Men's Singles
Chen Hong (CHN) vs Chen Yu (CHN)

Women's Singles
Zhang Ning (CHN) vs Zhou Mi (CHN)

Men's Doubles
Lars Paake/Jonas Rasmussen(DEN) vs Martin Lundgaard Hansen/Jens Eriksen (DEN)

Women's Doubles
Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen (CHN) vs Gao Ling/Huang Sui (CHN)

Mixed Doubles
Ra Kyeung Min/Kim Dong Moon (KOR) vs Zheng Bo/Zhang Jiewen (CHN)

Men's Singles
Chen Hong (CHN) vs Chen Yu (CHN)
I think the seeding will be correct this time.

Women's Singles
Zhang Ning (CHN) vs Zhou Mi (CHN)
Zhang Ning wins. There seems to be no stopping her now. But it seems she had a taxing match against Camilla, so maybe there's an opening for Zhou Mi...

Men's Doubles
Lars Paake/Jonas Rasmussen(DEN) vs Martin Lundgaard Hansen/Jens Eriksen (DEN)
Wow. If asked a year ago, I would have had little doubt that Eriksen/Lundgaard would win comfortably, but now... I just don't know. These pairs know each other so well. But it was a long time since Jens Eriksen displayed his usual sharpness, whereas Jonas & Lars seem to be on a roll these days... My guess is another BF win! :D

Women's Doubles
Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen (CHN) vs Gao Ling/Huang Sui (CHN)
Gao Ling/Huang Sui of course.

Mixed Doubles
Ra Kyeung Min/Kim Dong Moon (KOR) vs Zheng Bo/Zhang Jiewen (CHN)
We all know where this one is going...

At a glance, a set of very predictable finals, except perhaps for the MD. But I won't mind if I'm proven wrong!

i was there today..... loh told me 4 guys met up and took a pic with JR as well..... i couldnt join em.. anyway it was a good SF.. Lee Hyun wasnt at his best and it was regretful that Lin Dan lost his match.. he was very deceptive.

Arghhh.... to bad that Lin Dan lost!:(
Anyway, Chen Hong is very determined to prove that he is a worthy world no. 1. :)

For tomorrow's final, agree with Mag's prediction.:)

I'm afraid that tomorrow's final may prove to be a rather less interesting affair!

Agree with Loh totally that the final will be rather anti-climax. 4 out of 5 events are compatriot fight. Not that they will not go all out but somehow the excitement is absent in such "family fights". Furthermore the outcome of the 5th event is more or less a predictable Korean victory. May consider not turning up at all.

Why's nobody here happy there's 3 all-China affairs? I'm quite excited personally. And, don't just rub off Zheng/Zhang like they're school kids. Nobody thought Lars/Jonas were gonna take WC and look what happened?

I'm hoping for 4 medals.

This sort of domincance is not really good for the long term prospects of the game. The rest of the countries, wake up please!!

Dunno about you people but here's what I'm going to do this afternoon :


Watch Kim and Ra display their unique racquet skills, then watch Zhang

Ning display her graceful courtcraft, then watch chen Hong slug it out with a very

tricky and stubborn Chen Yu, then go off to sleep during ladies and men's doubles.

Originally posted by Hugo
Why's nobody here happy there's 3 all-China affairs? I'm quite excited personally. And, don't just rub off Zheng/Zhang like they're school kids. Nobody thought Lars/Jonas were gonna take WC and look what happened?

I'm hoping for 4 medals.

I think it had been debated before although I don't remember which thread about same nationals fighting same nationals on badminton. There's that extra 'oomph' or atmosphere that is simply not there. Imagine the WC2003 being played by Chn vs Chn in men's singles, it'll be like watching a Chinese provincial event. The extra cocktail is simply not as strong.

