It should be out in a moment.

Anyway this is the seedings report for this event

Mens Singles

1.LIN Dan CHINA
2.LEE Chong Wei MALAYSIA
3.GADE Peter DENMARK
4.CHEN Hong CHINA
5.CHEN Jin CHINA
6.BAO Chunlai CHINA
7.JONASSEN Kenneth DENMARK
8.CHEN Yu CHINA


Womens Singles

1.ZHANG Ning CHINA
2.XIE Xingfang CHINA
3.XU Huaiwen GERMANY
4.WANG Chen HONGKONG
5.LU Lan CHINA
6.ZHU Lin CHINA
7.PI Hongyan FRANCE
8.YAO Jie GERMANY

Womens Doubles

1. GAO Ling/HUANG Sui CHINA
2.YANG Wei/ZHANG Jiewen CHINA
3.ZHANG Yawen/WEI Yili CHINA
4.WONG Pei Tty/CHIN Eei Hui MALAYSIA
5.DU Jing /ZHAO Tingting CHINA
6.EMMS Gail/KELLOGG Donna ENGLAND
7.NURSUGIANTI Endang/MUNDIASTI Rani INDONESIA
8.JIANG Yanmei/LI Yujia SINGAPORE


Mens Doubles

1.FU Haifeng/CAI Yun CHINA
2.ERIKSEN Jens/LUNDGAARD HANSEN Martin DENMARK
3.JUNG Jae Sung/LEE Yong Dae KOREA
4.CHOONG Tan Fook/LEE Wan Wah MALAYSIA
5.WIJAYA Candra/GUNAWAN Tony INDONESIA/USA
6.KIDO Markis/SETIAWAN Hendra INDONESIA
7.CLARK Anthony/BLAIR Robert ENGLAND
8.MOHD TAZARI Mohd Fairuzizuan/LIN Woon Fui MALAYSIA


MIXED DOUBLES

1.WIDIANTO Nova/NATSIR Lilyana INDONESIA
2.PRAPAKAMOL Sudket/THOUNGTHONGKAM Saralee THAILAND
3.XIE Zhongbo/ZHANG Yawen CHINA
4.CLARK Anthony/KELLOGG Donna ENGLAND
5.LAYBOURN Thomas/RYTTER JUHL Kamilla DENMARK
6.ROBERTSON Nathan/EMMS Gail ENGLAND
7.ZHENG Bo/GAO Ling CHINA
8.ZHANG Jun/ZHAO Tingting CHINA

http://www.internationalbadminton.org/draws.asp

LinDan vs Taufik in the 1st Round should be VERY Interesting!

MSQ-1: (meaning MS Qualifying Spot 1)
Sony v Ronald looks inevitable

MSQ-2:
Wong Choong Hann looks a class above the rest here

MSQ-3:
Anup Sridhar v (Milroy or Nguyen Tien Minh or Roslin)

MSQ-4:
Weakest qualifying bracket; James Chua could pull it off here

WSQ-1:
Lee Hyun Jin looks too strong for the field here; probably take on Mudukasan

WSQ-2:
Likewise for Xing Aiying

WSQ-3:
Maria Kristin

WSQ-4:
Anna Rice

man this draw is one of the craziest i've seen.... well, LCW's biggest confrontation in the early round is probably BCL in Quarter followed by CJ or CH in semi b4 meetin either TH, LD, or PGC in finals.. if LCW can make it to finals.... all depends on him now...

For the Malaysian Fans , Most likely they will see a CCM/HTH vs KKK/TBH in the first round of the main draw. However KKK/TBH should have an easy go at the qualifying round.

well.....looking at the draw....I think LCW has a big chance to make the finals again....well...just hope he'll not get beaten by BCL for another time...CJ is not doing well lately...while CH...well...dunno bout him...
MD draw is sucky....M'sians are all drawn in the same half...even if KKK/TBH makes the main draw they'll have to face CCM/HTH.....if they make it through it'll be CTF/LWW...

MSQ-3:
Anup Sridhar v (Milroy or Nguyen Tien Minh or Roslin)


Hashim Muhamad (51000) is not Roslin (7790).

Interesting & Hectic schedule for the qualifiers. 3 qualifying matches within 1 & half days!!! I'm not sure if MS Main draw matches start on the second day either!!!!

But good to see that all six of Rashid's charges got their chance to compete.

Cheers.

TBBMBB(N)

indeed exciting. but how come that so many countrymen are set to meet each other in 1st rounds or even after. and here we are talking about putting almost all malaysian MD in 1 half. Isnt the draw made on a computer which woulnt allow such draws to be made. In MS the top half fills the strongest players with 3 of the title contenders TH LD and PG. If LCW is in form he will have an easier way to the final than the 3 players above and may turn out fresher in an eventual final. However this draw is almost like an olympic draw and since only 8 seedings the top players may have some harder matches in the beginning, something that they are not used to, for example LD vs TH and CJ vs Hafiz. With these tournaments we will get rid of those matches that almost are a walkover for some of the players. May sound harsh but in the long run it helps the sport since the tournaments this way gets more interesting for the crowd.

Well Morten,

here's the reason :- http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2006/12/18/sports/16351538

This is BWF's new ruling effective MO2007 for the Super Series.

Cheers.

TBBMBB(N)

Ya..Lets wait for all the interesting matches.I believe that whoever go to watch live in the stadium is definitely an unforgetable experience but i have no chance to watch it live..

LinDan vs Taufik in the 1st Round should be VERY Interesting!
surely this is not random! it sounds more like a set up haha..
Indeed this will be very exciting and interesting

well.....looking at the draw....I think LCW has a big chance to make the finals again....well...just hope he'll not get beaten by BCL for another time...CJ is not doing well lately...while CH...well...dunno bout him...
MD draw is sucky....M'sians are all drawn in the same half...even if KKK/TBH makes the main draw they'll have to face CCM/HTH.....if they make it through it'll be CTF/LWW...

by my reckoning, KKK/TBH have to face CCM/HTH, then CTF/LWW, then MF/LWF, then Kido/Setiawan to get to the finals .... gosh .... that's tough!

QF looks like fun though, with
Cai/Fu vs Gunawan/Wijaya
Lungaard/Eriksen vs Kido/Setiawan

LD vs TH in round 1, this could have been the final of any tournament. Just goes to show that TH really has to improve on his ranking to avoid the top seeds in the early rounds. I fancy he can do it though, which would prolly be the first time in the last 3/4 years that LD has lost in the first round.

Come on Merah-Putih!

sooo... the draw is out.. and... hhmmm interesting....
MS :
1Qt has lin dan wich have to fight with taufik as early as 1 round....
the other contestant will be kenneth jonassan whom seed 5/8

2Qt will be fill by peter gade 3/4 and chen yu 5/8

3Qt has lee tsuen seng, hafiz, Chen hong3/4, chen jin 5/8,

4Qt are LCW 2, Bao chunlai 5/8, Kuan Beng hong and Ng wei

hehehhee... what do you think ?

MD:

1qt are filled by fu/cai whose need to fight with the daness Boe/Fisher
the winner would likely face tony chandra at QF

2qt have been draw for jung /Lee 3/4. sukmawan/eng hian vs Paaske/ rasmussen, clark/ Blair 5/8 vc njoto/Wiratama (hkg), and Hendra/Joko wich has been the luckiest pair among others because they could create an upsets in this quarter as the the 1st two rounds will be relatively easy for them. it does mean that they will reach QF with a little fight.

