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Sunday, April 12, 2009

BAC Finals – Kido and Setiawan Cool Champions


Korea’s doubles pairs kept the spectators on the edge of their seats but finally came up just short at the 2009 Happy Suwon Badminton Asia Championships. Ko Sung Hyun and Yoo Yeon Seong were the closest to glory, erasing nine match points, including six in a row before letting Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan (pictured) add a second Asian title to their extensive collection. Earlier, Ma Jin and Wang Xiaoli took their second straight title leaving Lee/Lee with the silver medal at home for the second time this year.

By Don Hearn, Badzine Correspondent live in Suwon. Photos: Badmintonphoto.com (live)

The hard work appeared to be finished for Lee Kyung Won and Lee Hyo Jung yesterday when they emerged victorious over the pair that had beaten them both in last year’s BAC semi-finals and at their last home final, in Seoul. But Ma Jin and Wang Xiaoli had other plans. They beat a Korean pair in the final their last time in Korea, as juniors in 2006, and with their win in India two weeks ago, they seemed to approach the match like favourites rather than as unseeded underdogs.

The 11-point intervals came on shots that appeared, at first, to tell the tale of each game. In the first, both Lees watched motionless as a smash whizzed right down the centre line. The Chinese kept the momentum and finished the game 21-11. The second game started with an onslaught from the Koreans as they nabbed the first two points with a powerful net kill from Hyo Jung followed by a smash return winner from Kyung Won. The interval came at 11-3 when Hyo Jung killed the shuttle into Ma Jin’s body.

Throughout the match, Lee Kyung Won adopted the tactic of holding her serving pose then flicking over Ma Jin the moment she lowered her hand from the “not ready” signal position. This seemed to work to a point but neither this, nor the Koreans’ impressive start could stop the Chinese from taking back the momentum and they finally caught the Olympic silver medalists at 17-all and took advantage of a string of errors, many of which they themselves created with their consistent, attacking play. The match ended as Lee Hyo Jung pushed another shuttle into the net and the Chinese took their second Grand Prix Gold title in three weeks.

"We are new to the international tour so every new matchup is unfamiliar," said Ma Jin after the match, "but I think we were more prepared to play against them today than they were to play us.

"Lee Kyung Won was trying some different tactics against us but we did well at anticipating their movements so that is why we won."

Korea’s next chance at a title seemed much slimmer as new pair Ko Sung Hyun and Yoo Yeon Seong had the unenviable task of taking on Olympic champions in the men’s doubles final. Each of these Korean players came into this tournament having won no bigger international title than the Vietnam Open but their lack of experience was belied by their stellar performance.

In the first game, the lead continually traded hands until the Indonesians pulled ahead at 16-12. The Koreans evened it up at 18-all but Kido and Setiawan kept their composure and finished it 21-18. Yoo/Ko gained an edge at the interval in the second game but Kido/Setiawan went on a rampage until they earned themselves six match points.

The Koreans then exhibited all the poise they needed under pressure and slowly clawed their way back. Two dubious line calls helped and Setiawan’s appeals to the service judge and chair umpire were to no avail. When Ko Sung Hyun made a spectacular, diving return and Hendra smashed the golden, short lift into the net, the crowd erupted in jubilation.

The Koreans saved another three match points and missed a game point of their own before the Ko mishit an interception to deliver Kido/Setiawan their second Asian title.

After the match, Setiawan maintained that he continued to believe they would win, even in the crucial final points, even though he felt he lacked power due to an inability to sleep the night before the final.

“They played much as we expected: very powerful and speedy,” said Setiawan. “We tried to keep attacking at the end. We thought that was the best way, and with Markis at the back because he has a better smash.

“This win is very important for us because it is our first title this year,” he said, adding that this milestone was more important than taking their first Asian title since 2005. “Now we will celebrate by sleeping and resting for one or two days, then it’s back to training because the Sudirman starts in three weeks. I feel good now and we have confidence now that we can win some Super Series events but it has been boring here without the rest of the Indonesian team. It’s just been me and Markis and our coach.”

“We are very disappointed that we didn’t take the title,” Yoo Yeon Seong said. “We dared to dream of taking the spotlight at home today but at the end it was obvious that the skill difference was just too great and we realize that but I think if we get back and train hard we can beat them the next time.

“In the last points, it was obvious that with all their experience in big finals, they were able to control their excitement and remain calm and that was what made the difference.”

With that final ended the international challenge on finals day but the crowd remained keenly appreciative of the men’s singles final, the first of two all-China affairs, which delighted not only the sizeable Chinese cheering section but which also kept the Korean spectators entertained as they looked forward to the appearance of the nation’s top two mixed doubles pair.

Playing in his first ever international final at the senior level, 2007 World Junior Champion Chen Long made a more than acceptable showing, taking the first game from Bao Chunlai before the veteran buckled down and won the battle of the giants 16-21, 21-10, 21-16.

Friday, April 10, 2009

BAC QF – Sasaki Single Singles Holdout against China



China grabbed a commanding 7 of eight available semi-final spots in singles at the 2009 Happy Suwon Badminton Asia Championships. Sho Sasaki ended up as the last man standing against Chinese domination as he grabbed the last spot with a win over Zhou Wenlong. India’s Parupalli Kashyap threatened to deal Bao Chunlai the same lot but came up short in the end.

By Don Hearn, Badzine Correspondent live in Suwon. Photos: Badmintonphoto.com (live)

Quarter-finals day started off with a string of one-sided doubles matches. Although Zhang Yawen and Chai Biao retired midway through game 2 of their quarter-final, the 30 minutes that had already expired were longer than either of the Korean pairs took to book their semi-final spots. Olympic champions Lee/Lee made quick work of their younger teammates while Malaysia’s Chan/Goh were almost as lost against home favourite Yoo Yeon Seong and Kim Min Jung, who won 21-13, 21-6 in just 27 minutes. Japan’s Hirata Noriyasu / Maeda Miyuki took a little more time but still defeated China’s Chen/Zhang in two.

China then took over the stage. Chen Long got things started with a convincing 21-8, 21-17 drubbing of Japan's Kozai Kazuteru. Then on the centre TV court, Jang Young Soo went to work to salvage the home honour in the men’s singles against Du Pengyu.

Jang kept things close through most of the first game but had trouble keeping his defensive returns low, inviting several easy kills from Du. Du needed some protection from the chair umpire, who corrected an out call on Du’s smash down the forehand line.

Facing 4 game points, Jang was the one to keep his consistency and some deceptive play plus a couple of errors from Du brought up the crucial 20-all tie. Jang then found the touch to put Du on his backhand, prompting a smashable short lift, then on game point, he kept his smash return low and kept the advantage.

In the second game, Jang tried to move Du around but the Chinese shuttler seemed to glide effortlessly wherever he needed to go and finished the game, largely unchallenged. The third game was more of the same. Despite flashes of brilliance, Jang was outplayed by his younger opponent and Du finished it 21-14, ending the home challenge and ensuring half of a very likely all-Chinese final.

Minutes later, Japan’s Sho Sasaki made sure that at least one of the eight singles semi-finalists would be representing a nation other than China. Sho kept up relentless pressure on Zhou Wenlong for a 21-18, 21-16 victory.

Immediately afterward, at the other end of the hall, Parupalli Kashyap took a shot at going one step further and actually blocking the all-Chinese final. Bao came out firing to an early lead but seemed to get complacent as Kashyap stayed focussed and consistent, making his way to a 15-8 lead before Bao started to reel him in. The Indian upstart never panicked, however, and moved out to 19-14 on a deceptive drop that bounced off the tape and into Bao’s court and the first game was soon history.

Bao played with greater urgency in the second game and stole 9 straight points to take a commanding 19-8 lead that the Indian could not dent before allowing Bao to even the match at one game apiece.

Kashyap stayed in control for the first part of the deciding game, leading 11-8 at the interval, a lead he guarded jealously with some punishing attacks to Bao’s backhand after the Chinese giant tied the game at 11- and then 12-all. Bao finally made a 7-point run from which his opponent never recovered and took the match 15-21, 21-9, 21-16 to keep alive the possibility of an all-Chinese final.

“I still don’t know exactly what happened,” said Kashyap after the match. “I think the feeling of beating him didn’t sink in. When I was leading in the third game, I really just wanted to finish it but then I started playing into his hands. He doesn’t like to move around the court. He just wants to keep taking a step or two and driving it and I started letting him do that.

“I think that my shots were better than his today overall but I wasn’t doing anything special. I was just playing my regular game and it was working,” Kashyap said of his ability to take commanding leads in the first and third games.

There was no hint of vulnerability for China in the women’s singles, meanwhile. Not even Hong Kong’s mainland-born Zhou and Wang could block their ex-compatriots Zhu and Wang from joining Wang Lin and Xie Xingfang in the semi-finals. Spectators were robbed of the chance to see a repeat of last year’s final when Jiang Yanjiao ceded a walkover to 2008 runner-up Wang Lin. Zhu Lin played 3 one-sided games against Zhou Mi, coming from a game down to win it 12-21, 21-13, 21-15.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM EVENT: Danes in Gold, Dutch in Silver


When Anne Hald closed out her duel against Yik Man Wong on her 4th match point, she knew the Danish team wrote a new chapter in the already prosperous history of the dominant powerhouse. The 3-0 clean sweep against the Netherlands appears to be a comfortable win at first sight, but the youngsters from Denmark had to fight to claim the title in the team event.

By Elm Vandervorst, Badzine correspondent. Photos (archives) : Badmintonphoto
Both Denmark and the Netherlands won their semi final almost effortless, so it was difficult to predict who would be triumphant at the end. Was the strength of the Dutch double teams sufficient? Or would the stronger singles of Denmark give them the advantage?

