Danish star cools Indon ace

Kenneth Jonassen broke the hearts of Taufik Hidayat fans yesterday and in the process broke the ice for his team in the MVP Cup 2: Asia vs Europe badminton face-off at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jonassen, the world No. 4 from Denmark, used his lean 6-foot-2 frame to his advantage, covering the court so well in handing the reigning Olympic and world champion a surprise loss.

"It was my first time winning over Taufik in four or five matches," Jonassen told the press after his 21-17, 17-21, 21-12 win, the first for Europe, which lost all three matches Friday.

Jonassen’s win, fashioned out before a big crowd that rooted for the Indonesian icon, gave Europe its first two points in the three-day Ryder Cup style tournament.

Only a handful rooted for the 32-year-old Jonassen during the match. But he said it didn’t matter.

"I know," he said when reminded that Hidayat has lots of fans in the Philippines. "I could hear them. Taufik has lots of friends everywhere. Why not? He’s a great player.

"But I was so focused out there. So it didn’t really matter if the crowd cheered for Asia or Europe. Loud cheers make the match more interesting. Unlike in China," said Jonassen.

The 25-year-old Hidayat was not at his best and looked bothered with his lower back condition. He put on a heavy strap underneath his black shirt before the start of the match.

Jonassen was the first to notice.

"I’d say that Taufik wasn’t at his best. That’s why I had good chances and I was more relaxed. I think Taufik is always at his best when he’s playing in Indonesia."

With the way he played, Hidayat might no longer play in today’s crucial men’s singles, the captain’s choice. Most likely, it’ll be world No. 2 Lin Dan of China against Jonassen.

"I have a very bad record against Lin," said Jonassen, certainly the underdog but certainly not without a chance against the Chinese ace.

Also scoring for Europe was the women’s doubles pair of Gail Emms and Donna Kellogg which needed a short time beating their Asian opponents with long names, 21-8, 21-15.

Emms and Kellogg, the world No. 4 women’s pair, had lots of fun on the court against Thailand’s Saralee Thungthongkam and Sathinee Chankrachangwong.

They carried their big smiles into the crowded pressroom. "Yes, we had fun," they said during the interview that was followed by some signing of autographs and picture-taking with fans.

The only victory for Asia yesterday was that of Wang Chen who stunned Mia Audina, an Indonesian now carrying the colors of the Netherlands, 13-21, 21-14, 21-12.

Like Jonassen, Chen felt some (wind) draft in certain areas of the court.

Asia still leads the battle, 5-4. All three matches today, including one featuring RP’s Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion, offer three points each.

Asia won last year’s Asia Cup by the score of 11-7.