3qt are play by hendra/hendri (sin) againts japenness sakamoto/ikeda in the 1st round, and the tazari/Lin (mas) 3/4 againts Guo/Xie zhongbo (chn)
CCT/LWW are seed 3/4 als play in this quarter wich likely has no problem reaching their 1st QF this year.

4qt are the worst quarter after all as luluk/alven will face markis/hendra if the young indonesian cloud trash shen ye/ he hanbin (chn) in the 1st around. as their opponent will be likely malaysian Gan/abdul latif or prapakamol/ngernsrisuk (tha) or logoz/mateusiak (pol) or eriksen/lungaard (den) 2. they all has same oportunity to make it into QF and fight with the indonesian.

XD:

1st nova/butet will have relative smooth road to Qf the only challange would come from Paaske/Schjoldager metter (den). Laybourn/Rytter (den)5/8 have to pass the english pair lindley/rayappan before next clash againts KKK/WPT for tickect to QF.

2nd Xie/Zhang 3/4 and Zheng bo/Gao ling 5/8 will have smooth road as well to Qf wich they need to face each other for the Semi spot.

3qt Zhang jun/zoa tingitng 5/8 will face rasmussen/frier(den) or hendri/li yujia (sin) for a spot in QF, their opponent will be clark/kellogg if they can pass the young indonesian rizal/poliiint 1st round and then the siblings from phi.

4qt the newly crown world champion Nathan/Gail 5/8 of england will be troubled by Quay/shirley in the first rouns as the 2nd round they will be awaited by their compatriot blair/wallwork. Flandy/vita of indo have to fight in the 1st round as their oppenent are the more expirience and higher rank korean Lee/Hwan. whoever pass the 1st round will be the opponent of sudhet/saralee as the thaise are seed number 2 here.

last but not least the WD
china sent 4 pairs here wich mean the only chance for the rest will be the 3rd quarter. so who play in this quarter?
3 Mas pair are here in this quarter but the most interesting pair for me here are the stracht pair of indonesia polii/vita who need the be their best to beat the 3/4rd seed WPT/CEH of malaysia. whoever pass this battle will likely make it into semi.

actually indonesia has another chance to make into QF as rani/endang has draw together with lita/nathalia. but they will be trash by zhang/wei in the Quarter Final

This draw will all written in words. I'm getting a little bit dizzy and confused reading it. Anyone know who KKK/TBH will face during the qualifying round? Plz....:confused: :confused: :confused:

You may post your insights here http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39729

Yes...
Hopfully, Indonesia and Malaysia can work together to avoid the china player to going to semifinal. so Liong Bo not arrogant again....HHHaaa..

We are hope:
- Man Single: Taufik can meet Lee Chong Wei in Final
- Man Doube: Indonesia and Malaysia in Final
- Mix Double: Indonesia vs Malaysia in Final

Mix double can be all indonesian final I think so...


LD vs TH in round 1, this could have been the final of any tournament. Just goes to show that TH really has to improve on his ranking to avoid the top seeds in the early rounds. I fancy he can do it though, which would prolly be the first time in the last 3/4 years that LD has lost in the first round.

Come on Merah-Putih!

How did Chan Chong Ming and his new partner get into the main draw (they have never participated in an international tourney before) ahead of Tan Boon Heong / Koo Kien Keat ?

Did I miss something here?

Malaysian National News Agency

Lin Dan-Taufik Face Off In Sizzling Opener During M'sian Open
Sports
January 09, 2007 22:14 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The draw for the Malaysian Open badminton championships, here Tuesday saw world number one Lin Dan of China and his nemesis, Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, facing off in a sizzling first-round match, dashing any hopes of the duo meeting in the final.

Lin Dan, who lost to Taufik in the final of the Asian Games in Doha last month, was drawn in the top half of the fixture while world number two and defending champion Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, who heads the bottom half, faces Bjoern Joppien of Germany.

The rather unfamiliar meeting of the arch-rivals in the first round was due to a recent change in format introduced by the BWF whereby only the top eight seeds will be separated during the draw and since Taufik was not among the top eight, the early meeting could not be avoided.

The US$200,000 Malaysian Open, the season opening tournament for the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) new 12-leg Super Series, which offers at least US$200,000 as prize money, will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium on Jan 16-21.

Newly appointed BWF general manager Ganga Rao said the new format would feature only 32 players in the main draw instead of the normal 64, thus providing a lot of excitement for the fans right from the start.

"Overall, it was a good draw, especially for Chong Wei, but with the format in place, chances of top players meeting each other early will always be on the cards," Ganga told Bernama Tuesday.

Barring any upsets, Chong Wei is expected to meet China's Bao Chunlai or Dane Peter Gade in the semi-finals.

Apart from Chong Wei, the Malaysian singles challenge will come from Kuan Beng Hong, Hafiz Hashim, Yeoh Kay Bin, Lee Tsuen Seng and Sairul Amar Ayob.

Malaysia also has four doubles pairs in the men's doubles competition comprising Lee Wan Wah/Choong Tan Fook, seeded 3rd-4th, Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari/Lin Woon Fui, Chan Chong Ming/Hoon Thien How and Asian Games gold medallists Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong who will have to go through the qualifiers as they are a newly formed pair with no BWF ranking points.

-- BERNAMA

Oh man, not that I am doubting TH's ability, but I was kinda hoping he would at least meet LD in the QF or something. TH may have beaten LD in the Asian Games, but what are the chances he can beat the guy again this time round? Frankly, pretty slim.

I think TH will lose 1:2, as usual. However, all the pressure is on LD, he cannot afford to lose again this time, while TH really does not care whether he loses or not. Furthermore, this is actually a bad draw for LD. He has to peak in the first round and may not have enough time to adjust in the following rounds when he meets other strong opponents.

Oh man, not that I am doubting TH's ability, but I was kinda hoping he would at least meet LD in the QF or something. TH may have beaten LD in the Asian Games, but what are the chances he can beat the guy again this time round? Frankly, pretty slim.

Good point. I am a big fan of TH and I really want him to play well. If he has to go crashing in the 1st round, I hope that he would at least tire out LD so he will not be 100% for the next few rounds...

Good question...
KL Open champs V Asian Games champs...which one is more prestigious?
I think there is an error in the draw for the men doubles.

How did Chan Chong Ming and his new partner get into the main draw (they have never participated in an international tourney before) ahead of Tan Boon Heong / Koo Kien Keat ?

Did I miss something here?


Hmmm based on the recent KL Open, CCM/HTH beat the top seeded Msian Players, so they are considered to have a better performance among Msian pairs. For the seeded they are place in their eventual slots, those who are unseeded might based on their latest performance. Personally thats what i think. However its the Draw.. i also confused hahah..

How did Chan Chong Ming and his new partner get into the main draw (they have never participated in an international tourney before) ahead of Tan Boon Heong / Koo Kien Keat ?

Did I miss something here?
Hmmm based on the recent KL Open, CCM/HTH beat the top seeded Msian Players, so they are considered to have a better performance among Msian pairs. For the seeded they are place in their eventual slots, those who are unseeded might based on their latest performance. Personally thats what i think. However its the Draw.. i also confused hahah..
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34737&page=5 (post #75 & 76)..
..i probably would concur with ants(since he spends his time a lot with the MAS players)...but my hunch for the main reason is, there are other MD pairs who probably pulled out from the tourney..hence CCM/HTH are now able to play in the main draw right away..:confused: ;)

You may post your insights here http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39729
..concur with ants, since both are discussing the same topic..so mods/kwun might want to merge these 2 threads together..:)

Speaking of the draw, for MS, i'm looking at a possibility of a rematch from last yr's MO, LinDan vs. LeeChongWei..;) :cool:

Good question...
KL Open champs V Asian Games champs...which one is more prestigious?
Answer: Asian Games.

