime champion Taufik Hidayat (2002 and 2006), Hariyanto Arbi (1994), Liem Swie King (1978), Ang Tjin Siang (1966) and Tan Joe Hok (1962).

After helping the home side to sillver in the men’s team eevent, both Jonatan and Anthony have been going great guns in the individual event.

Jonatan stunned top seed SShi Yuqi of China in the first rouround while Anthony was even more impressive by ousting two favourites – Japan’s reigning world champion Kento Momota in second round and China’s Chen Long in the quarter-finals.

Like Tien-chen, compatriot Tai Tzu-ying also prevented an all-Indian women’s singles final after she downed Saina Nehwal 21-17, 21-14 in the semi-final yesterday.

World No. 3 P.V. Sindhu kept the Indian flag flying when she upset Japan’s world No. 2 Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 15-21, 21-10 for the third time this month.

Indonesia is assured of gold in the men’s doubles after Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Fajar AlfianMuhammad Rian Ardianto made it to the final in fantastic fashion.

Fajar- Muhammad Rian stunned reigning world champions Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen of China 21-14, 19-21, 21-13 while top seeds Kevin-Marcus overcame Lee Jhehuei-Lee Yang of Taiwan 21-15, 20-22, 21-12.