who will win Men's singles Gold ? [Archive] - Badminton Central Discussion Forums

peace

06-03-2004, 06:40 AM

studsgaard

06-03-2004, 02:51 PM

i personaly hope that Peter Gade winns.
But i know that Lin Dan can beat him, unless Peter Gade gets better..!!
Good luck too them both :)

SmashingBird

06-03-2004, 03:22 PM

Hehehe.... My favourite is just LIN DAN. I hope that he can play without any nervous and pressure. But I'm sure enough that he can play well, eventhough he has a big pressure as a number one world player. It has been proven in the last THOMAS CUP FINAL. As the first single, he has a big pressure that he must win the match against everyone. But all of you can see that he played very well, noone can beat him at that time, even Sony Dwi Kuncoro or Peter Gade, two men that I think play well too against Lin Dan. But what happened ? LIN DAN can beat them straight set, right ? It means that LIN DAN has a very good mental toughness. I think at THOMAS CUP FINAL, he would be the second general in Chinese team (the first of course is LI YONGBO).

Yeah... it's really amazing. Although he is still young (20 years if i'm not wrong), he has everything (power, techniques, good defend, mental toughness, etc.) which are the characters of the champion.

The history of the olympics (in MEN SINGLES) said that the player who won the gold was commonly the player without good achievements during the year around olympics. Ya.. I agree. Alan Budikusuma played badly in Thomas Cup Final 1992 in Kualalumpur, Poul Erik Hoyer Larsen and Ji Xinpeng are not stable player in yearly tournaments. But what did they get ? GOLD MEDAL. I think the same thing can be happened in Athens too. But I hope whatever happen, Chinese will win the gold. Wo Ai Zhong Guo. :) :)

Although the history is like above, but I myself hope that LIN DAN will make a new history, it means that altough he has a very very good achievements in the last one year, especially in 2004, he will never be beaten. LIN DAN will win the gold. That's my hope. So, my vote is for LIN DAN.

Other Chinese player will have chances too, like Bao Chunlai, Xia Xuanze, Chen Hong. I don't know who will join LIN DAN in the next olympics. BUt if all go normally, LIN DAN will be the CHAMPION. :)

Wo Ai Zhong Guo too but I hope Lin Dan loses because he is too damn cocky, arrogant, ugly and shows absolutely no signs of sportsmanship. If there were ever a movie made out of badminton, Lin Dan would be the leading antagonist. I do hope Lin Dan makes it to the final and play Taufik which would be very interesting. Lin Dan is a super fast and powerful player that relies on his physical attributes more than his skills, on the other hand, we have Taufik who is a calm, smooth player who have incridible skills and special moves. That would be a very interesting on court encounter. While Lin Dan likes to play mind games and pull out all sorts of retarded psychological techniques, while Taufik is very calm and shows sportsmanship most of the time, he can be very rude to if he has to; recall the TC2002 battle with Tsang, Taufik almost lost it there and walk off the court. He also changed shuttles without asking his opponent or the umpire. Now Lin Dan likes to reject his opponent from changing the shuttle, if he does it a few times to Taufik, I bet Taufik wont even ask him and just change the shuttle himself.

wilfredlgf

06-03-2004, 07:13 PM

IMHO Lin Dan needs to lose some matches and tournaments now, to ensure that he doesn't lose that passion and drive to win matches. Sounds weird? I quite don't think so. To keep winning too much at such an early age may burn him out too soon, and end up without anything much to play for but for his own pleasure when he hits 'peak' in age ie 24 - 26. It is easier to know that you can continue to go up, but it's harder to stay up there knowing that you can't go further and the only other way is going down.

Look at Gong. She was the undisputed queen for a long long time, #1 without too much of a challenge, beaten only ocassionally by her compatriot as well as a few other ladies on the world circuit. Saw what happened during the last TC vs Korea? Jun Jae-Youn, if not for her inexperience in comparison to Gong, could have done a Ra 2002. That I think is a problem with focus.

They are professionals, no doubt and are no doubt not machines too. Focus and effort can change with personality, environmental changes, situations in and around etc. Lin is only 20. He has yet to taste the true realities of world badminton -> you can fly like a bird at one moment, and crash to the ground bleeding the next.

Thus, Lin Dan not winning will have some positive to him : it lets him know that it is not hard to win, but harder not to lose.