I think there is an error in the draw for the men doubles.
What error? I can't see the error in the double draw?

..concur with ants, since both are discussing the same topic..so mods/kwun might want to merge these 2 threads together..:)

Speaking of the draw, for MS, i'm looking at a possibility of a rematch from last yr's MO, LinDan vs. LeeChongWei..;) :cool:
no prob:D
i hope LD concentrate on the TH match instead. By winning over TH, his confidence will carry LD to beat LCW:) If not, no use of thinking about the LCW match at all:p

No doubt that Asian Title is more prestigious. Anyway many people is still not used to the draw yet. Especially Rexy who sounded mad yesterday when he saw the draw.He definately didnt expect most of his doubles players in the same half.

Taufik however are suprised by the draw when he got the news that he will be facing LinDan in the 1st round. Respond to it was "WHAT!" after calming down, he was back to himself as usual confident and say he will play his best. Might as well face LinDan now than later. No matter what still have to play his game.

hey ants.. was TH der 4 the draw yday????

its hard to say between CCM/HTH going against KKK/TBH... they have not played against each other b4...
MF/LWF won KKK/TBH but lost to CCM/HTH
KKK/TBH won CY/FHF but lost to MF/LWF
i would say its quite a match this time...
i would give it 50-50

I prefer that they do not intentionally seperate players/pairs from the same nations in the draw. These are individual events and as such, each player/pair should be officially treated as an individual competitor. Only by acknowledging this can badminton go on to the next level. Let the player be more important than the nation he represents.

If players from the same nation are all bunched in the same half, so be it; it's the luck of draw.

I hope that in future, the same goes for the World Championship qualification; no more limitations of the number of players from the same nation. If you want more nations to particapate, fair enough, but use a different strategy. For a simple example, in a 64-draw event, automatically qualify the top 50, and for the other 14, pick players from nations not yet chosen.

However, Olympics will be different because the Olympic movement has its own rules.

This is the first leg of the Super Series so there are lots of uncertainties for sure, we just have to let it go thru the process and see how it turns out. I recall many have doubts about the 21-point system when it first introduced.
Regardless the new rule/drawing/scoring systems, the better players still should prevail. Even the duel between Taufk vs Lin Dan, though unfortunate to meet one another on round 1, how is it different if they meet on round 3?
In the Super Series, even the qualification round is worth watching, IMHO.
Han

It's a sheer bad luck for Malaysian men's doubles in the draw for the MO.:crying: Four of the pairs could join in the same half by AG Champions KKK/TBH. I'm so sad that KKK/TBH have to play against CCM/HTH in the early round. I know this would happen. But how come? All the four pairs have to fight against each other. That means when comes to semis, they will be only one malaysian pair. Oh, gosh, this is so terrible. :crying: :crying: :crying:
The draw for the MD will so terrible, and why KKK/TBH have to play as a qualifier but CCM/HTH don't. This is simply so unfair. :mad: :mad: :mad:

plz dun 4get tony & chandra are in too

Taufik however are suprised by the draw when he got the news that he will be facing LinDan in the 1st round. Respond to it was "WHAT!" after calming down, he was back to himself as usual confident and say he will play his best. Might as well face LinDan now than later. No matter what still have to play his game.

The draw is harsh on both LD and TH because they are about the best in the business and should not have to go out in the first round.

Others may think this is fair as this is an individual tournament but when you are in the world top 5, and having to be knocked out in R1 after spending so much resources this is cruel. Worst still if the WR 20 is able to reach the QF or better because more earnings for those who can advance further.

Either LD or TH will get nothing or just a token sum for expenses. :(

Taufik however are suprised by the draw when he got the news that he will be facing LinDan in the 1st round. Respond to it was "WHAT!" after calming down, he was back to himself as usual confident and say he will play his best. Might as well face LinDan now than later. No matter what still have to play his game.
...the man himself, indra, anytime soon on his prediction for his #1 player Taufik..hehe:p :D ;)

Hmmm based on the recent KL Open, CCM/HTH beat the top seeded Msian Players, so they are considered to have a better performance among Msian pairs. For the seeded they are place in their eventual slots, those who are unseeded might based on their latest performance. Personally thats what i think. However its the Draw.. i also confused hahah..

From TheStar.com.my

Rexy was unhappy that the Badminton World Federation (BWF) used the notional rankings, which gave Chong Ming-Thien How, who will be making their first international appearance as a pair, a place in the main draw.
“I am happy that the BWF are making the Super Series tournaments interesting by limiting the draw of an event to 32 entries and scrapping the national separation rule,” said Rexy.
“But if they want the best pairs in the world to be in the main draw, why use the notional ranking that bring a newly-formed pair into the main draw. They should have discarded that rule too.”
According to the BWF rule, a new pair with players making a return after injury or split must use the notional ranking.
Their individual world ranking points (achieved with their former partners) will be used to calculate a new world ranking. This is to compensate for a strong doubles pair who is making a comeback or starting anew but have only competed in a few competitions.

http://www.thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2007/1/10/sports/16526074&sec=sports

LinDan vs Taufik in the 1st Round should be VERY Interesting!
:rolleyes: :eek: :eek: ....:D Grand Opening Match of the year 2007!! :D

Wednesday January 10, 2007


Badminton: Lin Dan and Taufik to clash in opening round

BY RAJES PAUL

PETALING JAYA: The 50th edition of the Malaysian Open Badminton Championships is set for an explosive start with world champion Lin Dan of China up against Olympic and Asian Games gold medallist Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in the first round of the men’s singles competition.

In the draw released yesterday for the US$200,000 championships, which begin with the qualifying tournament on Tuesday at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium (KLBA) in Cheras, the top two Malaysian players, Lee Chong Wei and Mohd Hafiz Hashim, found themselves in the same half of the draw.

The Malaysian Open is the opening leg of the inaugural Super Series, which limits seedings to the top eight in a 32-entry draw. And the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) decision not to apply the national separation ruling has set up intriguing early round battles.

The top-seeded Lin Dan, who is chasing an elusive Malaysian Open title, will get an early opportunity to avenge the defeat by Taufik in the final of the Doha Asian Games last month. Taufik, who is ranked 12th in the world, is unseeded.

Three-time champion Chong Wei, who is seeded second, greeted the first-round match between Lin Dan and Taufik with delight.

“It is good that one of them will have to make an early exit. It is one fewer hurdle for me to worry about,” said the 24-year-old Chong Wei.

But Chong Wei has a big stumbling block in his path to the semi-finals. He is expected to meet World Championships runner-up Bao Chunlai of China in the quarter-finals.

“I still remember the defeat by Chunlai in the quarter-finals of the world meet in Madrid last year. It will be good if I get to avenge the defeat in front of my home supporters,” he said.

Chong Wei will take on Bjoern Joppien of Germany in the first round. Victory will give him a second round match against Japanese Shoji Sato or Poland’s Wacha Przemyslaw.

“There is a possibility for me to meet Hafiz (the world number 10) in the semi-finals. Previously, the top two players from a country go to different halves of the draw,” he said.

“I find it unfair but this is the new ruling. The consolation is that I will not be meeting him (the unseeded Hafiz) in the early rounds.”

Hafiz has a first-round match against Chinese veteran Chen Hong and he also has a Chinese youngster, Chen Jin, in the same quarter.