Originally posted by wilfredlgf
I think it had been debated before although I don't remember which thread about same nationals fighting same nationals on badminton. There's that extra 'oomph' or atmosphere that is simply not there. Imagine the WC2003 being played by Chn vs Chn in men's singles, it'll be like watching a Chinese provincial event. The extra cocktail is simply not as strong.

Yes, but for Chinese nationalists like me, all Chinese finals are what I dream of. Maybe some neutrals like you may not find that enjoyable.:D Let me put it this way, would you want an All-Malaysian finals in an event?

To be honest, no. I'd prefer a China vs Malaysia or a China vs Indonesia, or an Indonesia vs Malaysia (potential pressure cooker, this one, esp if played at Istora Senayan. Funny, there seems to be more Indonesian supporters in Malaysia than Malaysians at the stadiums when meetings of such happen). I like to see more of a variety than an 'all-red' exhibition match. It would be nice to see both Malaysians play in the finals, but somehow I will still feel as if it could be more exciting if both teams were fighting for different countries.

Originally posted by wl2172
This sort of domincance is not really good for the long term prospects of the game. The rest of the countries, wake up please!!

The problem is, whether other nations "want to" catch up or not. Surely, Chinese has a larger population base, which might be "easier" to get a good pool of prospects. However, the difference is not like hell and heaven. If other nations can check their system, getting better training method, I am sure the gap will be smaller.

Look at basketball. In 1992, US Dream Team (by NBA players) were simply killing every other nation by 50+ points in every single match besides the final. How many ppl can ever think 10 yrs later, Dream Team 6 can lose 4 games, and being placed #6 in WC? It was a sign about other nations are "catching up" in this sport.

Therefore, everythign is possible. Just a matter how much effort we put into it.

Originally posted by wilfredlgf
but somehow I will still feel as if it could be more exciting if both teams were fighting for different countries.

I agree. If the 2 finalist are close in skill level, and from different nations, then, there could be more "mystery" involved.

However, I would rather see 2 truely skillful players fighting for the title, rather than a more 1-side match, just to match up the different nationalities. I am not saying all other nations players are not as good as chinese players, just talking about a theory in general.

Imagine a Kim-Ha vs Candra-Sigit in a doubles finals compared to Cai-Fu vs Sang-Zheng.

Another example will be an on form Xia Xuanze going up against a red-hot-with-revenge-and-anger Taufik, compared to a Bao Chunlai vs Chen Hong finals.

Can you feel the difference in anticipation when you see this?

I'm not saying that a Cai-Fu vs Sang Zheng or Bao-Chen finals is anything but exciting, but if you compare the ties, you can see that there is that extra 'something' which is hard to describe.

I grew up watching mostly doubles games and I really relish games such as Razif/Jalani vs Hartono/Gunawan or a Li Yongbo/Tian Bingyi vs Park Joo Bong/Kim Moon Soo tie as all are of rather different strengths and styles. (But then again, Park-Kim won most of the matches anyway...)

We were spoilt for choice, then. :D

Thus you see why the Thomas Cup is such an exciting event as each nation is figthing for national honours with supporters of different countries cheering and shouting their hearts out.

I can still remember the atmosphere at Stadium Negara when Malaysia took on Indonesia at the 1992 finals - it was simply amazing. The whole country was up in euphoria while a very audible Indonesian group of supporters added colour to the event.

And you noticed that during WC2003 finals when WCH played XXZ, the atmosphere was almost the same, the excitement really there.

ok. back to the final itself.

the news is trickling in ...

Zhang Ning bt Zhou Mi 11-0 11-8

amazing. Zhang Ning should start getting nickname for the ability to give her opponent ducks during matches

Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen bt. Gao Ling/Huang Sui 17-16 / 15-7

finally Gao/Huang are no longer the big sisters in the team. i think Yang/Zhang should be starting to pick up. i wonder if Zhang has enough energy left to face Kim/Ra later on in the day.....

Chen Hong has done it again.