This psychological theory on sports mentality is not sponsored by any sports institute. :D

rwijaja

06-03-2004, 07:17 PM

My vote goes to Sony.
I have just seen how he demolished Peter Gade on Thomas Cup Semi Final.
He played very smart, although his net shots can still be improved.
He can play slow or fast, and very comfortable on playing rally, good stamina.

I have also seen Lin Dan vs Hun Il, and how in the first set Hun Il dominated Lin Dan by not rushing, but he lost focus... sigh... and lost the set

It will be different story if it was Sony. BTW have Sony and Lin Dan met
previously? and what's the score between them?

Taufik in my opinion has lost stamina, concentration and hunger to win.
I hope he does not end up like Anna Kournikova, famous but never win.

kwun

06-04-2004, 02:48 AM

Lin Dan is a slow starter, on every match he played in the TC and many previous matches, he takes around 1/2 game to get up to speed.

Lin and Sony last played in the TC group match this year. Lin beat Sony 17-16 15-3

jkusmanto

06-04-2004, 04:28 AM

If we look at the last events, Lin Dan is the top favorite for the gold.
The question is : Can he makes it ?
In my opinion, there are 4 players who have a chance to get a gold.
They are : Lin Dan, Peter Gade, Taufik and Sony.
I hope they will go to semi final. But all of these depend on the loting.

anakin

06-04-2004, 01:24 PM

Chen Hong will conquer all!! R-up will be either WongCH/Sony/Gade, in that order.

Sorry HongHong, I expect Lin Dan's form to drop slightly. He's been on top form for so long. Whatever goes up must come down. But if he wins, he's not human, he's better than superman. This is based on previous winners Alan Budi Kusuma, PEH Larsen & Ji Xinpeng, all of whom were not yet in top form in 1992, 1996 and 2000 Thomas Cup respectively.
Wow! What a theory... "Whatever goes up must come down." But how about "Whatever goes up will go even higher..." or "Whatever comes down will down even lower..." Think about these possibilities. :rolleyes:

anakin

06-04-2004, 01:30 PM

Provided that Lin Dan meets foreign opponents, that is. If he meets his own countryman, I think he'll lose (either due to political pressure or due to his countrymen knew how to beat him).
Ehm.......

he'll lose due to political pressure...... I think not so soon as he's current world no 1.

he'll lose due to his countrymen knew how to beat him...... How about he'll win because he knows how to beat his countrymen... I think mine sound more logical becoz...... again.... he's current world no 1. :D

baihaki_as

06-09-2004, 09:01 AM

i choose taufik hidayat he will won the olympic medal, now he has spirit to prove he is the best player in Indonesia, hidup TAUFIK !!!

daniel thaysen

06-09-2004, 09:07 AM

I think it will be Gade vs. Lin Dan in the final!!!

Gade supporter

06-10-2004, 01:48 PM

I think it will be Gade vs. Lin Dan in the final!!!
You cant predict a final when you havent got the draw yet!

anakin

06-10-2004, 11:46 PM

i choose taufik hidayat he will won the olympic medal, now he has spirit to prove he is the best player in Indonesia, hidup TAUFIK !!!
Yes, no doubt that he is the current best player in Indonesia (compared with Sony and Simon) but if he is to be compared with players from China and Denmark, then..... :rolleyes:

anakin

06-10-2004, 11:48 PM

You cant predict a final when you havent got the draw yet!
If that's the case... then I will choose LIN DAN to be in the final first... :D

peace

06-11-2004, 08:47 AM

Yeah... I think Taufik Hidayat from Indonesia has a chance to win the gold too. BUt I think he is an unstable player, especially his emotional. However, I think he is the only one Indonesian who has a chance to reach the gold. Although Sony has also great skills, but I think he need more experience.

Peter Gade is also a good player, but now I think his playing is decreasing, in comparison to a few years ago.