Denmark’s top two players – Peter Gade-Christensen and Kenneth Jonassen – were drawn in the top half and could meet in the semi-finals.

The likely high hurdle for Gade-Christensen is a projected quarter-final against China’s Chen Yu. Jonassen is expected to play against the winner of the match between Lin Dan and Taufik for a place in the semi-finals.
------------
Formidable foes: The Malaysian Open badminton tournament could not have asked for a more explosive opener – a clash between Lin Dan (left) and Taufik Hidayat.

Badminton/Malaysia Open: Doubles jeopardy as Chong Wei faces 'the great wall'
10 Jan 2007
K.M. Boopathy


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) decision to do away with the nationality separation policy for the Super Series proved costly for Malaysia as all six men’s doubles pairs were drawn in the same half for the Malaysia Open which begins in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

WHEN the draw for next week’s Malaysia Open was made yesterday, Lee Chong Wei found the Great Wall of China in his way.

Chong Wei, the defending champion, is scripted to face three great barriers in the form of Bao Chunlai, Chen Hong and Lin Dan.

The Malaysian No 1 is drawn to meet Chunlai in the quarterfinals, Chen Hong in the semis and, possibly, Lin Dan in the final.

As for Malaysia’s Asian Games doubles gold medallists Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, the ‘enemies’, at least in the early rounds, are from within.
As all six Malaysian pairs have been drawn in the same half, they may well end up destroying one another’s chances.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong have to come through the qualifiers and awaiting them in the first round are teammates Chan Chong Ming-Hoon Thien How. A win for either pair will see a second-round match against veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah.

On another front, Lin Dan and Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat will have a
chance to ‘kill’ each other early as they are meeting in the first round of the men’s singles.

Malaysia’s No 1 singles player Lee Chong Wei’s hopes of winning his fourth consecutive title will face a stiff challenge after he was drawn with the possibility of meeting China’s Bao Chunlai, Chen Hong and Lin Dan in the quarter-final, semi-final and final respectively.

But for the neutrals, the draw also pitted reigning Asian Games and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia against world champion Lin Dan in the very first round.

In the men’s doubles, Malaysia’s chances already suffered a setback when Asian Games champions Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were forced to play in the qualifying round, but after yesterday’s draw, the damage could be even worse.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who should have little problem beating Vitaly Durkin-Alexandr Nikolaenko of Russia and compatriots Chew Choon Eng-Hong Chien Hun in the qualifying rounds, will meet teammates Chan Chong Ming-Hoon Thien How in the first round of the main draw.

If Kien Keat-Boon Heong secure victory, they have veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, the joint third seeds, awaiting them in the second round. And if they progress, will most likely come up against joint fifth seeds Lin Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan Tazari in the last eight.

Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan have a tough first round match themselves where they play China’s No 2 Guo Zhendong-Xie Zhongbo.

Gan Teik Chai-Zakry Latif are also in the same half of the draw but they play Thailand’s Sudket Prapakamol-Patapol Ngernsrisuk in the first round before an uphill task against second seeds Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen of Denmark in the next round.

National men’s doubles coach Rexy Mainaky was not amused with the situation and said that the tournament does not look like a Super Series event at all.

"The Super Series was supposed to involve all the best players but this is not the case this time. I just can’t rationalise how all our pairs ended up in the bottom half," said Rexy.

"I don’t think the national ranking (players who are ranked higher with previous partners will still receive favourable seedings) should have been used for the tournament.

" I’m sure I will not be the only person to raise this matter and I expect the other coaches will feel the same way.

"It also makes it difficult for us to gain ranking points if we keep meeting each other in every tournament. If this continues, it is going to be extremely difficult qualifying for the World Championships and the Olympics (in 2008).

"Even the men’s singles is affected as the qualifying tournament looks as tough as the main draw now."

In the men’s singles, second seed Chong Wei should clear the first round against Bjoern Joppein of Germany and has an equally easy second round match against Japan’s Shoji Sato.

However, he is expected to meet Bao Chunlai in the last eight and either Chen Hong or Chen Jin, also from China, in the semis.

Chong Wei may well be hoping for a favour from Taufik to eliminate Lin Dan in the first round.

Taufik had branded Lin Dan "arrogant" during the Asian Games and the latter would be going all out for revenge in the Malaysia Open.

If Lin Dan beats Taufik, he should meet Park Sung Hwan of South Korea in the second round with Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark his likely opponent in the last four.

Other Malaysians are not expected to go far in the tournament.

Hafiz Hashim could not have asked a for a tougher match as he opens against Chen Hong, while Wong Choong Hann must go through three matches in the qualifying rounds and the first round of the main draw against John Moody of New Zealand in the first two days of the tournament.

Chen Jin awaits Choong Hann in the second round.

Kuan Beng Hong’s second round opponent will be Bao Chunlai while Yeoh Kay Bin is expected to take on Chen Yu of China in another second round match.

Speaking of the draw, for MS, i'm looking at a possibility of a rematch from last yr's MO, LinDan vs. LeeChongWei..;) :cool:
The same here but....with different ending!!:p

hey ants.. was TH der 4 the draw yday????

There is such thing as mobile phone. :)

No matter what the draw is,just hope that all the player will play their best...

i think its bad for the world ranking side but great for spectators to see the matches .... its definately straight to the action .... no more waiting for semi or final .... they pretty much have to fight all the way to be on top .... not all at least the top seeds now have tougher route as they meet each other in the early stages .... giving other more chance to gain world ranking points ....

1st round of the competition is already as good as any final match in the world of badminton ... its like doha final all over again .... and im gonna watch it live !!! so nice .. hahaha c u guys there !

LinDan vs Taufik in the 1st Round should be VERY Interesting!

This is the game of honour!

...the man himself, indra, anytime soon on his prediction for his #1 player Taufik..hehe:p :D ;)
Kwun has already slapped him on the wrist on another thread hehe:p

i'm hope webcast show the LD vs TH match unlike other times where they don't broadcast early rounds.

i didn't see Lee Hyun-il in the MS draw, what happen to this dude?

i didn't see Lee Hyun-il in the MS draw, what happen to this dude?
..a lot of the Korean players either:confused:..Perhaps event can give us more infos on their absences?..

TH and LDs match should start around 2pm

They are preparing full force for the Korea Open Super Series right after the Malaysian Open.

TH and LDs match should start around 2pm

What about the rest of the schedule? Can't seem to find this on the website and the draw is difficult to read as well as the competitors' names are set far apart in relatively small print.

I understand that the Qualifying Round is on Tue 16, and R1 on Wed, but will the finals be played on Sun 21 (starting what time?).

If the Finals are on Sunday, so SF will be on Saturday, and QF on Friday, which means there will be a R2 on Thursday? Am I correct and what about the start times, any morning, afternoon and evening sessions? :(

There is such thing as mobile phone. :)
erm... den how did u noe his response??

The same here but....with different ending!!:p
wouldn't it be a little bit too early to predict the outcome??? hehe:D :D :D

Lin Dan vs Taufik in the first round:eek: ......doesn't anyone see this as a TOTAL FIX? The malaysian official arranged this draw so Lee Chong Wei will have easy victory.
I bet when China Open comes around, you'll see Taufik vs Lee Chong Wei in the FIRST ROUND......:rolleyes:

Lin Dan vs Taufik in the first round:eek: ......doesn't anyone see this as a TOTAL FIX? The malaysian official arranged this draw so Lee Chong Wei will have easy victory.
I bet when China Open comes around, you'll see Taufik vs Lee Chong Wei in the FIRST ROUND......:rolleyes:ROFL, LYB and Li Mao is making deals behind the scene:p

You read my mind........also this new no separation rule is bad, why? because Lin Dan can get walk-over from Chen Yu, Chen Jin, Bao Chunlai and get first place without hitting a shuttle.....LYB can make it happen.

