george@chongwei
11-17-2007, 10:17 PM
http://www.badzine.info/images/stories/News/LEE.Chong.Wei-T24-MAS-YL-FrenchOpen2007.jpgThe China Badminton Open will kick off next week in Guangzhou, China, for the first of the last two legs of the Super Series circuit. As always, the first rounds will see some impressive showdowns.
By Raphael Sachetat. Photos: Badmintonphoto.Com (archives)
Taufik Hidayat vs. Bao Chunlai. Lee Chong Wei vs. Boonsak Ponsana. Wong Choong Hann vs. Sony Dwi Kuncoro. Peter Gade vs. Simon Santoso. These are some of the matches to be seen on day one of the China Open, held in Guangzhou next week. The Indonesians have had a tough draw, in spite of their world ranking – all top three shuttlers from PBSI are within the top 10, yet will be playing tough opponents – two seeded players and Wong Choong Hann, who did very well last time he was in China – reaching the final of the China Masters Super Series.
Lee Chong Wei (photo), meanwhile, will be looking for his fourth title of the year after his great autumn. He played some of his best badminton in Japan and France to be the Champion, a few months after his title in Indonesia. Seeded number 2, he is set to clash with Dwi Kuncoro in the quarter-finals, for a rematch of the World Championships, where the Indonesian killed Lee's dreams. Top seed Lin Dan has Park Sung Hwan as a starter.
Tine Ramsussen and Xie Xingfang could meet again for the third time in 2 months as early as the second round. Each has a victory as the Dane beat the top seed for the first time in Japan, and Xie answered with a win in three games in Paris a fortnight ago. Xie – who is from Guangzhou originally - and Zhang could be meeting once again in the final. China, however, is at full strength with 6 players in the main draw.
Denmark is sending 5 pairs in the men’s doubles, hoping for a better showing than in France, where all pairs lost in the early rounds. Top seeds Tan and Koo are set to meet compatriots Lee/Choong as early as the quarter-finals, while Cai and Fu, French Open winners, are second seeds and start their campaign for a second Super Series win at home with a match against Malaysia’s Abdul Latif/Tazari.
http://www.badzine.info/images/stories/News/GAO.Ling.Autograph-02-DIV-YL-WorldChampionships2007.jpg6 pairs from China – amongst which the surprising combination of Gao Ling (photo) and Zhao Tingting – will be out to avenge their humiliation of China Masters, last march, where they left the title to Marissa and Natsir on home soil. The Indonesians will avoid the top Chinese pairs until the semi-finals, which they can only reach if they beat Chinese Taipei’s Chien and Cheng.
The mixed doubles draw is also at full strength with all top pairs set to play for the title – England, Indonesia, Denmark and of course, China have sent their very best.
In spite of this being one of the last Super Series tournaments, the players and officials are still waiting for an announcement on the Super Series Finals. Scheduled originally from December 18th to 23rd, the organizers have yet to confirm the holding of the event which seems to have logistical problems. The event, supposed to be held in Qatar, could be changed to Malaysia at a later date: it has yet to be confirmed by officials.
By Raphael Sachetat. Photos: Badmintonphoto.Com (archives)
Taufik Hidayat vs. Bao Chunlai. Lee Chong Wei vs. Boonsak Ponsana. Wong Choong Hann vs. Sony Dwi Kuncoro. Peter Gade vs. Simon Santoso. These are some of the matches to be seen on day one of the China Open, held in Guangzhou next week. The Indonesians have had a tough draw, in spite of their world ranking – all top three shuttlers from PBSI are within the top 10, yet will be playing tough opponents – two seeded players and Wong Choong Hann, who did very well last time he was in China – reaching the final of the China Masters Super Series.
Lee Chong Wei (photo), meanwhile, will be looking for his fourth title of the year after his great autumn. He played some of his best badminton in Japan and France to be the Champion, a few months after his title in Indonesia. Seeded number 2, he is set to clash with Dwi Kuncoro in the quarter-finals, for a rematch of the World Championships, where the Indonesian killed Lee's dreams. Top seed Lin Dan has Park Sung Hwan as a starter.
Tine Ramsussen and Xie Xingfang could meet again for the third time in 2 months as early as the second round. Each has a victory as the Dane beat the top seed for the first time in Japan, and Xie answered with a win in three games in Paris a fortnight ago. Xie – who is from Guangzhou originally - and Zhang could be meeting once again in the final. China, however, is at full strength with 6 players in the main draw.
Denmark is sending 5 pairs in the men’s doubles, hoping for a better showing than in France, where all pairs lost in the early rounds. Top seeds Tan and Koo are set to meet compatriots Lee/Choong as early as the quarter-finals, while Cai and Fu, French Open winners, are second seeds and start their campaign for a second Super Series win at home with a match against Malaysia’s Abdul Latif/Tazari.
http://www.badzine.info/images/stories/News/GAO.Ling.Autograph-02-DIV-YL-WorldChampionships2007.jpg6 pairs from China – amongst which the surprising combination of Gao Ling (photo) and Zhao Tingting – will be out to avenge their humiliation of China Masters, last march, where they left the title to Marissa and Natsir on home soil. The Indonesians will avoid the top Chinese pairs until the semi-finals, which they can only reach if they beat Chinese Taipei’s Chien and Cheng.
The mixed doubles draw is also at full strength with all top pairs set to play for the title – England, Indonesia, Denmark and of course, China have sent their very best.
In spite of this being one of the last Super Series tournaments, the players and officials are still waiting for an announcement on the Super Series Finals. Scheduled originally from December 18th to 23rd, the organizers have yet to confirm the holding of the event which seems to have logistical problems. The event, supposed to be held in Qatar, could be changed to Malaysia at a later date: it has yet to be confirmed by officials.