The mixed doubles was scheduled as the final’s first match and therefore all pressure was on the shoulders of Jacco Arends and Selena Piek. But their opponents, the Danish pair Anne Skelbaek / Mads Pedersen, took the best start and the first set 21-12. The second game was much closer but after some crucial slip-up’s from Pedersen, the Dutch pair evened the score 21-19. In the deciding rubber the Danes got back on track and took an early lead which they held during almost the entire set. However at 19-9, Arends and Piek got back into the match and took seven points in a row. Close, but not close enough and after 44 minutes of top badminton Denmark took the third set 21-18.

Danish youngster Emil Holst and Jordy Hilbink from the Netherlands were the next line in the men’s singles. The Dutchman started off very well and was leading all the way until 20-16. At that time Hilbink committed some unforced errors and after saving five game points, Holst took the first set 25-23. And also the second set was a very close one. Both players went to 20-20, but again it was Holst who kept his nerves and finished the contest with 22-20.

With 2-0 behind, all eyes were on Yik Man Wong to keep the title dreams of her home country alive. In the women’s singles match she had to beat her adversary Anne Hald. And Hald took immediate control and never gave Man Wong a chance 21-15. Luckily for the crowd the Dutch shuttler took herself together and the opportunity to prevail. But just like her compatriots she felt short and a few minutes later it was Hald who could celebrate her success with her teammates.

Further one Germany and former titleholder England made it to the semi final and they were both given the bronze medal. As there were only seven groups and first seed Denmark was bye in the quarter final, the three other teams at the last eight were France, Russia and Ukraine. Some players already showed some great form and seem fully prepared for the individual event which is going on at the moment.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

ASIAN CHAMPS PREVIEW - Chinese Assault on Suwon Fortress

The Happy Suwon Badminton Asia Championships are set to kick off Tuesday with top flight badminton from some of the best the continent has to offer. Most hotly contested will be the women’s singles, where all but one of the 14 Asians in the world’s top 20 - led by All England champion Wang Yihan ave signalled their intention to play for the title in Korea's historic walled city.

By Don Hearn. Photos: Badmintonphoto.com

Spring has taken its time arriving in Korea but it is expected to finally warm up this week, just in time to greet Asia’s top shuttlers with an eruption of cherry blossoms and other flora as they arrive in Suwon for the Badminton Asia Championships.

The men’s events should have been a happy occasion in Happy Suwon for three Koreans trying to defend their Asian titles. However, with Jung Jae Sung and Park Sung Hwan still missing in action following the start of their military duties, their younger teammates will be soldiering on to try to keep a title at home.

Lee Yong Dae and Shin Baek Cheol will attempt to find the magic that helped them win the German Open title but they will face an uphill task with world #1 pair Kido/Setiawan in the race and in their half of the draw. Before a potential semi-final with the top seeds, Lee/Shin will likely face either their German Open final opponents Hayakawa/Kazuno or China’s Chai Biao / Liu Xiaolong.

The bottom half of the draw is very difficult to predict, stacked as it is with dangerous, second-tier pairs such as Kumar/Thomas, Fang/Lee, Ikeda/Sakamoto, and China’s Guo/Xu. Korea has a more than fair chance of producing a finalist there, too, as veterans Han Sang Hoon / Hwang Ji Man are in a separate quarter from Ko Sung Hyun and Yoo Yeon Seong. Ko won the last tournament held in Suwon while Yoo recently signed on with the Suwon City Hall pro team.

The men’s singles draw is seriously under-strength, especially with the recent announcement that Bao Chunlai will miss the event due to knee surgery. Still, China will be well-represented with Chens Jin and Long as well as Lu Yi, Du Pengyu and Qiu Yanbo.

Boonsak Ponsana who has made early exits in all but two tournaments since last year’s championships, is seeded second and will attempt to challenge the Chinese might. Hafiz Hashim of Malaysia will hope to keep his edge over Chen Long in their likely, second-round showdown and Malaysia will have a legion of youthful challengers to complement their crafty veteran.

The best Korean chance, on paper, is 15th seed Hong Ji Hoon. He could take advantage of Bao Chunlai’s withdrawal but first he will have to get past Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Minh in the round of 16. Osaka finalist Shon Wan Ho will have to show very early that he can play with the big boys as he is set to meet Chen Jin in the second round.

The women’s singles has by far the strongest field. Even the qualifying rounds look more like a Super Series with stalwarts like Zhu Jingjing, Kim Moon Hi, and Kang Hae Won waiting in the wings. Minus the Indonesians, all of Asia’s best are in the draw, including China’s formidable top 7. Two of China’s best, Wang Yihan and Zhu Lin, are crouched to take out Korea’s top two shuttlers – Hwang Hye Youn and Bae Youn Joo respectively - in the first round while Yip Pui Yin and Saina Nehwal are two others with the unenviable tasks of facing the likes of Wang Lin and Jiang Yanjiao in the first round.

If they all make it through their tricky first rounds, Malaysia’s two Wongs will face off against China’s two Wangs and the other major factor is Hong Kong. Wang Chen and Zhou Mi both of whom were semi-finalists in Seoul in January, will be gunning for Wang vs. Wang and Zhou vs. Zhu quarter-final matchups.

Korea’s Lee/Lee have won two Asian women’s doubles titles together and another one each apart. However, they will have to be in top form this week when they face Zhao Tingting / Zhang Yawen in the second round with the winner likely having to go on to face Zhang’s former parter Zhang Dan, now playing with another Zhang under the Macau flag. Zhang/Zhang made their debut together in Suwon two years ago and were embarrassed by a couple of teenagers but they have since been to a Super Series final and are not to be taken lightly. The pair that emerges from that chamber of horrors must face Korea Open champions and top seeds Cheng/Chien of Chinese Taipei.

The bottom half of the draw promises some interesting second round China-Korea matchups, too as India Open champions Ma/Wang take on second-seeded Koreans Ha/Kim and Eom/Jung get a chance at a rematch against former Olympic champions Yang/Zhang, who were given a surprisingly competitive match by the Korean teens in Seoul this winter.

On the face of it, the mixed doubles might seem to be all about the quarter-final between Lee Yong Dae / Lee Hyo Jung and Indonesia’s Flandy Limpele / Vita Marissa in a repeat of the Olympic semi-final.

However, the bottom two quarters may be even more hotly contested, if less likely to produce a title pair. Chinese Taipei's Fang/Cheng, Thailand's Prapakamol/Thoungthongkam, and Korea's (and Suwon's) Yoo Yeon Seong / Kim Min Jung all go at it for one quarter-final spot.

Also, surprise All England finalists Ko Sung Hyun / Ha Jung Eun will get a good chance to show their result in Birmingham was no fluke They are in perhaps the weakest quarter but must take on Hong Kong's fourth-seeded Chau/Wiratama in their quarter-final.

The dark horses in the mixed draw are from China as veteran Zhang Yawen teams up with 19-year-old Chai Biao. Swiss Open champion Ma Jin also has a temporary partner and she may get a chance to see if her winning streak over Olympic Champions Lee/Lee was due to more than just Zheng Bo.

Badzine will be on site in Suwon all week to bring you the action complete with live photos.

OSAKA INT'L - Singles Seeds Stung


Only two seeded players remain in the singles draws at the 2009 Osaka International Challenge. Korea has swept all four semi-final spots in the men's event while a Korea-Japan final is fixed for the women's singles. Meanwhile, Japan accounts for all but one doubles semi-finalist in all three disciplines.

By Don Hearn. Photos: Don Hearn and Badmintonphoto.com (archives)

20-year-old 8th seed Shon Wan Ho was the only seeded player to make it to the semi-finals in men's singles. He also played the longest of the four matches on Friday as it took him just under an hour to see off Pakkawat Vilailak of Thailand 21-11, 21-23, 21-15. He will face Korean veteran Jang Young Soo, who beat second seed Hsieh Yu Hsin in 3.

Top seed Ai Goto barely made it through to the last four in women's singles, beating Korean veteran Bae Seung Hee 24-22, 18-21, 21-15 in a 74-minute marathon quarter-final. She will face Imai Sachiyo in the semi-finals. The other semi-final will be between Korea's twin towers, Kim Moon Hee and Sung Ji Hyun Kim had worked hard in the second round to eliminate China's only entry, Wang Rong, but had an easy time with Thai teenager Porntip Buranaprasertsuk in the quarter-finals, winning in under half an hour. Sung Ji Hyun, meanwhile, announced her candidacy for this year's junior titles when she beat last year's World Junior Championship runner-up Sayaka Sato 18-21, 21-19, 21-11.

The doubles events all belong to Japan but the quarter-finals were not without drama. Komatsuzaki/Taohata removed the only seed in the men's event, edging Thailand's Chalardchalaem/Thanarkthong in three quick games.

In women's doubles, only the top seeds, Fujii/Kakiiwa, survived as all four quarter-finals were very close. The closest was an unheard-of 72-minute two-game match won by Matsumoto Misaki / Takahashi Ayaka over 4th seeds Naito/Matsuo 21-19, 22-20. The Japanese 18-year-olds had advanced to the quarter-finals with a sweet victory of Korea's Eom/Jung, who had beaten this pair in two junior events last year, including one at home.

Mixed is the only doubles discipline with a non-Japanese pair as top seeds Chien Yu Chin / Hsieh Yu Hsin of Chinese Taipei scraped by Amitrapai/Chalardchalaem of Thailand with a 20-22, 21-12, 21-19 victory.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Kontrak Sponsor Setara Ronaldinho dan Powell

Prestasi pebulutangkis Indonesia memang sedang meredup di awal tahun 2009, tapi hal ini tak membuat mereka kehilangan daya tarik. Enam pebulutangkis anggota pelatnas PBSI dan pelatih Hendrawan secara resmi bergabung dengan tim Nutrilite Indonesia, yang didukung oleh Nutrilite, produk suplemen dan multivitamin dari Amway. Secara simbolis, bergabungnya Sony Dwi Kuncoro, Simon Santoso, Maria Kristin, Adriyanti Firdasari, Markis Kido, dan Hendra Setiawan dengan tim Nutrilite Indonesia ini dilakukan di Hall Badminton Olimpic, Kelapa Gading, Jakarta, Minggu (29/3).