ROFL, LYB and Li Mao is making deals behind the scene:p

Lin Dan vs Taufik in the first round:eek: ......doesn't anyone see this as a TOTAL FIX? The malaysian official arranged this draw so Lee Chong Wei will have easy victory.
I bet when China Open comes around, you'll see Taufik vs Lee Chong Wei in the FIRST ROUND......:rolleyes:
oh reli?????? how did u noe??

Wednesday January 10, 2007


Badminton: Lin Dan and Taufik to clash in opening round

BY RAJES PAUL

PETALING JAYA: The 50th edition of the Malaysian Open Badminton Championships is set for an explosive start with world champion Lin Dan of China up against Olympic and Asian Games gold medallist Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia in the first round of the men’s singles competition.

In the draw released yesterday for the US$200,000 championships, which begin with the qualifying tournament on Tuesday at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium (KLBA) in Cheras, the top two Malaysian players, Lee Chong Wei and Mohd Hafiz Hashim, found themselves in the same half of the draw.

The Malaysian Open is the opening leg of the inaugural Super Series, which limits seedings to the top eight in a 32-entry draw. And the Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) decision not to apply the national separation ruling has set up intriguing early round battles.

The top-seeded Lin Dan, who is chasing an elusive Malaysian Open title, will get an early opportunity to avenge the defeat by Taufik in the final of the Doha Asian Games last month. Taufik, who is ranked 12th in the world, is unseeded.

Three-time champion Chong Wei, who is seeded second, greeted the first-round match between Lin Dan and Taufik with delight.

“It is good that one of them will have to make an early exit. It is one fewer hurdle for me to worry about,” said the 24-year-old Chong Wei.

But Chong Wei has a big stumbling block in his path to the semi-finals. He is expected to meet World Championships runner-up Bao Chunlai of China in the quarter-finals.

“I still remember the defeat by Chunlai in the quarter-finals of the world meet in Madrid last year. It will be good if I get to avenge the defeat in front of my home supporters,” he said.

Chong Wei will take on Bjoern Joppien of Germany in the first round. Victory will give him a second round match against Japanese Shoji Sato or Poland’s Wacha Przemyslaw.

“There is a possibility for me to meet Hafiz (the world number 10) in the semi-finals. Previously, the top two players from a country go to different halves of the draw,” he said.

“I find it unfair but this is the new ruling. The consolation is that I will not be meeting him (the unseeded Hafiz) in the early rounds.”

Hafiz has a first-round match against Chinese veteran Chen Hong and he also has a Chinese youngster, Chen Jin, in the same quarter.

Denmark’s top two players – Peter Gade-Christensen and Kenneth Jonassen – were drawn in the top half and could meet in the semi-finals.

The likely high hurdle for Gade-Christensen is a projected quarter-final against China’s Chen Yu. Jonassen is expected to play against the winner of the match between Lin Dan and Taufik for a place in the semi-finals.
------------
Formidable foes: The Malaysian Open badminton tournament could not have asked for a more explosive opener – a clash between Lin Dan (left) and Taufik Hidayat.

Hayyaa....I like this draw......:D

erm... den how did u noe his response??
I'm the one talking there.

What about the rest of the schedule? Can't seem to find this on the website and the draw is difficult to read as well as the competitors' names are set far apart in relatively small print.

I understand that the Qualifying Round is on Tue 16, and R1 on Wed, but will the finals be played on Sun 21 (starting what time?).

If the Finals are on Sunday, so SF will be on Saturday, and QF on Friday, which means there will be a R2 on Thursday? Am I correct and what about the start times, any morning, afternoon and evening sessions? :(

I dont have the full schedules. Everything is so slow hehehe. Since i'm not in town the only schedules i have is
16/01/2007 Day 1 Tue 16 Jan. 2007 From 0900 – Qualifying Rounds
17/01/2007 Day 2 Wed 17 Jan. 2007 From 0900 – Qualifying Rounds
From 1400 – Championship Events
18/01/2007 Day 3 Thu 18 Jan. 2007 From 0900 – Championship Events
19/01/2007 Day 4 Fri 19 Jan. 2007 From 1800 – Quarter-final Matches
20/01/2007 Day 5 Sat 20 Jan. 2007 From 1300 – Semi-final Matches
21/01/2007 Day 6 Sun 21 Jan. 2007 From 1300 – All Final Matches

Badminton/Malaysia Open: Minor meets on duo’s minds
11 Jan 2007
K.M. Boopathy


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KOO Kien Keat, shocked with the Malaysia Open men’s doubles draw, believes he and his partner Tan Boon Heong should forget about the Super Series and instead focus on minor tournaments organised by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

A sad scenario indeed as Kien Keat-Boon Heong are the Asian Games champions and yet cannot regularly compete in the Super Series which is supposed to parade the best in badminton.

The Super Series comprises 12 competitions introduced by the BWF to popularise badminton and give players an opportunity to earn better prize money and increase their ranking points.

However, Kien Keat-Boon Heong, ranked World No 119, have to compete in the qualifying rounds of the Malaysia Open which begins at the KLBA Stadium on Tuesday and are out of the next Super Series event, the Korean Open, on Jan 23-28.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong’s place in the main draw has gone to another Malaysian pair Chan Chong Ming-Hoon Thien How, who do not have a world ranking, no thanks to the notional ranking system which gives new players or pairs who have not competed in any tournament, a better chance of making the main draw.

What is worse is that Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who should clear the qualifying rounds by beating former national pair Chew Choon Eng-Hong Chien Hun, will meet Chong Ming-Thien How in the first round of the main draw.

A win will pit them against another Malaysian pair — joint third seeds Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah — and if Kien Keat-Boon Heong survive, they could play yet another Malaysian pair for a fourth time in Lin Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan Tazari in the quarter-finals.

"I am shocked and do not know how to explain this. It is already difficult to play in the qualifying rounds and then meet our teammates in the main draw," said Kien Keat.

"We cannot play in the next Super Series tournament in Korea Open and if the situation remains the same, we must settle for the minor events and improve our world ranking.

"We would prefer playing against pairs from other countries. The toughest is playing against our teammates and we cannot expect much in the Malaysia Open.

"We need to qualify for the World Championships (in Kuala Lumpur in August) and we have no choice but to compete in smaller tournaments."

National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky suggested that BWF should do away with the notional ranking but instead, the governing body has only abolished nationality separation which means players from the same country may compete against each other as early as the first round.

This is the reason why all five Malaysian pairs, including Gan Teik Chai-Zakry Latif, were drawn in the bottom half of the draw.

Indonesia’s top two combinations Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan and Luluk Hadiyanto-Alven Yulianto were also affected as they are likely to meet in the second round.

The BWF may have to review the qualifying structure of the Super Series right after the Malaysia Open as the current scenario is unlikely to give the new format much impact.

Man ... ... DOHA finalists screwing each other in the 1st round, this is the best draw ever!

You read my mind........also this new no separation rule is bad, why? because Lin Dan can get walk-over from Chen Yu, Chen Jin, Bao Chunlai and get first place without hitting a shuttle.....LYB can make it happen.

If the team-mates are seeded, it is pretty hard (or downright impossible) to get them all in the same half. For instance, if you have two team-mates seeded 3/4, then you can only get one team-mate in your own half.