The winners are:

MS - Chen Hong
MD - Jens/Martin
WS - Zhang Ning
WD - Yang/Zhang
XD - Kim/Ra

Originally posted by kwun
ok. back to the final itself.

the news is trickling in ...

Zhang Ning bt Zhou Mi 11-0 11-8

amazing. Zhang Ning should start getting nickname for the ability to give her opponent ducks during matches

Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen bt. Gao Ling/Huang Sui 17-16 / 15-7

finally Gao/Huang are no longer the big sisters in the team. i think Yang/Zhang should be starting to pick up. i wonder if Zhang has enough energy left to face Kim/Ra later on in the day.....

Zhang Ning was awesome, imagine she was left out in 2002 Uber Cup.

Either as suspected Chinas ladies are at an all time low in singles, or she must have

some good coaching.

Kim and Ra were in total control esp exploiting a very tired Zhang. Zheng Bo

could make a very good mixed player but a long way from Kim.

Kim/Ra still a few levels above the rest. Way too good and consistent.

Men's Singles
Chen Hong (CHN) vs Chen Yu (CHN)
- Chen vs Chen. The one with the reddest of ambitions won this. He is still #1.

Women's Singles
Zhang Ning (CHN) vs Zhou Mi (CHN)
- Again, zhang Ning shows devastating form. Is she on turtle blood diet or what? 11:0!! This would only mean that either Zhou Mi needs more training or Zhang Ning is waaaaaaay too good.

Men's Doubles
Lars Paake/Jonas Rasmussen(DEN) vs Martin Lundgaard Hansen/Jens Eriksen (DEN)
- Surprise surprise. A WC won't make you an AutoChampion.

Women's Doubles
Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen (CHN) vs Gao Ling/Huang Sui (CHN)
- Yeap, as said, Gao-Huang no more the big sisters here. But then again, I won't know better.

Mixed Doubles
Ra Kyeung Min/Kim Dong Moon (KOR) vs Zheng Bo/Zhang Jiewen (CHN)

- Ra/Kim are perhaps on a different plane compared to the current players in the world. I read about 44 straight wins since last year somewhere here or on the papers and their impressive run continues. Know of any mixed doubles pair of the past who are as good? I remember Park and his lady partner, another Korean pair I think.

Originally posted by wilfredlgf

- Ra/Kim are perhaps on a different plane compared to the current players in the world. I read about 44 straight wins since last year somewhere here or on the papers and their impressive run continues. Know of any mixed doubles pair of the past who are as good? I remember Park and his lady partner, another Korean pair I think. [/B]

Laf I'm shocked most people don't realise it's the same Ra ;)

I think two upsets must be a great surprise at the S'pore Open Finals!

First Upset: LD - Yang Wei & Zhang Jiewen defeated strong favourites Gao Ling & Huang Sui in 3 hotly contested games!

Second Upset: Current MD WC Champs Lars Paaske & Jonas Rasmussen lost to No. 1 seed countrymen, Martin Lundgaard Hansen & Jens Eriksen tamely in straight games!

And surprise, surprise - Chen Yu stretched Chen Hong to the rubber before succumbing, having won the first game confidently.

I thought the Chinese compatriots will relax but they gave us a splendid show by going all out as exhibited in the MS and LD matches. Even Zhou Mi tried very hard in the second game to take it away from Zhang Ning, but the latter proved just too strong!

No more giving away the second game if one's compatriot wins the first as they did in the WC at Birmingham. Maybe the prize-money is too attractive to be given away just like that! And it made the S'pore Open all that more exciting!

Originally posted by Loh

No more giving away the second game if one's compatriot wins the first as they did in the WC at Birmingham. Maybe the prize-money is too attractive to be given away just like that! And it made the S'pore Open all that more exciting!

I think the rule doesn't apply to finals, if you both make the final it's may the best person/team win.

Originally posted by Pecheur
I think the rule doesn't apply to finals, if you both make the final it's may the best person/team win.

Yeah, it does not apply once the event is 100% dominated.
So, if Chen Hong, Bao CL, Lin Dan and Chen Yu made it to an all-Chinese semis, LiYB will likely keep his bloody mouth shut!:p

anyone have the scores for all the finals?

Zhang Ning playing so well lately has probably something to do with confidence, I think. Her skills are very very good but somehow, I remember she was not strong physically. But good to see her playing so well now.

Not strong? She can pack a very hard smash. probably hardest

among current ladies singles. Camilla Martin would have swept a lot of titles

if Zhang Ning was not in her way.

Blckknight

S'pore Open 2003 Finals Results:

MS - Chen Hong bt Chen Yu: 11-15, 15-8, 15-4

MD - Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen bt Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen: 15-9, 15-10

WS - Zhang Ning bt Zhou Mi: 11-0, 11-8

WD - Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen bt Gwo Ling/Huang Sui: 17-16, 15-7

XD - Kim Dong Moon/Ra Kyung Min bt Zheng Bo/Zhang Jiewen: 15-5, 15-9

Blckknight

S'pore Open 2003 Finals Results:

MS - Chen Hong bt Chen Yu: 11-15, 15-8, 15-4

MD - Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen bt Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen: 15-9, 15-10

WS - Zhang Ning bt Zhou Mi: 11-0, 11-8

WD - Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen bt Gwo Ling/Huang Sui: 17-16, 15-7

XD - Kim Dong Moon/Ra Kyung Min bt Zheng Bo/Zhang Jiewen: 15-5, 15-9

Well Bbn I haven't seen Zhang Ning play for quite some time. I remember her decisive game against Mia in the Uber Cup. Mia was then 14 and I believe Zhang was 18. At that time Mia strokes looked more powerful and I remember Zhang was simply overpowered.

Don't remember which games I watched her later, my memory is she had good strokes and placement but her smashes were not that powerful - that is compared with others. But this is a few years back. And honestly, would not have expected her to last this long in the national team. Now, looking forward to get a WC video of Zhang Ning playing.

To me, though may not be precise, the hardest lady smash that I've seen in singles, is from Kristen Larsen of Denmark.

I must admit I was greatly impressed by Zhang Ning's performance at the recent WC and here at the S'pore Open.

She must be at her peak condition now, despite getting older and nearing 30, just like Camilla Martin, and to think that she almost gave up about a year or two ago, I think. She has been quite consistent of late and she displayed superior fitness and skills, agility, power, composure and the will to win in her recent tournament successes. I would think she is a rung above all the other professionals at the present moment. She was merciless at times not even giving away a single point in a game to such illustrious competitors like Camilla and Zhou Mi. This is what a champion is made of!

Can she maintain her form? Only time will tell, otherwise the thought of retirement will once again cross her mind. Injury at the wrong time could spell disaster as it did to Xia Xuanze, Peter Gade and even Chen Hong.

It would be a great pity if it ever happens. She is good for an Olympic gold at Athens!

Originally posted by Pecheur
Laf I'm shocked most people don't realise it's the same Ra ;)

Park Joo Bong was partnering Chung Myung Hee originally. Ra Kyung Min used to be an LS player and won the Singapore Open at the age of 18 back in 1994! She only started playing in doubles around 95 (?) and won the Olympic silver medal with a back-from-retirement Park one year later.

Anyway, for all the respect I have for Kim/Ra, I must admit XD is getting pretty boring because they ALWAYS win. Thought Zhang Jun and Gao Ling would have given them a better fight in the quarters and felt largely relieved but a little disappointed when the Koreans took it so easily.

Originally posted by Adel
Thought Zhang Jun and Gao Ling would have given them a better fight in the quarters and felt largely relieved but a little disappointed when the Koreans took it so easily.
Could it be possible that Zhang and Gao can only put up a great fight with Kim/Ra only when Kim is tired from playing both doubles and mixed doubles?