“Kami tak cuma melihat prestasi mereka di 2009. Indonesia punya sejarah dan tradisi yang bagus di cabang bulu tangkis. Prestasi atletnya kelas dunia. Ini yang menjadi alasan kami memberikan dukungan buat mereka,” jelas Koen Verheyen, Presiden Direktur Amway Indonesia.

Di kancah internasional, Nutrilite telah menggaet atlet kelas dunia macam Ronaldinho (sepak bola) dan Asafa Powell (atletik) untuk menjadi bintang iklan. Kerja sama ini membuat Sony dkk. menjadi model iklan Nutrilite, baik di papan reklame ataupun media cetak.

Menurut Hendrawan, Nutrilite bakal menyuplai suplemen dan vitamin untuk Sony dkk. Jenisnya disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan.

“Ada dua macam suplemen yang dikonsumsi oleh mereka. Selain itu, ada juga suplemen tambahan, tergantung pada permintaan dan kebutuhan. Misalnya untuk mengontrol tekanan darah atau meminimalkan cedera seperti yang dikonsumsi Kido dan Simon,” jelas Hendrawan.

“Yang paling terasa pengaruhnya adalah untuk proses pemulihan kondisi. Hal ini tentu bermanfaat jika sedang latihan berat untuk persiapan sebuah turnamen,” kata Sony.

''Daya tahan dalam latihan jadi lebih lama. Selain itu, saya juga jarang sakit,'' imbuh Firdasari.

Tambah Pemain

Menurut Hendrawan, kerja sama ini diawali dari pemakaian produk Nutrilite oleh beberapa atlet sekitar satu setengah tahun yang lalu. Setelah ada komitmen dan kemauan dari atlet untuk rutin memakai, kerja sama yang lebih serius pun dijalin. Selain memberikan suplemen secara gratis, ada nominal yang juga diterima pemain. Hanya, soal ini Koen tak mau menyebut.

Tak menutup kemungkinan pemain di nomor ganda campuran dan ganda putri bakal menyusul mereka yang sudah lebih dulu masuk tim Nutrilite Indonesia.

“Saat ini kontrak kami dengan pemain untuk jangka waktu satu tahun. Tapi, ada kemungkinan untuk terus berlanjut, kalau bisa sampai Olimpiade 2012,” tutur Koen.

Announced in Milan the 2009 Badminton European Junior Championships




Announced in Milan the 2009 Badminton European Junior Championships



This morning the 2009 Badminton European Junior Championships, due to take place in the Milan Palabadminton from April 3 to 12 2009, have been presented at the Press Centre of Palazzo Marino.

Not only sports and competition but also different collaterals have been dealt with, with particular focus on the opening ceremony in the Badminton-dedicated structure at the Sports Centre XXV Aprile.



FIBa President Alberto Miglietta, the new Sport City Councillor Alan Rizzi, the President of CONI Lombardia Pino Zoppini, the President of the Organising Committee of Milan, European Capital of Sport 2009 Filippo Grassia and the Italian Junior team coach Fabio Morino attended the conference.



The host Alan Rizzi: opened the press meeting. “This sport was born in England, my second country since I was born in London. That’s why I’m even more proud to participate in this sports major event which will contribute making Milan becoming the European Capital of Sport and the restructured fixture of the Sport Centre XXV Aprile will be the pride of our city”.



Pino Zoppini: took then the floor “These championships are not only an elite competition but they are also the occasion for the opening of a federation centre which was unthinkable some years ago.”.



Filippo Grassia echoed these words and declared “sports and political will can make good things in short time . Palabadminton has been strongly wanted not only by the Federation but also by the Olympic Committee and the Institutions and actually it was renovated in only three months



FIBa President Alberto Miglietta took then the flloor: “I would say that we could call these championships the “first time championships’. It is the first time that our sport organises European championships in Italy: It is the first time that the 10 days formula is adopted for competitions.. It is the first time that FIBa feels it has a home, a federal centre in which next August the project London 2012 with the six best athletes living in Milan will start. It is the first time that I, coming from Milan, will organise a badminton event in my city. It has been quite a challenge –Miglietta proudly continues – and we won. Our federation is not very well known but it is very active and I am quite happy to underline that the three millions euro we required have been really well earned’.



After a short video showing badminton and the National Junior team the Italian coach Fabio Morino revealed some curiosity on this sport: “The team is in good shape and our boys and girls are pretty excited. We will be especially watching Giovanni Greco, our top athlete already included in the London 2012 Olympic programme. Our sport is very dynamic and spectacular and some of you may not know that the shuttle, made of 16 goose feathers with a cork basis may overcome 320Km/h speed, about 6/7 time more than a tennis ball! So I invite all of you to come and see what it is about”..



Next randezvous will be Thursday April 2 at 6.30 p.m. for the inaugural ceremony of the Palabadminton and the official opening the Championships with Antonio Rossi and Agnese Allegrini.

Competitions will start on Friday 3 with the qualifying matches of the Team events.

EUROPEAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS: Team event preview


Two years ago at the European Junior Championships held in the German town of Saarbrucken, the English squad was on top of the world after claiming the team event title. But this year at the Palabadminton in Milan all of the 29 participating countries have a chance to dethrone England. From big favorites as Denmark and the Netherlands up to complete outsiders like Iceland or Hungary.

By Elm Vandervorst, Badzine correspondent. Photos : Badmintonphoto (archives)

Divided into seven groups, all involved nations will try to qualify for the next round. Each group contains one seeded country and three other contestants, except for group 1 with five competitors. Based on their previous results, among others their victory at the last U17 Championship, Denmark is the top seed and one of the favorites. The Northern European powerhouse has a very balanced squad, but claiming another title will be easier said than done. The Danish boys and girls will have to deal with “neighbors” Finland and Norway. Greece and Bulgaria are the two remaining participants of this pentad.

In group 2, the Dutch squad is clear favorite. After their silver medal at the previous edition, they’ll only settle for a golden one this year. The Netherlands can count on their “experienced” female twosome Selena Piek and Iris Tabeling, who made it all to the final of the latest German Junior. But also the rest of the team will be hard to beat. Their first opponent Portugal has with Pedro Martins one of the most gifted youngster around, but they’ll probably battle for the second spot together with Lithuania and Hungary.

Reigning champion England will have a difficult task to extend their title, but surviving the group phase is an absolute must. They have some very talented youngsters, demonstrated by the several quarter finals at both the Dutch and German Junior some months ago. Romania, Spain and Austria are England’s adversaries in group 3.

In the 4th Group, Russia is considered a main contender for the championship. An extremely strong female delegation certainly will get them past the first round. Natalie Perminova en Romina Gabdullina already won gold and silver at the Dutch Junior in February and also their female double teams proof to be tough to overcome. But will the Russian boys be able to compete at the same level? Host Italy, Wales and Switzerland will combat for the remaining spots.

Group 5 is on paper the most difficult to predict. Ukraine is classified as the fifth seed but the Scottish squad includes a very gifted generation, with for example their mixed pair Van Rietvelde-Sloan. Even Sweden and Turkey aren’t prospectless to prevail.

France is without a doubt the top favorite in group 6. One of the upcoming stars of French badminton is Alexandre Francoise who was successful at both the Belgian as Polish Junior in the beginning of 2009. Nevertheless the French have to get rid of Slovenia, Belgium and the Czech Republic. Three countries who should be able to steal some gained points from the French force.

In the last cluster, seventh seed Germany booked some great results in their home country at the German Open. Especially their women’s duo Nelte – Burkert impressed. Poland will be their biggest competitor for a spot in the next round. For both Estonia and Iceland, the group phase will likely be their last stop

Monday, March 30, 2009

INDIA OPEN - Taufik & Pi Crowned India Open Champions



It was back to winning ways for Badminton’s Prodigal Son as Taufik Hidayat was crowned the “Nizam” of the India Open 2009 at Hyderabad today. Taufik last topped a podium at the last Grand Prix Gold event in Macau. Pi Hongyan, on the other hand, scooped her first title in nearly three years while youngsters Ma Jin and Wang Xiaoli took their first title since their junior days.

By Gaurav Gupta, Badzine Correspondent live in Hyderabad.
Photos: Gaurav Gupta (live) and Badmintonphoto.com (archives)There could be no better treat for the fans gathered at the Gachi Bowli stadium than to witness Hidayat’s win against Md Hafiz Hashim of Malaysia in the men’s singles final. There were flashes of his brilliance today but first gear was all that Taufik needed to capture his first title of 2009.

The 21-18, 21-19 score line would suggest a close game but the Indonesian master never allowed Hafiz any whiff of a possibility. The Malaysian was unable to build on a 14-7 lead in the first game. A playing style that saw him matching Taufik at the net was not sufficient to compensate for his inability to come up with answers against Taufik’s brilliant outright winners.

A quick exchange of points at the start of the second left Taufik trailing 2-4 but that was all the impetus Taufik needed. 10-11 was the point score at the towel-down and both players traded some delightful strokes as Hafiz displayed when he came up with a backhand smash of a similar quality of Taufik’s much to the delight of the small Malaysian fan gathering, but it was clearly evident that Taufik was the player in charge. Stringing together a series of 4 points he leapt to a 19-17 lead from which Hafiz could never recover.

“I’m surprised by the support I got in this tournament and thank you to all the fans. I had a great time at the tournament,” commented Taufik, thereby winning himself a very special place among the Hyderabadis.

Pi Hongyan’s brilliance in making the requisite tactical changes at the right moment was critical in quelling the challenge of a spirited Julia Wong as she claimed her first major title win since the 2006 Singapore Open.