Lin Dan vs Taufik in the first round:eek: ......doesn't anyone see this as a TOTAL FIX? The malaysian official arranged this draw so Lee Chong Wei will have easy victory.
I bet when China Open comes around, you'll see Taufik vs Lee Chong Wei in the FIRST ROUND......:rolleyes:

The draw is done by BWF, not anyone affiliated to BAM. Since Taufik is unseeded, he has an equal chance to match up with anyone in the draw. No, I don't see see this as a TOTAL FIX, not even a PARTIAL FIX.

I agree with hcyong.

The draw is done in front of some official by BWF. DUn think it's a fix one.

The draw for the MD will so terrible, and why KKK/TBH have to play as a qualifier but CCM/HTH don't. This is simply so unfair. :mad: :mad: :mad:

http://www.internationalbadminton.org/mensdoubles.asp?Fname1=&Fname2=&Name1=&Name2=&txtId1=&txtId2=&txtPId=&cboNAC=MAS&Submit=Submit

It's funny. Because CCM/HTH pairing does not a world ranking (because they have never played together more than once in a world ranking event), so their notional ranking were used, meaning SomeMathematicalFunction(WR of CCM/SomeOtherPartner, WR of HTH/SomeOtherParter). Because CCM/KKK and HTH/TBH have high ranking points, therefore CCM/HTH pairing also has high notional rankings.

Meanwhile KKK/TBH pair has a world ranking (from participating in 2 WR events), so they cannot use their notional ranking.

I disagree with this. It penalises strong but recently-formed pairs. My suggestion is to follow tennis' style of ranking each player, not each pair. For instance, CCM, KKK, TBH, HTH will each have their own doubles ranking. (Mixed doubles will have seperate ranking.) If CCM and KKK only ever partner each other, then they will have exactly the same ranking points. I think the overall outlook of the ranking table will also be cleaner. To determine the ranking of a pair (for seeding purposes), just add the two players' ranking points together. Of course, there will be other details to knock out.

I know the change will be drastic but if I were the dictator of the badminton world, I would make this change.

I dont have the full schedules. Everything is so slow hehehe. Since i'm not in town the only schedules i have is
16/01/2007 Day 1 Tue 16 Jan. 2007 From 0900 – Qualifying Rounds
17/01/2007 Day 2 Wed 17 Jan. 2007 From 0900 – Qualifying Rounds
From 1400 – Championship Events
18/01/2007 Day 3 Thu 18 Jan. 2007 From 0900 – Championship Events
19/01/2007 Day 4 Fri 19 Jan. 2007 From 1800 – Quarter-final Matches
20/01/2007 Day 5 Sat 20 Jan. 2007 From 1300 – Semi-final Matches
21/01/2007 Day 6 Sun 21 Jan. 2007 From 1300 – All Final Matches

Thanks ants. Hope I can watch from Friday QF and return Singapore late Sun to enjoy the finals as well. I hope the Finals wont end past midnight. ;)

Btw, anyone from Singapore going up KL the same time?

This system is not perfect yet. Therefore needs improvements.

My suggestion is to follow tennis' style of ranking each player, not each pair. For instance, CCM, KKK, TBH, HTH will each have their own doubles ranking. (Mixed doubles will have seperate ranking.) If CCM and KKK only ever partner each other, then they will have exactly the same ranking points. I think the overall outlook of the ranking table will also be cleaner. To determine the ranking of a pair (for seeding purposes), just add the two players' ranking points together. Of course, there will be other details to knock out.

I know the change will be drastic but if I were the dictator of the badminton world, I would make this change.

Another effect of this change is that it may be harder for nations to play around with the Thomas/Uber Cup doubles lineup by splitting pairs etc.

TH's comment about his unfavourable draw to meet LD at 1st SS:
--"I will enjoy my match against Lin. I haven't set any specific targets at the Super Series", Taufik told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday (09/01/07).

However,the 25-year-old shuttler questioned the draw that he said 'gave a disadvantage to Indonesia'. "It hasn't happened just to me. Look at the men's doubles draw", he said.--

TH seems nothing to lose for next-week battle but uncomfortable situation for LD to test his mental strength (never stop at 1st round after nightmare in Athens/04). All participants will be pleasant of this draw, one of their 2 tough obstacles will certainly out at very early round.

SS is absolutely different from the previous. One consequency to create SS more exclusive is the surprising drawing. Is this effective to make bdm get massive popularity globally?

..hmm, perhaps, maybe all of these "stupefying apprehensions" coming from several of the players and coaches are the result of the new no. of qualified players being eligible in the main draw: 32 rather than 64. If i'm not mistaken, in previous yrs' tourneys/Opens, the main draw esp. in MS and/or WS fields was always, if not most of time, consisted of 64 players plus additional Qualifying Round players.
With the less no. of qualified players being eligible in the main draw this yr, more top players will be facing each other in earlier rounds than previously.
However, if i'm not mistaken, the doubles events has mostly consisted of 32 pairs.

Pitting TH vrs LD in the first round, rather than the finals as we normally expect to see them play, provide badminton fans cheaper first round ticket price than more expensive final round price, and also would ensure packed first round attendance all the way to the final rounds...also, players have to be on their toes and play their best from round one on, not just taking it easy and cruising through to later rounds as happened in the past...this draw changes the status quo, let's sit back and see if it works. ;)

I really hope to see lee hyun-il..still not sure whether or not his playing-his name not in the draw right? BAM please explain!

it's harder to play with the insider than the outsider. Poor KKK/TBH. They said they put 100% effort if they face outsider. But now...Sob...Sob....Cry a river and drown the whole world.

16/01/2007 Day 1 Tue 16 Jan. 2007 From 0900 – Qualifying Rounds

17/01/2007 Day 2 Wed 17 Jan. 2007 From 0900 – Qualifying Rounds

From 1400 – Championship Events ------------------------------------

18/01/2007 Day 3 Thu 18 Jan. 2007 From 0900 – Championship Events

19/01/2007 Day 4 Fri 19 Jan. 2007 From 1800 – Quarter-final Matches

20/01/2007 Day 5 Sat 20 Jan. 2007 From 1300 – Semi-final Matches

21/01/2007 Day 6 Sun 21 Jan. 2007 From 1300 – All Final Matches

--------------------------------------------------------------------

from the schedule above provided by ants earlier .. it seems tat on 17 January @ 2 pm would be the match between LD vs TH ! ... woooohoooo never in the world first round match is gonna be a packed badminton hall ... well at least none that i can remember la .. hahaha this is tooooo coooool !!!

Pitting TH vrs LD in the first round, rather than the finals as we normally expect to see them play, provide badminton fans cheaper first round ticket price than more expensive final round price, and also would ensure packed first round attendance all the way to the final rounds...also, players have to be on their toes and play their best from round one on, not just taking it easy and cruising through to later rounds as happened in the past...this draw changes the status quo, let's sit back and see if it works. ;)

And thanks to TH for ranking low this year to make this happen.

from the schedule above provided by ants earlier .. it seems tat on 17 January @ 2 pm would be the match between LD vs TH ! ... woooohoooo never in the world first round match is gonna be a packed badminton hall ... well at least none that i can remember la .. hahaha this is tooooo coooool !!!

From thestar.com.my (Friday 12 Jan 2007)

Plum tie to be rescheduled

PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have been bombarded with calls on the start time of the plum first-round men’s singles match between world champion Lin Dan of China and the Olympic and Asian Games winner Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia.

In view of the mass public interest, the BAM have proposed to the tournament referee to reschedule the match for 6pm on Wednesday instead of 11am.