Lin Dan has a great chance to win, if all goes normally. I mean he will be seeded first. I hope his route in the next olympics will be very advantageous to him. :)
Lin Dan has everything (power,skills, mental,defend, etc), so he has the biggest chance to win.
I think other players who have chances to beat LIN DAN are only his countrymen, like Xia Xuanze and Bao Chunlai.
I want China win the gold. Hehehehe. Wo Ai Zhongguo ! Zhong Guo Dui Jia You !! LIN DAN Jia You ! :)

mnda_315

06-12-2004, 08:58 AM

i voted SONY!!!! he's the best indo player curently i think.. who's better sony or taufik?? let's see who'll win that..

mnda_315

06-12-2004, 09:02 AM

I hope Sony will beat Lin Dan and win!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D
and if he wins,he'll prove that this poll is WRONG because Lin Dan currently dominates it!! kekekekeke...:D :D :D :)
i'm with you merlyn!! i do hope he'll win it too...sony rocks!!:D :D :p

Morten

06-13-2004, 10:37 AM

Poul erik höyer wasnt just a one hitter like ji xinpeng. Höyer has shown that he was a world class player in several occasions. Won all england twice and got the gold medal in atlanta. he has also achieved to be in 2 semifinals in WC 97 and 99 and won major granprix tournaments so I wouldnt compare him with Xinpeng and Kusuma.

rwijaja

06-15-2004, 09:18 PM

Fook90

06-19-2004, 04:23 AM

Why isn't anyone mentioning Chen Hong anymore ? Although he had performed badly in recent times. But he still the second seed for this tournament too. I believe that he could bring a medal in for China.

But I believe that Taufik would be able to win him thorugh his great defensive skills. Generally, he has quite a chance to win the gold for Indonesia. He could engage in defensive and offensive play well. And in TC 2004, he had proved that he had regained his form after the return of his personal coach, Mulyo. Therefore, I believe that he doesn't lack the abilty to win the hot favourites like Lin Dan, Chen Hong, Lee Hyun II, Peter Gade and of course his compatriot, Sony. But if he were to meet Bao Chun Lai (Someone he could not beat easily) in the early rounds, then ... ...

Brave_Turtle

06-24-2004, 12:58 AM

Taufik is not a stable player, he can play extremly good for 1 set and be completely worst for the other one. He seems to have trouble with his serve lately. He's also very smooth and calm compared to Lin Dan.

Lin Dan on the other side is very fast and aggressive. He seems to be a slow starter but become really hard to beat as game goes on. From what I've seen lately, it seems that Lin Dan likes to play with his opponent mind, like someone else in BF said earlier : walking on the court, delay oponent serve, refuse changing shuttle...

I think the final is gonna be against these 2 even tough Id like Sony to win. Another thing i'd liek to add is, watching Taufik game is much more interestign than Lin Dan because Taufik seems to be alot more technical and has more fluidity than Lin Dan. Also, Lin Dan doesn't really show sportmanship, I hope a player with a better personality on the court will win.

pptam

06-24-2004, 01:09 AM

jug8man

06-24-2004, 04:23 AM

Lin Dan seems to have change a lot to me. i remember early on when he won his first to titles he was very much a 'showman' and played very well to the crowd. lately the pressure seems to be getting to him a bit and seems to have so much on his mind.

i hope chen hong can make a comeback. i dont think the china squad is banking on him too much so this lack of pressure might work in his way. the thought of him reachieving his top form after his injury also might catch his opponents off gaurd.

personally i think Sony is the best bet but my money is on chen hong.

cai yu chen hong cai yu chen hong!!!!!!

Fook90

06-24-2004, 08:52 AM

I am a Singaporean and hope that Ronald Susilo could win the gold for Olympics. Btw why isnt he included in the vote ?

Despite that, I hope that Taufik Hidayat could regain his form. I feel that he definitely could exert pressure on Lin Dan. And according to WorldBadminton.net, they have not met since 2001 ABC. Can go check out http://www.worldbadminton.net/Portal/desktopmodules/player_head.asp?firstname1=Dan&lastname1=LIN&firstname2=Taufik&lastname2=HIDAYAT .

gossip_lover

07-05-2004, 03:46 PM

Is xia xuan ze actually playing in the 2004 olympics?...because i read in the IBF site that he isn't (he wasn't on the list)...but i really hope that he is. The last time i saw him play was at the 2003 WC...and he was awesome...but to me..he sort of disappeared...i don't see him anymore...he wasn't at the All England thing.....and he's only ranked number 8?!?!?...i thought he was better than that....

Qidong

07-06-2004, 06:13 PM

Should Malaysian Open Champion, Lee CW, and runner-up, Park, be included in the list also? Together, they beated 6 out of the 9 players in the list.