The Chinese-born French girl had to overcome frustration as she was unable to come to grips with the drift and kept serving long and hitting her lifts way past the baseline in an error-ridden first game. Taking advantage of an unsettled Pi, the Malaysian girl opened a 3-point margin from 15 all to 18-15 eventually winning the game 21-17.

Realizing that her rally style of play was not best suited to the court conditions, Pi made the critical shift in tactics and steamrolled to an 8-5 lead crafting 5 points in a row only to be chased back by Julia as they went into the mid game break with Pi trailing 10-11. Keeping the shuttle down and attacking into Julia’s body was the masterstroke the French star employed as she strung together another series of 5 straight points to claw back to a 16-12 lead and close the game 21-15 to level the match.

The setback of the second game did not seem to weigh heavily on Julia as she built a 7-4 advantage early in the third game. But it was Pi who had made the quick change necessary to adapt to the drift. Another series of 5 points for Pi saw her take control as she went up 13-9 and there was no looking back from then on. By the time Pi put together another 4 points in a row to go up 19-12, Julia had no chance of coming back. Pi claimed her Indian Open crown winning the third game 21-14.

“I realized there was a problem and told myself – it is you who has to find a solution,” Pi said later. That solution was the key to the title treasure chest for a very delighted Pi as she carried her signature happy smile all the way to the podium to collect her prize cheque.

The veteran duo of Choong Tan Fook / Lee Wan Wah quickly wiped away the disappointment of the Malaysian losses in the men’s and women’s singles finals in their “demolition derby” against the hapless Singaporean pair of Hendri Saputra / Hendra Wijaya.

It seemed like the Malaysians were hell-bent on breaking their record of the fastest finish to the first game (they had taken only 4 minutes in their 1st semi-final game against Wijaya/Riyadi) and were just prevented from doing so as Saputra/Wijaya stretched them to 6 minutes before Choong/Lee won 21-9.

Serve, Return and Attacking Smash Winner – was the formula used by the experienced Malaysians as they continued their destructive ways into the second half of the match. It was only a matter of time before the relentless attack of the wily veterans saw a meek surrender by the Singaporeans, who never looked like they’d got into the match.

17 minutes was all the time the former Asian Badminton champs needed to claim a title that seemed rightfully theirs from the outset, as they won the second game 21-11.

Hyderabad saw three repeat finalists from the last Grand Prix Gold event. In addition to Taufik and Julia, unseeded combination of Ma Jin / Wang Xiaoli came to the court looking for a golden title. The 2006 World Junior Champions took their first ever senior title, bringing the Chinese their only gold medal from this Indian outing. Faster court coverage and clean hitting from Wang Xiaoli gave the Chinese duo the upper hand right from the start.

Taking advantage of a jittery Vita Marissa, the Chinese duo directed their attack towards the more experienced of the Indonesian pair whose error-prone game was exploited.

Strings of points at key times characterized the entire match with Ma/Wang winning 5 on the trot in each game. The 21-14, 21-13 win ended in just under the half-hour mark and was testimony to the clinical finishing which has trademarked the Chinese performance throughout this tournament week.



The experienced pairing of Flandy Limpele and Vita Marissa made it a second Indonesian gold on finals day, capturing the mixed doubles title at their first tournament together since Beijing.

Putting pressure on Jwala Gutta’s heavy court movements and with the Indians forgetting that the weak link was Marissa and not Flandy, the Indonesians outplayed the home pair in the first game 21-14. Limpele/Marissa were put under pressure by the Indians in the second. The boisterous gathering helped the home pair to surge to a 17-13 lead.

But “the drift”, a major factor influencing matches in the venue, sent two drive returns from Diju sailing out. That was the only opening that the Indonesians needed to conjure up eight straight points and claim the XD title finishing off the match 21-17 in the second.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

WILSON SWISS OPEN – Clark and Kellogg - Experience over Youth

In the morning session on day 1 of the Swiss Open Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg sent out a stark reminder to the rest of the English squad that they mean business in Basel this week. The world number 4 pair took just 23 minutes to send their English understudies Adcock and White home with their tails between their legs.
By Mark Phelan. Photos: badmintonphoto.com ( Live in Basel)

The English number ones might feel they have something to prove this week in Switzerland after what must been seen as a poor week for English badminton at the All England’s last week in Birmingham.
In what was being billed as a ‘Battle of Britain’ in today first round turned out to be nothing more than ‘walk in the park’ for the experienced duo as they powered home to a 21-7 21-5 win. In the first set the English Veterans cruised to a virtually unchallenged victory and the second set was more or a warm down that a competitive game as, after the game was tied at 4-4, the younger English duo only managed one further point in the entire game.
World number 1 pairing Nova Widianto and Liliyana Natsir continued to struggle on European soil this spring as they took three sets to see of the Challenge of David Lindley and Suzanne Rayappan. The Indonesians will be hoping to bounce back this week after their early defeat in Birmingham last week.
Limpele and Russkikh had to bow out in the first round after their heroics in reaching the semi final of the All England’s last week. A disappointing 21-17 21-13 defeat to Malaysia’s Tazari and Wong will leave the new global pairing with much to ponder ahead of their summer’s Super Series trip to Asia.
Elsewhere in the mixed doubles first round Olympic champions got off to a shaky first set start with a 22-20 win over German duo Overzier and Schoettler. The Beijing gold medallists composed themselves and pull away in the second for a 21-8 win and a second round berth. There was delight for the home Swiss crowd as Agung and Tuwankotta left their higher ranked French opponents reeling with a three set win. The Swiss took the opener but Careme and Choinet hit back with a tight 27-25 win after the Swiss squandered match point at 25-24. The Swiss duo held their nerve in the final set and after falling behind 11-5 bounced back to stun their French opponents to take the set 21-18.
Blair and Bankier blew a 13-11 lead in the final set of their first round match and their challenge appeared to instantly dissolve as their Chinese Taipei opponents won the next 10 points to dump the number 6 seeds out at first round stage.

Monday, March 9, 2009

YONEX ALL ENGLAND – Wang victorious in Chinese Clean Sweep


Wang Yihan, the 22 year old Chinese world number 8 claimed her maiden All England title at only her second attempt after beating defending champion Tine Rasmussen in three sets 21-19 21-23 21-11. China completed an historic clean sweep as Cai and Fu delivered a fifth gold medal and leaves the world in no doubt that the Asian nation continue to be the benchmark in professional badminton

By Mark Phelan (Live) photo: badmintonphoto.com (Live in Birmingham)

It was China’s day on day 6 of the All England Championships as they swept to an unprecedented clean sweep of all five titles at the most prestigious of all individual tournaments. After taking the mixed doubles, men’s singles and women’s doubles early in the final session, with a mixture of youth and experience lifted the women’s singles and men’s doubles to finish the All England whitewash.

Wang Yihan one of the more emotionally expressive Chinese players on court, defeated Tine Rasmussen in three sets as Rasmussen ran out of steam in the final set and had no answers to the Chinese onslaught.

In the first Rasmussen settled quickest and established an early lead at 9-5 but Wang Yihan stormed back to level at the mid game interval. It was then the Chinese players turn to take the advantage as she led 14-11 but just as Wang Yihan had done earlier in the set Tine bounced back to level 19-19. An unforced error from The Dane down the tramline handed the opening set to Wang Yihan and Rasmussen was once again faced with the unenviable task of making a comeback if she was to retain her title.

The second set was a game of ‘cat and mouse’ as both players returned shuttles that appeared to be clear winners to any mere mortal watching on. During the set there was never more than three points between the players as they fought out an intense battle of long energy sapping rallies throughout. Wang Yihan had match point at 21-10 but a chance of tactic from Rasmussen was to bare fruit as she appeared to purpously shorten the rallies and attacked at every opportunity not allowing her Chinese opponent time to set up a winner. Rasmussen won three straight points to take the set to the delight of the NIA crowd and force the game into a deciding rubber.

In the third it was clear that exploits of Rasmussen’s comeback in her semi final and the intensity of the previous set was taking its toll as she struggled to match the pace of her younger opponent. Wang Yihan took an instant lead that Rasmussen would never recover from and the Chinese youngster ran out a comfortable 21-11 winner in the third to claim the All England title.

The young Chinese player immediately went to celebrate with her coach and current Olympic Champion Zhang Ning and was obviously overcome with joy at her All England win. “That’s how I am. I express myself on court as I am a rather joyful person. I had beaten her twice before but this time feels especially good as it’s only my second time playing here and I had lost to my compatriot Lu Lan then. I believe that I’ve played some of my best badminton this week and I’m thrilled,”

Tine however was visibly frustrated“I wasn’t even sure of making the semi-finals coming here and I was actually very close to losing at that stage so I shouldn’t complain. Of course I am disappointed but I took my chances and I believe we played well. I won my points but I also made to many errors and she scored on those errors. I was very tired today and it showed it think in some of the errors I made.” said Tine, who confirmed she would skip the Wilson Swiss Open to rest and prepare for the Sudirman Cup.

In the final game on court there was further joy for China as their experienced men’s doubles pair of Cai and Fu completed the clean sweep for China as they comfortably beat newly created Korean pair Han Sang Hoon and Hwang Ji Man in two straight sets 21-17 21-15.
After the game head coach Li Yongbo accompanied his experienced war horses to the press conference and was obviously all smiles as he spoke about his countries clean sweep of all five titles.

“We didn’t think of getting all medals and I wanted my shuttlers to focus on their own games and not worry about their compatriots nor the fact that we could make the clean sweep. This clean sweep was never in my mind however, I am very proud of my players today. It is a team spirit that won here,” said Li Yongbo

YONEX ALL ENGLAND – Lin Dan Claims 4th All England Title


Lin Dan today claimed his fourth All England in impressive fashion as he reaffirmed his position as the greatest men’s singles player on the planet in beating world number 1 Lee Chong Wei in a repeat of the 2008 Beijing Olympic final.