The match is set to draw a bumper crowd to the stadium.

hmmm, if you are the malaysian MD coach, how would you advise your MD teams? Beat each other (team mates) up or employ LYB's game plan?:D

hmmm, if you are the malaysian MD coach, how would you advise your MD teams? Beat each other (team mates) up or employ LYB's game plan?:D
That's a nice question.:D :D :D If I will Rexy, I will tell other malaysian MD to give way for KKK/TBH to win, so that they can beat the outsiders in the final. Oops, that's cheating. What am I saying?:D Just kidding. I will never ever follow LYB's stupid game plan.(No offense;) )

I don't think Rexy will have to resort to such tactics. May the best pair wins.

lin dan vs taufik is wat day? is it 17/1?

LD vs TH in the 1st round :p Hope he send TH home first :D JIA YOU!!! :p hehe :p ;) :)

http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=13163 oh look guys a "better-looking" draw..finally tournament software's including the superseries..

The new draw system is no very good :D :p :rolleyes: 4 Malaysian Pairs in 1 half :eek:
Woahhh :D hehe ;)

it took TH 3 games in Doha before he beat LD, hopefully he will remember how to play him properly.
the result will be decided on the quality of TH's net play, if it's nice and tight, then TH should win, otherwise i'll give the edge to LD.

he beat lindan straight games in the asian games individual finals right?

what a first round for MS ... wish i could go ... will definitely want to see LD vs TH and CH vs Hafiz, should be crackers!

he beat lindan straight games in the asian games individual finals right?

yup, though he nearly lost a big lead in game 2. what i meant was that he lost 2 games previously to LD in the team event.

http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament.aspx?id=13163 oh look guys a "better-looking" draw..finally tournament software's including the superseries..
...provider for all the Super Series events' draws & results this yr, at least that's what was announced in one of BWF's meetings last yr. It's a pretty good & reliable source.;) :cool:

nice improvement.... due to last year "super series" like indonesia open has no live score....
at least that's what they've done what it's need to be done for promote badminton as one of "the world sport" or we should call it the sport the almost out of the olympic...

Hi Man.. ranking 12 not low.. Last time TH Rangking 25 and only 2 weeks he can go to rangking 12.....


And thanks to TH for ranking low this year to make this happen.

yup, though he nearly lost a big lead in game 2. what i meant was that he lost 2 games previously to LD in the team event.

So if LD could take the match into the 3rd set, then I think he'll be fitter :)
Jia you :D :p

Taufik have have an upperhand if he take the 1st game. However Lindan is known for his Game 3 comeback. This is going to be a tough one. But personally Lindan want to win this MO more than anyone else. Believe me. He wanted to have a Malaysia Open title under his belt badly.

Taufik have have an upperhand if he take the 1st game. However Lindan is known for his Game 3 comeback. This is going to be a tough one. But personally Lindan want to win this MO more than anyone else. Believe me. He wanted to have a Malaysia Open title under his belt badly.
...after what happened last yr and the debacle during the winner ceremony..:rolleyes: :p :o :( ;)

Taufik have have an upperhand if he take the 1st game. However Lindan is known for his Game 3 comeback. This is going to be a tough one. But personally Lindan want to win this MO more than anyone else. Believe me. He wanted to have a Malaysia Open title under his belt badly.

Ants, you know this is an early round game and these two guys would not want to exit so early. So, what it means is that the game would be at its very best......a lot of energy ! And that would also mean, they would be a used up early. The more I look at it, the more I think LCW will be well positioned with his easy early two rounds. LD/TH will continue to have tough rounds after facing each other.

:) :) :) :) :) LCW, U beauty !

Ants, you know this is an early round game and these two guys would not want to exit so early. So, what it means is that the game would be at its very best......a lot of energy ! And that would also mean, they would be a used up early. The more I look at it, the more I think LCW will be well positioned with his easy early two rounds. LD/TH will continue to have tough rounds after facing each other.

:) :) :) :) :) LCW, U beauty !
LCW may have an easier first 2 rounds, but after that his opponents are a lot tougher from BCL, CJ and then TH or LD. Whereas TH or LD would face much easier 2nd round opponents onwards to the final! :)

LCW may have an easier first 2 rounds, but after that his opponents are a lot tougher from BCL, CJ and then TH or LD. Whereas TH or LD would face much easier 2nd round opponents onwards to the final! :)

Not true. LD or TH has a tough one in rd 3 against Kenneth. And from there it is not going to be easy games either.

what time is the match on monday?

matches start on Tuesday. Starts 9am. Qualifying rounds. People in MS Qualifiers will HAVE TO WIN 3 MATCHES on TUESDAY to make it to the First round on MONDAY

Freaky schedule!!!

hi~! can anyone tell me where can u guys know which matches came first...?
and what time does LD vs TH ...?
thanks....

No doubt LD wants to take revenge on both TH and LCW. He might just succeed if his preparations are thorough and he maintains in good physical condition throughout.

TH could lose because, unlike the Olympics, the WC and the Asian Games, I don't think he considers the MO important enough.
However, it is different for LCW, the defending champion on home ground. He will definitely give of his best just like last year but it will be his most difficult outing against a highly motivated LD who wants to prove that he remains the world number one from the start of 2007.

hey, how can i watch the match live, online? does anyone know the link ? pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.... i really wanna watch LD vs TH live !!!!!

Not true. LD or TH has a tough one in rd 3 against Kenneth. And from there it is not going to be easy games either.
Kenneth is a better pick to play against than the "3 giant bricks that comprise the chinese great wall" BCL, CH or CJ and then LD/TH consecutively.

I don't regards the 3 Chinese as bricks. They are 3 huge slabs of concrete! Kenneth needs to be tougher than a sledgehammer to bring them down.

No doubt LD wants to take revenge on both TH and LCW. He might just succeed if his preparations are thorough and he maintains in good physical condition throughout.

TH could lose because, unlike the Olympics, the WC and the Asian Games, I don't think he considers the MO important enough.
However, it is different for LCW, the defending champion on home ground. He will definitely give of his best just like last year but it will be his most difficult outing against a highly motivated LD who wants to prove that he remains the world number one from the start of 2007.

Year 2007 will be the year of TH's Return....

I wish I could be in KL today...TH has returned....Wow...what a first round? I guess this is the MOST NERVE-RACKING and MUST-SEE MS first round the history of Badminton......

My feeling, TH will easily defeat LD in straight sets:) .....
TH's current self confidence and physical fitness are in good condition:)

I don't regards the 3 Chinese as bricks. They are 3 huge slabs of concrete! Kenneth needs to be tougher than a sledgehammer to bring them down.

Ha ha ha...if BCL, CH & CJ are bricks, how about LD and TH.....Great Wall & Mt Merapi????

Ha ha ha...if BCL, CH & CJ are bricks, how about LD and TH.....Great Wall & Mt Merapi????

Three bricks don't make a WALL and yes, you guys are right --- TH, LD and LCW will be the WALL for this Open.

No doubt LD wants to take revenge on both TH and LCW. He might just succeed if his preparations are thorough and he maintains in good physical condition throughout.

TH could lose because, unlike the Olympics, the WC and the Asian Games, I don't think he considers the MO important enough.
However, it is different for LCW, the defending champion on home ground. He will definitely give of his best just like last year but it will be his most difficult outing against a highly motivated LD who wants to prove that he remains the world number one from the start of 2007.
i think TH like to try for the OG one more time and to qualify 08 OG he has to play well in 07 super series. To do well in super series, he has to get out of the low ranking.

Year 2007 will be the year of TH's Return....