SmashingBird

07-06-2004, 06:39 PM

Should Malaysian Open Champion, Lee CW, and runner-up, Park, be included in the list also? Together, they beated 6 out of the 9 players in the list.

Park wont even be playing in the Olympics

abedeng

07-06-2004, 11:47 PM

hcyong

07-08-2004, 05:03 AM

That's true. Park and Hafiz Hashim will be sorely missed.

Lee CW is only a darkhorse, as coach Misbun said. Then again, he's about same age as Lin Dan/Bao. So maybe he can surprise us if he believes enough.
Maybe Chen Hong/Wong CH/Gade could lift their games and win. They still had the energy and massive loads of experience. I prefer them rather than the younger guys Lin/Bao/Lee CW/Sony/Taufik (can wait another 4 years). These guys deserve a great parting gift before retirement.

The sad fact is that the Olympic cycle (once every 4 years) is slower than cycle of top stars. Today, Lin Dan is acknowledged as the best in the world. What are the odds of him being the best 4 years later. In fact, for some players, they may be too young for this Olympics and too old for the next one.

abedeng

07-10-2004, 01:53 AM

The sad fact is that the Olympic cycle (once every 4 years) is slower than cycle of top stars. Today, Lin Dan is acknowledged as the best in the world. What are the odds of him being the best 4 years later. In fact, for some players, they may be too young for this Olympics and too old for the next one.
I'm sure that's only applicable to China. They churn out quality players like manufacturing plants, they've begun exporting them too. Players from other nations have a much longer "shelf-life". It wasn't that way in the 80s-90s. Masters like Han Jian, Yang Yang, Zhao Jianhua had long playing careers.

It's quite possible the Chinese extreme training regime emphasizes peak performance but sacrifices players' longevity.

SE1992

07-10-2004, 09:09 AM

I'm sure that's only applicable to China. They churn out quality players like manufacturing plants, they've begun exporting them too. Players from other nations have a much longer "shelf-life". It wasn't that way in the 80s-90s. Masters like Han Jian, Yang Yang, Zhao Jianhua had long playing careers.

It's quite possible the Chinese extreme training regime emphasizes peak performance but sacrifices players' longevity.
I agree that the Chinese players tend to have shorter playing careers but this is really not that much different now than then. If my memory serves me correctly, both Yang Yang and Zhao Jianhua retired around when they were in their mid 20's (not more than 27, I think). But they won a lot before retiring.

Besides the fact that China churns out more talented players regularly as pointed out, another theory of mine is that this could also be due to the playing style. The attacking players tend to have shorter playing life spans - many of the Chinese players tend to fall into this category (maybe due to the same sort of training as suggested). The jumping actions put a lot of strain on the body and increases the probability of injury (to the knees especially).

Therefore many players from the other countries enjoy longer playing career partially due to their playing style as well - Morten Frost, Foo Kok Keong, Roslin Hashim. In fact even Han Jian. Their strehgths lie less with the leaping smashes. Heryanto Arbi also had a kind of a shortened career with his super attacking play. The latter years of his career was marked with dwindling form most of which can be attributed to his constant knee injury.

abedeng

07-13-2004, 03:48 AM

Therefore many players from the other countries enjoy longer playing career partially due to their playing style as well - Morten Frost, Foo Kok Keong, Roslin Hashim. In fact even Han Jian. Their strehgths lie less with the leaping smashes.
Among these long career group you mentioned, only one became world champion, Han Jian. And only one became All-England champ, Morten Frost. The others came close, but did not manage major titles.

BTW, Yang Yang/Zhao Jianhua started when they were teens, Jianhua even won All-England at age of not-yet 19. So by the time they retired, they've done a good 10 years service. The same can't be said of Sun Jun, Ji Xinpeng (last Olympic winner), Wu Wenkai, Dong Jiong and others.

It does some ominous, but looks like China is going to win again (unless they dish out pathetic displays like in the just concluded Malaysian Open).

hcyong

07-14-2004, 10:18 PM

http://www.worldbadminton.net/Portal/documents/Qual_MS_040701.htm

The entry list for MS. Interestingly, this is at the bottom.

Not been selected
6967 PALYAMA Dicky NED
10546 ROCH Jens GER
50500 HARIYANTO * Agus HKG
7944 WIRATAMA ~ * Yohan Hadikusumo HKG

Four players including Sergio Llopis and a Portuguese player filled in their slots. How come those players were not selected by their country? They qualified on merit and they could give any top player a run for his money.

bluejeff

07-18-2004, 10:11 PM

All right, I will say, Gade will win :)
(I love to go against the odds)

Gade will beat Lin Dan by 3 sets.......

BethuneGuy

07-21-2004, 07:45 PM

GO SONY!!!

I just saw the Thomas Cup semifinal Gade vs Sony.

Sony is awesome.

abedeng

07-22-2004, 12:29 AM

Then why did Sony lose to Park? Even Park was made to look ordinary by LeeCW, but that's probably stage-fright setting in.

Loh

07-22-2004, 09:27 PM

I think this Olympics will be one full of surprises and upsets as in the Malaysia Open. :D

We are approaching the final round and those players who have lucky draws and peak at the right time in August will certainly be better off. At the start of this poll, Lin Dan appears to be the undisputed player most likely to be the Olympics Champ. He, together with another favourite, Wong CH, has faltered at the MO and others, such as up-and-coming Lee Chong Wei, emerged as likely candidates for the coveted crown. The ever popular Xia Xuanze was not even selected, eclipsed by his younger compatriot Bao Chunlai, who was summarily eliminated by Lee at the MO. And Lee was not even considered as a possible winner in our poll!

Thus at the MO, the invincibility of the Chinese TC players, Lin Dan, Chen Hong, Bao and Xia, was shattered by youngsters Lee and South Korean, Park Sung-Hwan, another dark horse. Unless the chosen three Chinese have put in more effort in their preparations subsequently and are free from injuries, the other candidates. including Peter Gade, will surely be a great obstacle to their ambitions.

It now appears that one should expect the unlikely to happen at the Olympics. And I would certainly not rule out the following players who can create upsets and are therefore possible medal prospects:

Lee Chong Wei, Sony Kuncoro, Park Sung-Hwan (if he is selected) and our very own, Ronald Susilo (if injury escapes him).

May the best players win! :) :o :D

New_Guy04

07-24-2004, 04:10 PM

every olympics, (92, 96, 00) someone unexpected wins the medals. that's why i will go with wong choong hann, lee hyun il, and chen hong to win the medals, since no one is expecting them to win. i'm not so sure about the medal colors of the players, but i'm expecting lee or chen to get the gold, and wong probably silver or bronze. of course, this is just a long shot guess, but might happen;)

sunny

07-24-2004, 05:44 PM

Go Sony Go!!!

I want sony to win because he is getting better and better. Also Joko is his coach and I like Joko very much. Sony will make Joko very proud if he wins. So go Sony go. :)

cooler

07-24-2004, 05:52 PM

LOL, people who voted Xia Xuanze are wrong before the olympic starts :p

Ricky.S

07-24-2004, 07:24 PM

I'd like to see Peter Gade win :D but my money is on Lin Dan. ;)

In 1992 at the Barcelona Olympics when badminton had its first official debut, the Chinese tried to dominate with Zhao, Lui Jun and Wu Wenkai, only after that fixing of the All-England months before where Zhao threw the game in an all Chinese final so that Lui would have enough points to be allowed to enter the Olympics.

In the end it all backfired as they all lost, Zhao losing in a 3 setter to H.Susanto (not a player of Zhao's class) and then there being an all Indonesian final - Kusuma vs Ardy, both of which Zhao had beat many times before.

The moral being that who knows what will really happen on the day when the finalists walk on that court for what is probably their most important match ever!

cooler

07-26-2004, 12:15 PM

shaha_kim

07-28-2004, 06:56 PM

my prediction:
SF : Lin Dan v Taufik Hidayat
Chen Hong v Wong CH
F : Taufik Hidayat v Chen Hong
The winner is Taufik Hidayat (I hope)http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/images/icons/icon12.gif

trapped-never

07-30-2004, 02:22 AM

My tip is Peter Gade for victory. But my favourite player is Przemek Wacha. I think he can get to third round and then who knows?

IdOlCaMiLlAgAdE

08-01-2004, 08:42 AM

Go Gade !!!!!!!u will be the CHAMPION!!!!!:)

fishmilk

08-01-2004, 12:58 PM

It's been heavily discussed why it's hard for Gade to beat Lin Dan

Morten

08-01-2004, 03:31 PM

who says that if Gade reahces the final it will be with Lin Dan on the other side of the net. Why not wait and see until the draw is released instead of preaching who will meet who.

fishmilk

08-01-2004, 09:33 PM

well i find it hard to believe that lin dan won't make the finals...it's possible but the way he's been playing I don't see anything or anyone stopping him from getting to at LEAST the finals... if i were putting money on it, i'd put my money on him...

petergadefan

08-03-2004, 06:37 AM

With out a doubt(well hopefully) it will be Lin Dan vs Peter Gade in the final it all depends on who prepares best for the match and who plays better on the day which determines who wins the GOLD.
I'm backing Gade:D

LazyBuddy

08-03-2004, 11:45 AM

With Xia out of Olympics, WCH's chance just got doubled. One more time of fully support for my favorite player. :)

liverpool

08-10-2004, 03:06 AM

It doest not look good for WCH, Taufik, or Gade. These three giants will fight to the last drop and the winner will be easy picking for Lin Dan. WCH have beaten both, but Gade especially has been pacing himself for this gold. He wanted it badly thus emulating Hoyer Larsen.

However, we might see Lin Dan bungling out to Ronald Susilo....a tough match for Lin Dan!! I am supporting WCH thus I hope our neighbour down south will do us a favour.

Lee Chong Wei, might be the real dark horse...He has beaten Chen Hong and Bao C Lai before. If Lin Dan got bungle out by Ronald, Li Yong Bo might face the wrath of China BA for living out Xia. Bao Chun Lai easilly rattle if the stake is high!! In addition I find his style to be very predictable. Advantage is his reach and height.

" Malaysia Boleh" ( Malaysia Can do it )

As for the Malaysian mens double, I just hate to comment. Now ranked No 1, I think it only adds more burden to the two " cartoons". If they enter the final I will probably fail the olympic dope test. That is because I need to take anti depressant drug to calm my nerve!!!!

Loh

08-10-2004, 05:06 AM

[QUOTE=liverpool]

However, we might see Lin Dan bungling out to Ronald Susilo....a tough match for Lin Dan!! I am supporting WCH thus I hope our neighbour down south will do us a favour.

Lee Chong Wei, might be the real dark horse...He has beaten Chen Hong and Bao C Lai before. If Lin Dan got bungle out by Ronald, Li Yong Bo might face the wrath of China BA for living out Xia. Bao Chun Lai easilly rattle if the stake is high!! In addition I find his style to be very predictable. Advantage is his reach and height. QUOTE]

:)

Well Singapore would certainly love to do Malaysia a favour! But let's face it, it is extremely tough for Ronald to beat Lin Dan, although he has done so once before in their two encounters so far.

But then, Lin was only 18 and was not the WR No. 1 he now is. Lin was in devastating form and captured a record number of IBF events last year, although he slipped a little this year. Both will be fighting for the biggest prize and honour in their career although Ronald has a slight pyschological advantage as the underdog. Whoever wins this first round encounter has a pretty good chance of beating the next opponent and get nearer to the crucial rounds.

Of course, I hope Ronald can put up his best performance to unseat Lin. But one can't be for sure as there are so many imponderables.

May the best man win! :p

~Tracy**

08-13-2004, 07:54 AM

im all out for Malaysia..!!Although lin dan may looks like unbeatable but i think anything can happen in sport ..!! Peter gade also stand a chance to win a medal..

wl2172

08-14-2004, 04:25 PM

My tip is Peter Gade for victory. But my favourite player is Przemek Wacha. I think he can get to third round and then who knows?

I really don't think Wacha has the firepower to beat Wong CH....sorry.

Loh

08-15-2004, 10:18 PM

At the beginning of this poll, Lin Dan as the hottest World No. 1, was favoured by an overwheming 113 (40%) posters to win the Olympics Gold! Now he is out, knocked out by the unheralded Ronald Susilo in the very first round and Ronald was not even considered as a prospect! Had kwun had the time to hold the contest, these 113 respondents would have been one down! :)

Second in the poll is Peter Gade who commanded 37 (14%) of the votes with Wong Choong Hann a close third at 36 (13%).

Looks like Peter Gade has now replaced Lin to become the hot favourite. But will he also go the way of Lin Dan? Anything is possible now. We better wait and see and proceed step by step! Just like Ronald, a dark horse may well emerge to everybody's surprise. :D