By Mark Phelan (Live) Photos: Badmintonphoto.com (Live in Birmingham)

The crowd went wild as both Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei entered the stadium this afternoon in Birmingham, England. There was not a vacant seat in the house as all assembled were transfixed as they eagerly awaited the repeat of the Olympic final from Beijing last August. The boisterous fans were not to be disappointed as both players dished out a master class in professional badminton in what was a perfect advertisement for the sport in general.

The first set was a very competitive affair as it was clear from the off that both players were up for the challenge. Early on it was the Chinese Olympic Champion that set the pace as he eased into a 8-2 lead aided by amazing net play and pin point smashing. Lee Chong Wei fought back to the delight of the vast hoards of Malaysian fans in the arena and at the mid game interval only trailed by 2 points. Both players continued to amaze the crowd with rallies of exquisite badminton but it was Lin Dan who had the upper hand and at 16-12 looked to have the set in the bag.

Lee Chong Wei then hit the Olympic Champion with a counter punch and won 3 points to close to within 1 and after Lin Dan stopped the rot with a smash down the line, Lee Chong Wei once again pressed the accelerator to win 4 unanswered points to take the lead in the first set for the first time 19-17.

As if not to be outdone, it was now Lin Dan’s time to counter and from a seemingly hopeless position he went to win four straight points to clinch the opener 21-19 to the rapturous applause of the appreciative Birmingham crowd. It was clear to all assembled that winning here was vitally important to Lin Dan as he clinched his fist after winning the opening set.

“In the first set there were a few occasions where I let him (Lee Chong Wei) back into the set but I stayed calm and worked to my plan. It was a close game and it could have gone either way but I managed to stay focused and win,” commented Lin Dan on his opening set win.

In the second set, the Malaysian started off in positive form, and with a little help from a few unforced net errors by Lin Dan, eked out a slender 6-5 lead. Lin Dan then won the next four points to take a 9-6 advantage and had Lee Chong Wei hanging onto his coat tails at 14-12 where the destiny of the match still hung in the balance. It was at this point that the Olympic Champion proved to everyone assembled why he is the best in the world and went on a point-winning spree to take 7 points in a row to claim yet another All England title. As the match point shuttle dropped aimlessly over the end line, from a Lee Chong Wei lift, the Chinese star clenched his fists with joy and saluted the packed arena.

“I think we both played very well today and really the winner today was the game of badminton. I think we gave the spectators what they wanted and Lee Chong Wei was as much a part of that as I was. I have won everything there is to win in badminton now but I still have motivation to be the best ambassador for the sport I can. Without doubt this is a huge motivation for me,” said Lin Dan after his historic win.

In the first match on court the Chinese number 3 seeds He Hanbin and Yu Yang stumbled in losing the opening set to brand-new Korean pair Ko Sung Hyun and Ha Jung Eun. The Chinese pair hit back in the second to level the match at one set each and in the third just cruised away from the Koreans to take the 3rd 21-9 and with it the title of All England Champions 2009.

“The first game we were not good today but we corrected our approach for the second and managed to get ourselves back into the match at 1 set each. In the third we played very well and played to our strengths and we are obviously delighted to win the All England title. This is a great boast in confidence for us as we are only a new pair and we look forward now to going on and improving more and winning many more tournaments,” said He Hanbin after the Chinese mixed doubles win.

China claimed its third title on finals day as number 7 seeds Zhang Yawen and Zhao Tingting beat compatriots Cheng/Zhao in two sets 21-13, 21-15.

Friday, March 6, 2009

YONEX ALL ENGLAND – Taufik Avenges French Final Defeat




Taufik Hidayat beat Peter Gade today in two sets to avenge his defeat in the French Super Series final last Novemeber and did it on the 10th Anniversary of the their famous 1999 final where Gade won his one and only All England title.

By Mark Phelan (Live) Photos: badmintonphoto.com (Live in Birmingham)


Taufik Hidayat today booked his All England semi final berth as he controlled his way to a two set win over Peter Gade and takes one step closer to realising his dream of winning the All England, the one major tournament that has eluded him.
Both players started the match cautiously and their mutual respect was evident as they each tried to find a way to break the others resolve. The control of first set drifted back and forth between the two giants of world badminton and it was Taufik who made the decisive move as while Gade held a slender lead of a single point at 16-15. With some delicate lifts and drops the Indonesian moved Gade around the court and won 4 points without reply to take a 19-16 lead. Taufik continued to drive home is end of set dominance and secured the final two points to take the opening set 21-17 and leave Gade with an uphill battle if he was to take as step in securing his second All England title.
In the second set the tide continued to swap both sides of the net in much the same way as the first. The game was clearly a tactical battle between two amazing exponents of the game as long rallies were the order of that day as both attempted to find an opening to smash home a winner. Gade led at 14-12 and appeared to have found his tactical feet but Taufik then stepped up a gear and won five points to leave Gade battling just to survive. The Indonesian maintained his advantage for the remainder of the set and took the set 21-18 to advance to tomorrow’s semi final where he will now play world number 1 Lee Choong Wei.

“It is hard to believe that that it is 10 years since I played Peter here in the final on this very court. Things are much different now we are different players and both of us are a lot older. Today was a tactical game, not much power but a lot of head play. I’m more motivated now and the power to win comes from inside. Tomorrow will be a different game but I’m fitter now and my form is better.” Said a delighted Taufik after his quarter final victory.

In the women’s singles Nanna Brosolat Jensen continued her fairy tale All England journey as she displayed a new found maturity to defeat yet another higher ranked player in Julia Pei Xian Wong of Malaysia. The qualifier from Denmark has blossomed in this tournament and was tactically aware on court today to leave her opponent with no answers as she ran out a rather comfortably 21-16 21-16 winner.

“I knew I had a chance today as I have been playing well. I believe more now that I can win but like yesterday I tried not to put to much pressure on myself. I tried my best to stay calm and im aware that I have now played 5 matches since Tuesday. I actually feel fine physically but mentally I’m beginning to feel the strain.” Said Brosolat after her win

In the men’s doubles Cai and Fu from China sent out clear warning signals to all their competitors in beating 2003 World Champions Passke and Rasmussen from Denmark. The Danes, who have been together since 2001, had few answers to the power of the Chinese and were always playing catch up as the Chinese revelled in their new found enthusiasm after their post Olympic break. In the first the Chinese powered their way to a 21-17 win and they followed that up with a thoroughly convincing 21-16 win in the second. On the evidence of this display it would be a fool that would dare bet against the Chinese from adding another All England to the title they last won in 2005.

“We have been together for 7 years so we don’t need much practise to get back to our best. Right now I think we are at about 80% of our best. This is a really good venue and we feel relaxed here as we have been coming here for many years. The break did us good and we are back now together and are very enthusiastic.
I don’t think the Danes played especially well today as they made a lot of errors but the standard here in the men’s doubles is very high so the tournament does not suffer at all with the loss of Kido and Setiawan.” Said a confident Cai (photo right) after there comfortable win over the Danes.

Elsewhere English dreams and aspirations were ended rather prematurely as both Wallwork/White and Clark/Kellogg exited the All England stage on TV day number 1. Chen Jin was made work hard for a quarter final victory as he was stretched to three sets against Sho Sasaki from the Japan. It took a match point net foul from the Japanese shuttler to see the reigning champion over the line and he will count himself fortunate to be lining out in tomorrows semi final.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

YONEX ALL ENGLAND – Zhou Mi out but hardly an upset!!



World number 2 and number 2 seed Zhou Mi had to succumb to the talents of Chinese shuttler and recent German Open winner Wang Yihan in what, on paper, appears an upset but in reality is just another day at the office for the Chinese wonder kid.

By Mark Phelan (Live) Photos: badmintonphoto.com (Live in Birmingham)

In day of a few surprises in the women’s singles it was Wang Yihan’s turn to dump a seed out of the tournament. The Chinese shuttler dented Zhou Mi’s aspirations of All England glory in the longest game of the day which extended to 6 minutes over an hour in a titanic three set battle.
Wang Yihan took the opening set after both players struggled to find any consistent rhythm as they shared the lead back and forth to level at 19-19. Just when it looked like the set might extend beyond 21 the world number 17 found the inspiration to take the next two points to deal the first blow in this badminton marathon.
In the second set the momentum once again ebbed back and forth but this time at 18-18 it was Zhou Mi who found the touch to take the three points she needed to level that match up at one set a piece.
In the third the world number 2 took a seemingly unassailable lead at 13-5 and looked to be heading to the quarter final but Yihan found the resolve and determination to fight back and level the match at 18-18 and even went on to lead at 19-18. Both players were level again at 21-21 and with match point to Yihan at 22-21 Zhou Mi drove into the net to give the Chinese shuttler the win and in doing so put the 4th Chinese shuttler into tomorrow’s quarter final.


In the mixed doubles it was a bad day for Denmark as all three of their remaining pairs were shown the door at the second round stage. Earlier in the day the combinations of Bonde/Neilsen and Delbo Larsen/Schjoett Kristensen fell at the hands of Asian opponents and late in to the evenings play world number 5 pair of Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl were beaten in three sets 16-21 21-12 21-18 by Chinese pair Zheng Bo and Ma Jin.

Cai and Fu continued to impress on their return as a pair with a 25 minute win in 2 sets over Korean pair Kwon and Yoo while number 2 seeds from Denmark Rasmussen and Passke were clearly refreshed after been rested for the European Team Championships two weeks ago as they took only half an hour to defeat Ikeda and Sakamoto from Japan.

As the evening drew to a close Denmark’s men’s and women’s singles players continued to fly the flag for the European powerhouse as Peter Gade and Tine Rasmussen followed Persson and Brosolat Jensen in making it through to tomorrows quarter final. Boe and Mogensen continued that winning trend for Denmark with a convincing win over Fuchs and Kindervarter from Germany 21-18 21-11.

In the battle of Britain in the mixed doubles it was a case of experience emerging victorious over youth. Number 4 seeds Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg in their first appearance at this years All England’s were composed is ending the dream of Gabby White and Chris Adcock 21-14 21-16.

YONEX ALL ENGLAND – Lin Dan back with a BANG!!



The most anticipated match of the day in Birmingham saw the return to action of Olympic Champion, Lin Dan, who entered the arena to rapturous applause. The charismatic world number 2 is a clear crowd favourite here in Birmingham and to all a clear favourite for the men’s singles title, which to some commentators he handed on a plate to his compatriot Chen Jin this time last year to help his fellow countryman’s efforts for Olympic qualification.

By Mark Phelan (Live) Photos: badmintonphoto.com (Live in Birmingham)


Lin Dan took to court today and in typical Lin Dan fashion gave his fans plenty of highs and lows as he moved effortlessly into tomorrow's second round with a 2 set win over world number 50 Anup Sridhar from India.

The Indian shuttler took the very first point of set one but that was to be the only time he headed ‘Super Dan’ in the opening set. As if to tease his opponent the Olympic Champion always seemed to dangle the temptation of an upset by keeping a safe but catchable distance ahead of his opponent but eventually took the opener 21-13 to leave Sridhar the almost impossible task of needing to take the next two sets to advance.

The second set was altogether much closer as for the majority of the game and both players had the crowd on the edge of their seats as they traded blows and points and were all square at 14-14. Lin Dan at this point seemed to push the overdrive button as if to show the crowd that he was always in control and instantly won the remaining 7 points needed to take the set and the win and doing so sets up the tie of the second round against recent German Open winner Bao Chunlai of China.

Defending women’s champion Tine Rasmussen entered the tournament with a potentially tricky tie against Xing Aiying of Singapore. Rasmussen is attempting to retain her title that she claimed last year which is a feat that has not been achieved by a Danish women’s singles player since Lene Koppen achieved back to back wins in 1979 and 1980.



Rasmussen, sporting her new Babolat attire, was made fight hard against her world number 29 opponent. Aiying took a commanding lead in the first and at 17-14 up looked to be on the way to causing an upset. Rasmussen re grouped and was clearly not in the mood for a three sett battle this early in the tournament and took the next 7 points to take the opening set 21-17.

In the second set the world number one was never led as she controlled the set with power and craft. Aiying was still in the game at 10-9 but then Rasmussen took firm control and compiled two runs of 3 points without reply and eventually ran out a comfortable winner 21-15 in a match that lasted just under a half hour on court number 2.

Other winners in the late evening session were number 5 mixed doubles pair from Denmark Laybourn and Rytter Juhl as they overcame Korean pair Han Sang Hoon and Kim Min Jung in two tough sets 21-17, 21-19.

In the final match of the day, English hopes were dealt a further blow as Sarah Bok was forced to withdraw from the mixed doubles due to illness having played earlier in the day in the women’s doubles. This was a blow for the young English pair as they had come through qualification to reach the first round and must have fancied their chances to cause a further upset and make a second round appearance, but it was just not to be.

YONEX ALL ENGLAND – Russian/Indonesian Combination Blooms



Anastasia Russkikh (Russia) and Flandy Limpele (Indonesia) caused a ripple in the Chinese sea today as they beat Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen in three sets. The Chinese were obviously strong favourites for the match but the experience of Russkikh and Limpele paid dividends and today’s result, in combination with their semi-final appearance in Germany last week, has gone a long way to establish the pair as a major force in international mixed doubles badminton.


By Mark Phelan (Live) Photos: badmintonphoto.com (Live in Birmingham)



Limpele and Russkikh who were brought together by GPS (www.globalplayerservices.net) at a meeting at the French Open in 2008, were today victorious over established Chinese pair Xie Zhongbo / Zhang Yawen Not many expected the European/Indonesian pair to win but they have come together this season with a goal and purpose to display to the world that they have what it takes to take on the top pairings in mixed doubles badminton.

The first set ebbed and flowed back and forth as both pairings found their All England feet. It was Russkikh/Limpele who eked out a mid-game lead at 11-7 but the Chinese bounced right back to take the next 5 points to level the game at 11-11. The score board continued to fluctuate in increments of one as both teams played struggled to find the kinks in their opponents' armour. The Chinese had a slender lead at 17-16 and once they had their nose in front they did not need another invitation as they rattled off the next four points to take the opening game 21-16.

In the second set, the first six points where traded before Limpele and Russkikh applied the gas and put some daylight between themselves and their opponents at 9-6. The Chinese sensed the game was slipping away and rallied to close the gap and level at 9-9. At this point, with Russkikh playing with renewed vigour at the net, the Russian/Indonesian combination slowly but surely started to pull away and at 18-12 had the set in their hands. Xie and Zhang pressurised their opponents at this point and clawed their way back into the set to get within 2 points of Russkikh/Limpele but the experience of Limpele was crucial as he steadied the ship to eventually take the set 21-18.

The final set went very much the way of Limpele/Russkikh as the Chinese had no real reply to the power of Russkikh at the net. Once Russkikh/Limpele got their noses in front they seized the opportunity and the Chinese had no plan B and ultimately no answer of consequence to bring to the table. Russkikh and Limpele wrapped up the set 21-17 after blowing three match points to book their second round ticket where they will meet the winners of the battle of Britain between Bankier/Blair and Lindley and Rayappan.

“Today we just went out to enjoy ourselves as we have only had one week's practise ahead of this tournament. We did well last week at the German Open so we knew we had a good game coming into this tournament but we still have a lot of improving to do. It will be at least a year before you see the best of us as it takes that long to get used to a new partner,” said Limpele after his first round win.

Elsewhere in the mixed doubles, Denmark can be happy this evening as both Nielsen/Bonde and Schjoett Kristensen/Delbo Larsen advanced to the second round.

Nathan Robertson was forced to retire earlier to day due to a bout of the flu, which means English number 1 pairing of Clark and Kellogg advance without having to make an appearance, much to the chagrin of the large home crowd that obviously turned up to see the ‘All England’ match at the All England.

YONEX ALL ENGLAND Day 2 – Brosolat dashes Scottish Hopes.

As the first round proper kicked off this morning in Birmingham it was Nanna Brosolat Jensen (WR 46)who had most reason to celebrate after beating Susan Hughes 99 (WR 27) from Scotland. The Dane showed no signs of a qualification hangover as she beat Hughes in three sets in one of the early matches on court. Meanwhile Marc Zwiebler, smarting a heavily bandaged thumb, showed that injury is no deterrent as he sent Boosak Ponsana home in three sets.
By Mark Phelan (Live) Photos. Badmintonphoto.com (Live in Birmingham)
Nanna Brosolat Jensentransferred her qualification form into main draw heroics as she came back from a set down to beat Susan Hughes in today’s morning session at The All England’s. Brosolat Jensen, who was a part of the Danish team who won the recent European team Championships, started slowly as she lost the opening set as Hughes dominated. Hughes was never headed in that opening salvo to take a one set lead 21-13.
Words of wisdom, after the first set, from Danish coach Lars Uhre obviously spurred Brosolat Jensen to lift her game as she took to the court for the second set. The game was finely balanced at 13-12 to the Dane but a run of 6 points without reply saw Brosolat Jensen storm into a commanding 19-21 lead and she maintained her composure to take the set 21-16.

The third set, and to coin a cliché, was literally a game of two halves. Hughes took the early initiative with some precise but aggressive play and headed her opponent 10-16. At this point the game turned on its head as Brosolat Jensen appeared to find an extra level and go on a run of 7 points without reply to leave Hughes shell-shocked. Brosolat Jensen managed to maintain her advantage, and although Hughes never gave in, the Dane managed to maintain her composure to take the set 21-17 and with it her place in tomorrow’s second round.

Meanwhile Marc Zwieblerentered the tournament with little expectations after being forced to pull out of his home Grand Prix last week with an injured thumb. The first set was a cautious affair and it was not until Ponsana (WR 12) went on a 7 point winning streak when leading 13-12 that the game opened up. Ponsana finished off the job efficiently to take the opening set 21-14.
In the second set both players once again exchanged blows early on in an effort to seize on any available weakness in their opponent. Ponsana appeared to be heading to victory when he opened out an 11-8 lead but Zwiebler immediately pounced back to win the next 7 points and before Ponsana had time to recover the German applied more pressure to take the set 21-15.
In the third set it was the German’s turn to take the upper hand in the early exchanges and worked his way tirelessly to a 15-10 lead. Ponsana, seeing his chance slipping away, regrouped to level the game at 15-15 and as bot (pjhoth players exchanged consecutive points. At this point it was anyone’s match as the large first round crowd watched intensively. Ponsana looked to have the match wrapped up at 21-19 but Zwiebler went on to win the next three points to take the match and set 22-20.
“After injuring my thumb I came her not expecting much so there was little or no pressure on me. In the first game I didn’t play well at all due to lack of practise but I sensed that he (Ponsana) was not playing that particularly well either. I had to adjust my game and be more patient which is hard for me as I’m a more of an attacking player and this worked as it helped me win that second set. In the third I still played a patient game and took my opportunities when they came my way. I am obviously delighted with this win as I really didn’t expect it. Tomorrow I will more than likely play Lee Choong Wei and once again I will go into that game with no pressure.” Said a delighted Zwiebler after his victory.
Elsewhere, in the morning session, two of the title favourites in the men’s singles had to take 3 sets to book their second round spots. Both Taufiq Hidayat and Chen Jin went to deciding rubbers in their first round games against Yu Hsin Hsieh and Kenichi Tago respectively. Part timer Jill Pittard of England was beaten in her first round singles match and there was delight when Jenny Wallwork and Gabby White finally put some smiles on the faces of the home crowds as they beat Malaysian pair Goh Liu Ying and Ng Hui Lin 22-20 in the deciding rubber.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

YONEX ALL ENGLAND Qualif – Tough battles already



The much anticipated greatest badminton show on earth kicked off this morning in Birmingham, England as the majority of the worlds best shuttlers descended on England’s second city with just one thing on their minds, to be crowned the All England Champion and in doing so write their name into the badminton history books. England got off to the worst possible start as they lost both their fancied men’s singles qualification hopefuls in Rajiv Ouseph and Carl Baxter but Jill Pittard gave the home crowd something to cheer about as she came through women’s singles qualification to join Elizabeth Cann in the main draw tomorrow.

By Mark Phelan (Live) Photos: badmintonphoto.com (Live in Birmingham)

Recently crowned English national champion, Rajiv Ouseph was the first major casualty on qualification day at the All England’s as he went down in three sets to Ireland’s Scott Evans. Evans, spurred on by a vocal Irish contingent in the crowd, played some very controlled and mature badminton to beat Ouseph in what was revenge for his defeat in the Irish International Final back in December 2008. Evans was unable to build on that win as he subsequently fell at the hands of India’s Anand Pawar in three sets. Pawar advances to the main draw where he will face off against Sony Dwi Kuncora of Indonesia tomorrow.

India had double reason to celebrate when Anup Sridhar completed the difficult task of beating two Malaysians to secure his first round ticket. France’s Brice Leverdez (photo) also had reason to joyful on his maiden trip to the All England’s. The French number one encounter traffic in the shape of Kestitus Navickas as the promising Lithuanian took the opening set to 18 but Leverdez fought back to take the match with a 21-17 21-17 in the second and third.
In the bottom half of qualification, China’s Gong Weijie overcame stiff opposition to claim a first round spot in a day that saw 10 of the 12 men’s singles matches go to three sets.

In the women’s singles four different nationalities qualified for tomorrow’s main draw with Europe claiming 3 of the four spots. Linda Zechiri of Bulgaria will take her spot as qualifier number 1 after two tough three set battles against England’s Nicola Cerfontyne and Hsiao Huan Chen of Taipai. The relief for the Bulgarian was audible as she screamed with joy on taking match point on court number four.
Nanna Brosolat Jensen of Denmark was rarely forced to shift out of second gear in qualification section number four as she swiftly ended the hopes of American Lauren Todt and English hope Rachel Howard both in straight sets. Jensen will now face Scotland’s Susan Hughes in tomorrow’s first round proper.


Jill Pittard (photo) was one of only a few rays of light on qualification day for England as the Land Rover engineer claimed her first round berth in easy fashion sending Anu Nieminen and Diana Dimova on early flights home. The fourth qualifier from the women’s singles was Korean shuttler Soo Young Jang. After beating Shao Chieh Cheng in the first round her qualification efforts were halved as fellow Korean Youn Joo Bae was forced to retire so was unable to take her place in the final of section three of qualification.

In the men’s doubles there was further disappointment for the home nation as none of the English pairs managed to light up the arena. It was China’a day in this discipline as the combinations of He Hanbin/Sun Junjie and Guo Zhendong/Xu Chen were effortless in their relentless march to the main draw. Joining them in tomorrow’s draw will be Japanese duo of Hayakawa/Kazuno after they beat Malaysian pair Abdul Latif/Chan in three sets 19-21 23-21 21-17. The final match on qualifying day witnessed Danish success as Mikkel Delbo Larsen and Rasmus Bonde dealt another blow to British hopes as they sent Andrew Bowman and Martyn Lewis packing in three.


Andrew Ellis and Sarah Bok (main article photo) finally gave the English fans something to get vocal about as, after being promoted from the reserves, they fought bravely to take a deserved place in the first round proper of the mixed doubles tomorrow. The combination of Overzier/Schoettler were intent on making life hard for themselves as they lost the first set to 8 against Maz Agathangelou and Robin Midleton. In typical German style they fought back and managed to close out the game in three as they took the second and third sets 22-20 24-22 in a match that had the majority of the crowd transfixed and sometimes bemused.

The women’s doubles qualification saw all 4 remaining pairs promoted to the main draw which means for the first time in recent super series history there will be a full complement of 32 pairs taking to the courts in the first round which is sure to please the organisers. Cast your mind back to the China open where this particular competition had pairs get free rides right through to the quarter finals.

Fancied pair Koo-Tan can’t afford to rest on their laurels

KUALA LUMPUR: One of the early men’s doubles favourites Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong cannot afford to take forty winks in the All-England even in the absence of two key pairs.

A number of scratch combinations and rising young pairs will be lurking dangerously to scalp them in Birmingham.

On Monday, the organisers confirmed the withdrawal of the Olympic and world champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia due to the former’s knee injury.

The Indonesian top seeds have been replaced by qualifiers Kasper Faust Henriksen-Christian John Skovgaard in the main draw.

The men’s doubles event had also lost some of its glitter earlier when South Koreans Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung announced that they will not defend the title because of the latter’s obligation to serve under the country’s military programme.

In their absence, 2007 champions Kien Keat-Boon Heong and 2005 winners Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China will start as favourites.

Denmark will have two strong pairs — second seeds Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen and Mathias Boe-Carsten Morgensen — in the pack to challenge for the title.

The others expected to give a good account of themselves are Malaysia’s Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and England’s Anthony Clark-Nathan Robertson.

But one cannot underestimate the scratch partnerships of Yong-dae-Shin Baek-cheol and Indonesians Candra Wijaya-Joko Riyadi.

Yong-dae-Baek-cheol in winning the German Open last Sunday showed that they have the ability to spike the early favourites.

Candra-Joko are playing in their first international tournament and Indonesia can count on the experience of the former to make the pair strong challengers.

In the Malaysian Open in January, Candra teamed up with Luluk Hadiyanto for the first time and they reached the quarter-finals.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong are expected to meet Candra-Joko in the second round.

Said Kien Keat: “It will not be easy to play against a pair we have not played against before. But we are well prepared and it is our hope to do well in our third outing in the All-England.”

Indonesia will also be banking on two younger pairs — Mohd Ahsan-Bona Septano and Yonathan Suryatama Dasuki-Rian Sukmawan — to ruffle some feathers.

The Koreans, in a bid to add more depth to the men’s doubles, have in the competition three other upcoming pairs — Han Sang-hoon-Hwang Ji-man, Cho Gun-woo-Ko Sung-hyun and Kwon Yi-goo-Yoo Yeon-seong.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Maria to skip All England due to injury

Following the withdrawal of men's doubles pair Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan, women's singles shuttler Maria Kristin Yulianti has also decided to skip the All England Super Series due to injury.

"Maria will not go to this year's event. Her *right* knee injury has prevented her from playing," team manager Lilik Sudarwati said Wednesday on the sideline of the national squad's farewell ceremony at the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) training camp in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

The squad will depart for Birmingham on Friday. The All England, the world's oldest badminton tournament, will take place from March 3 to 8.

Maria, the 2008 Olympics bronze medallist, complained of a nagging pain in her right knee during training on Feb. 19. The pain subsided after intensive medical observation, but returned on Wednesday.

Earlier, Kido and Hendra, the 2008 Olympics gold medallists and world No. 2, pulled out of the tournament after Kido suffered a left knee injury.

With three of its top shuttlers out, Indonesia still has three men's doubles pairs (Yonatan Suryatama Dasuki/Rian Sukmana, Bona Septano/Mohammad Ahsan and Joko Riyadi/Candra Wijaya) and two women's singles players (Pia Zebadiah Bernadet and Adrianti Firdasari) for the tournament.

PBSI chairman Djoko Santoso expressed hope the national squad would perform its best.

"Just stay focused and play. I will be responsibility to the government and the public should we lose. But if we win, it will be the result of everyone's hard work," he said.

He added he had high hopes in the country's mixed doubles pair, world No. 1 and 2008 Olympics silver medallists Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir, saying, "I also hope we reach the final in the men's singles and women's doubles."

Two-time world champion Lilyana said she would not let the high expectations pressure her.

"I will let the game flow and stay focused in each match. It's what we always do at every tournament, especially in a major like the All England," she said.

During their career, Lilyana and Nova have reached two semifinals and one final at the 110-year-old All England.

In the men's singles, Indonesia will rely on world No. 5 Sony Dwi Kuncoro, world No. 7 Taufik Hidayat, world No. 10 Simon Santoso and unseeded Tommy Sugiarto. It will be the first campaign for Taufik, the 2004 Olympic champion, after he resigned from the national training camp last month.

World No. 8 women's doubles pair Shendy Puspa Irawati/Meiliana Jauhari and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari/Greysia Polii will also be competing at the tournament.

Clark & Kellogg to face Robertson & Wallwork in Yonex All England draw

THE luck of the draw deserted England’s two big hopes for the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham from February March 3-8.
THE luck of the draw deserted England’s two big hopes for the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham from February March 3-8.

Just two days after helping Team England win the silver medal at the European Team Championship at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England’s European champions and fourth seeds Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg, the 2007 runners-up, were drawn against their team-mates, 2005 champion Nathan Robertson and new partner Jenny Wallwork, in the first round of the mixed doubles.

And the winners could face another England pair in teenage stars Chris Adcock and Gabby White in the second round.

On top of that Anglo-Scottish pair Robert Blair and Imogen Bankier, who are the seventh seeds, must take on England’s world No 16 pair David Lindley and Suzanne Rayappan in the first round.

But it wasn’t only England who were out of luck. Three-times champion Lin Dan is on course to meet his team-mate Bao Chunlai in the second round of the men’s singles if the world and Olympic champion overcomes a qualifier and Bao beats Dutchman Eric Pang in the opening round of the men’s singles. China’s third seed Chen Jin, who beat Lin Dan in last year’s final, starts his title defence against Japan’s Kenichi Tago.

Andrew Smith, the hero of England’s valiant bid to beat Denmark on Sunday with his win over world No. 6 Joachim Persson, is the only home player in the main draw of the men’s singles and he faces India’s Chetan Anand in the first round.

Two-time English National champion Rajiv Ouseph and runner-up Carl Baxter both have to qualify. Ouseph faces Ireland’s Scott Evans while Baxter meets India’s Anand Pawar, who beat him in the Bank of Scotland quarter-finals in Novermber before Ouseph defeated the Indian player in the final.

In the women’s singles Jersey’s Elizabeth Cann is the only English player in the main draw and she faces a tough opener against seventh seed Wang Lin of China. Scotland’s Commonwealth bronze medallist Susan Hughes will face a qualifier. English National champion Jill Pittard meets Finland’s third qualifying seed Anu Nieminen in the first round of qualifying.

In the men’s doubles Clark and Robertson are seeded eighth and face a tricky opener against Korea’s Han Sang Hoon and Hwang Ji Man. England have three other pairs in the main draw with Chris Adcock and Robert Blair in the same quarter as Clark and Robertson. Adock and Blair face Simon Mollyhus and Anders Kristiansen of Denmark in their opening match.

Lindley and Chris Langridge will fancy their chances against Dutch pair Jorrit De Ruiter and Jurgen Wouters but Andrew Eidestedt and Andrew Ellis face a tough time against Malaysian third seeds Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong, the 2007 champions.

In the women’s doubles Wallwork and Gabby White face Malaysians Goh Liu Ying and Ng Hui Lin while England also have a second pair through to the main draw in Heather Olver and Samantha Ward, who take on Japan’s Fujii Mizuki and Reika Kakiiwa.

The entry for the 99th Yonex All England Open championship is one of the strongest on record and tournament director Darren Parks is urging fans to book early. “We have a terrific entry,” he said. “It is like a Who’s Who of current world stars.”

Tickets are available from www.theticketfactory.com or call 0844 444 9994. Don’t forget tickets are available for the qualifying rounds on Tuesday March 3 as well as the main draw.

(Source: Badmintonengland.co.uk)

YONEX ALL ENGLAND Preview - All the Best to Birmingham


The world of badminton is in the midst of the perennial big awards season where winners’ names become etched in hallowed history and the memories of winning are more special than anywhere else for competitor and spectator. For music, it was the Grammies 10 days ago; for the movies, it's the Oscars this weekend; and in badminton, it is the 2009 Yonex All England Badminton Championships, which begin on March 3 in Birmingham.

By Aaron Wong, Badzine Correspondent. Photos: Badmintonphoto (archives)
First Impressions

The draw is overflowing, unlike the most recent Super Series in Korea. There will be several high profile casualties in the opening rounds: namely Peter Gade or Simon Santoso, Lin Dan or Bao Chunlai, and Saina Nehwal or Pi Hongyan.

The red army is back! Their racquets will have something to say about a new world order in which exists a Danish world #1 in women’s singles, and Taiwanese as women’s doubles world #1. And, Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng are reunited in men’s doubles after successfully playing in new partnerships at their last Super Series outings.

China's women’s singles line up demonstrates that their regeneration of players program in this category is a success as all their youngsters are in the main draw and dark horses no less. The large cast from each badminton powerhouse nation shows their succession plans are underway too.

India, a second-tier badminton nation, have begun to focus their energies in recent months and, thus, produced players that appear in the main draw in all except men’s doubles in the very year that they will host the World Championships in Hyderabad. It is an achievement worth mentioning. It is worrying that their top singles talents Chetan Anand, for men's, and Saina Nehwal, for women's, will arrive at the All England having pulled out of their national championships owing to injury.


Men’s Singles: Not Unable to Fulfill Vow

Fresh lofty vows need to be proclaimed now that the Olympics are spoken for. In badminton, two vows which grow more famous as they do longstanding: Peter Gade wants to be World Champion; and Taufik Hidayat's untiring desire for an All England crown, the solitary major title missing on his shelf.

"This year, I plan to play in at least eight of the 10 Super Series events. Winning the All England and Swiss Super Series will definitely be my short-term goals," the Indonesian told the Jakarta Post last month.

So can Hidayat do it this time? The men’s singles draw is the toughest so far this year. The three Indonesians are in the same half of the draw along with Peter Gade and world #1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia. The three top Chinese (all former world #1’s) feature in the bottom half and will cancel one another out as early as the second round and ultimately by the semi-finals, which are odds on to be Lin Dan, Olympic champion, versus Chen Jin, the defending champion and 3rd seed.

Desire is what humans need to achieve great things. Never mind so much that Hidayat arrives with this as his first tournament for 2009, having had 2 months to mend an injured wrist, and once again after recently going independent from his National Federation PBSI. The answer is that, given his quality in the last year, he is not unable to reach the final. The bigger question is would a Taufik Hidayat final be third time lucky? A decade of experience chalked up since his first All England final and his pent-up desire ought to make a difference.


Women’s Singles - When the Unstoppable Spear Meets the Unbreakable Shield

Should Tine Rasmussen, the defending champion and world #1, retain her title it would be 3 Super Series victories in row in 2009. In fact, three former queens of the All England court will do battle including Zhou Mi (photo, right) of Hong Kong, and three-time champion Xie Xingfang leads 5 comrades into battle.

What happens when an Asian Champion meets (Jiang Yanjiao) a World Champion (Zhu Lin) in the first round? Every one of the Chinese ladies is highly decorated in her own right and, therefore, a big occasion player. Any one of them is capable of toppling her teammate. In the aftermath of the Olympics, China has pitted its entire premier team in the same event to assess current potential. In light of this, the ladies are aware that this is a fresh test to prove their worth and previous accolades or legacy do not count. All six of them walking away without the prize would definitely be something for the rest of us to talk about.

It is tough to pick a race winner this early because we have not seen these Chinese players in action for months. Based on the draw, Xie has a better than even chance but she is prone to not finding her rhythm in the middle of a competition. Look out for the young, vibrant and tall Wang Lin as the real threat to Rasmussen in the top quarter of the draw.


Men’s Doubles: Mix and Match

It is a pity that the current world #1’s Jung Jae Sung / Lee Yong Dae have no opportunity to consolidate their ranking or defend their title as Jung has compulsory military service. The men’s doubles has been won by a different pair every other year this decade and so it will be once more. The seeded players are set to make the greatest impact. The exciting pair on the rise are Korea Open winners Mathias Boe / Carsten Mogensen as well as the rejuvenated Koo Kien Keat / Tan Boon Heong combination from Malaysia.

Lee Yong Dae will partner Shin Baek Cheol in a partnership of World Junior Champions from 2006 and 2007 that will appear as the 6th seeds. The trend of not having your usual partner continues with Tony Gunawan and Howard Bach, former World Champions, reteaming. Gunawan's best friend Candra Wijaya teams with Joko Riyadi. Logic prevails and the All England is to be commended for its sensible seeding policy. It wasn't that many years ago when top ten players who were split into new pairings and left unseeded still made it to the semis and finals.




Women’s Doubles: Rematch?

The most celebrated figure this century at the All England is missing. Gao Ling, the 6-time women’s doubles champion and 4-time mixed doubles champion, is currently an independent player and the national team takes priority at major tournaments. Most of us would trade her recent Malaysia and Korea SS appearances for an All England one.

The women’s doubles final could be a rematch of last year's All England (or the Olympic Final) as Lee Kyung Won / Lee Hyo Jung and Du Jing / Yu Yang are in either half of the draw. Both pairs are well rehearsed for long enough and are the outstanding ones still playing together at this level. The top Malaysians Chin Eei Hui / Wong Pei Tty , who held the world #1 spot briefly at the beginning of the year, are sobre in their self assessment.

"We are still not the top pair, as Du Jing / Yu Yang and other Chinese pairs haven't been regularly playing on the international circuit," Eei Hui told the New Straits Times. "Our aim is to do better when the top pairs from China are playing as this is where our ability will be gauged."


Mixed Doubles: The New Frontier

In mixed doubles, 5 local pairs meet early on and Donna Kellogg/Anthony Clark should be one of the pairs to emerge from the second round scrum. Kamilla Rytter Juhl / Thomas Laybourn are on the ascent in terms of confidence and will be looking to translate the feeling into their first Super Series tournament in a while after clinching the Super Series finals.

Malaysian level doubles specialists have earmarked mixed doubles as an untapped market for their talents. Three pairs are in qualification including Wong Pei Tty / Mohd Fairuzizuan, whilst Ng Hui Lin / Koo Kien Keat start in the main field. It will be interesting to see where this initiative leads. The surprise is seeing former men’s doubles All England winner Halim Haryanto popping up in a different event after years away from major tournaments, and now representing the USA instead of Indonesia.

Notable Absences

Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae, MD world #1, Korea.
Wang Chen, WS, world #4, Hong Kong.
Vita Marissa, WD world#5 & MX. Indonesia.
Park Sung Hwan, MS world #8. Korea.
Wong Mew Choo, WS world #12. Malaysia.
Nguyen Tien Minh, MS world #15. Vietnam.
Peter Mikkelsen, MS. Denmark. Recent nationals finalist
Wang Chen, WS. Hong Kong. Recent SS Masters finalist.


The All England Attraction

The break from the Chinese players and their imminent return helps the rest of the field appreciate the space in the sport filled by them. This is looking at the players purely as talented individuals or names that we miss rather than as China. The thing about competition is you want to be competitive. Professional sportspeople embrace competition and variety, and opponents who bring out the best in them. It benefits all concerned that all the top players can participate.

The All England is the brightest (Super Series) spot on the badminton calendar and it is excellent there has been unanimous agreement by way of turn out.