I wish I could be in KL today...TH has returned....Wow...what a first round? I guess this is the MOST NERVE-RACKING and MUST-SEE MS first round the history of Badminton......

My feeling, TH will easily defeat LD in straight sets:) .....
TH's current self confidence and physical fitness are in good condition:)

I think the "match of the MO" will be played tomorrow, since today is qualifying round. But the "tumultous" match will be shifted from the morning to evening I think, so that more LD and TH fans can enjoy the spectacle, less Indra.

But I'll get to see at least the winner (hopefully) on Friday's QF with hcyong with whom I'll be riding the 6-hr journey bus to KL early morning. Our good friend Terry will meet up with us. How nice if Indra can come too, especially if the winner turns out to be TH! :D

i think TH like to try for the OG one more time and to qualify 08 OG he has to play well in 07 super series. To do well in super series, he has to get out of the low ranking.

Very true. The Olympics will be meaningless without the reigning champion. But TH will sure to come to Singapore for the Aviva Open, as ranking points for the Beijing Olympics only start counting then. That's why, I'll be waiting for TH in Spore, come 30th April to 6th May.

Question is, will Indra come to support TH in person as well? ;)

I think the "match of the MO" will be played tomorrow, since today is qualifying round. But the "tumultous" match will be shifted from the morning to evening I think, so that more LD and TH fans can enjoy the spectacle, less Indra.

But I'll get to see at least the winner (hopefully) on Friday's QF with hcyong with whom I'll be riding the 6-hr journey bus to KL early morning. Our good friend Terry will meet up with us. How nice if Indra can come too, especially if the winner turns out to be TH! :D

U should drive -- 3.5 hrs only.:)

U should drive -- 3.5 hrs only.:)

I'm a very poor driver so I'll wait until the "Bullet Train" is set in motion ...in ??
Then I reach KL in 90 min? What a breeze! :)

I don't regards the 3 Chinese as bricks. They are 3 huge slabs of concrete! Kenneth needs to be tougher than a sledgehammer to bring them down.
You are correct that the 3 chinese are "slabs of concrete" but what I implied is LCW has a tougher time facing the " 3 slabs of concrete" consecutively from the QF onwards than for LD/TH to face Kenneth (if Peter Gade is out), after all Kenneth career is fading.

You are correct that the 3 chinese are "slabs of concrete" but what I implied is LCW has a tougher time facing the " 3 slabs of concrete" consecutively from the QF onwards than for LD/TH to face Kenneth (if Peter Gade is out), after all Kenneth career is fading.


Kenneth will change your thots about him after his game. He is firing on all fours I heard.

Taufik have have an upperhand if he take the 1st game. However Lindan is known for his Game 3 comeback. This is going to be a tough one. But personally Lindan want to win this MO more than anyone else. Believe me. He wanted to have a Malaysia Open title under his belt badly.

Is the MO that prestigious?
TH is delighted to meet LD in the first round because that's when he's got the most stamina. When he said,'I will enjoy my match with LD' ,it signals his confidence and that he will be even fresh enough to take LD out in 3 games.He indicated 'no target' but chances are his target is to humble LD further.
TH will aim to do well because he wants to be among the top 8 for the year-end bigger money Masters.

I'm a very poor driver so I'll wait until the "Bullet Train" is set in motion ...in ??
Then I reach KL in 90 min? What a breeze! :)

Agree with you on taking the bus even if you are a good driver. But what kind of bus are you taking? 6.5 hours? Usually can be done in 4.5 or 5 hours. Maybe it's the timing. I've heard 8am buses get caught in peak hour traffic all the way, the worst being the immigration checkpoints. Try the 11am timing or 12nn.Journey's a breeze all the way.You'll be in KL before 4 or 5pm.

Is the MO that prestigious?
TH is delighted to meet LD in the first round because that's when he's got the most stamina. When he said,'I will enjoy my match with LD' ,it signals his confidence and that he will be even fresh enough to take LD out in 3 games.He indicated 'no target' but chances are his target is to humble LD further.
TH will aim to do well because he wants to be among the top 8 for the year-end bigger money Masters.

Yes, TH will have the energy because it is the 1st round for him. And I think if he carries his form from the Asian Games into this, he will be hard to beat.

But LD wants revenge and will try to wear TH down. This is going to be an extremely tiring game, and the winner may have to fight yet another long and big battle after that with K.Johansen who is at his mighty best (fitness & all).

After this tiring throughfare, either of them will end up facing.......yes, you know it....LCW ! As I see it, LCW needs to keep this in mind --- he would face some tired legs giving him a real edge to polish them off.

This is potentially going to be a good tournament for LCW. Don't waste it ! I am quietly thinking :rolleyes: this might end up K. Johannsen vs LCW perhaps.

Agree with you on taking the bus even if you are a good driver. But what kind of bus are you taking? 6.5 hours? Usually can be done in 4.5 or 5 hours. Maybe it's the timing. I've heard 8am buses get caught in peak hour traffic all the way, the worst being the immigration checkpoints. Try the 11am timing or 12nn.Journey's a breeze all the way.You'll be in KL before 4 or 5pm.

I think you're right, the timing does make a difference.

I took a different coach the last time, "Nice" (versus Transtar now) and it reached KL in about 5 hrs with one major stop. It cost more as it was a double decker.

I've committed to Transtar for the outward trip but I need to get another bus company to take me home because Transtar departs KL at 7 pm, a bit too early to leave the Finals which could end later, but I hope not. A midnight bus will suit me fine as then I'll arrive Spore not too early nor too late for the office! Our KL friend Terry has been most helpful. :)

In any case, I haven't driven up KL for a long, long time now. The super highways maybe many times better than the old roads, but they could prove more dangerous as more drivers are tempted to speed. I hope our bus driver will be more careful and keep to his speed limit and not to doze off while driving at night. :D

Year 2007 will be the year of TH's Return....

I wish I could be in KL today...TH has returned....Wow...what a first round? I guess this is the MOST NERVE-RACKING and MUST-SEE MS first round the history of Badminton......

My feeling, TH will easily defeat LD in straight sets:) .....
TH's current self confidence and physical fitness are in good condition:)
yes, indra - taufik's best supporter..
i agree wit you but not wit the word easily though....

yay! KKK/TBH are into round 1 vs CCM/HTH tmr. AG no.1 vs KLO no.1 should be a very exciting match!:D but I only can watch the live score instead the live match :mad:

Ya..I believe that they will have a tight match..Me too,only can watch in front of the computer...But its really hard to predict who will win coz they are just too familiar with each other..May the best pair win...

yay! KKK/TBH are into round 1 vs CCM/HTH tmr. AG no.1 vs KLO no.1 should be a very exciting match!:D but I only can watch the live score instead the live match :mad:

I wonder they still have that soft compassion for one another since the four of them were ex-partners. But I doubt it since KKK/TBH must be fuming mad that as AG no.1 they still have to qualify for the Main Draw. :D

Wow...what a first round? I guess this is the MOST NERVE-RACKING and MUST-SEE MS first round the history of Badminton......

My feeling, TH will easily defeat LD in straight sets:) .....
TH's current self confidence and physical fitness are in good condition:)

The biggest match to start off 2007 :D :p I predict TH could defeat in straight sets or LD defeat TH in three sets ;) :) :D hehe :rolleyes:

The biggest match to start off 2007 :D :p I predict TH could defeat in straight sets or LD defeat TH in three sets ;) :) :D hehe :rolleyes:
NO NO NO...:D LD will defeat TH in straight games this time!:cool: