kwun
05-04-2002, 12:19 PM
Malaysia relish prospect of meeting Thomas Cup hosts
By JAMES WONG - Star Online
THEY are the hosts, they are the clear favourites. But Malaysia, the second seeds, have every chance of pulling the carpet from under China. But then, so do several of the other contenders like defending champions Indonesia, top seeds China, South Korea and Denmark. Today, we take a look at how Malaysia will fare against four-time winners China, who are hosting the Finals for the first time.
PETALING JAYA: If the world rankings of their players are used as a yardstick, China, with home ground advantage as well, are the clear favourites for the Thomas Cup title.
But in a team event like the Thomas Cup, statistics are never a guarantee of success and Malaysia will be privately wishing that they can set up a semi-final date with the hosts at the Finals in Guangzhou from May 9-19.
That is because Malaysia have a real chance of getting past China and into their fourth final in a decade, notwithstanding the prowess of their singles players.
China are in Group A with fellow contenders South Korea and Denmark but the hosts are tipped to finish as the group leaders which could mean a semi-final clash with Malaysia, who are in Group B and are expected to finish second behind the formidable Indonesians.
Although parading a less formidable line-up in terms of world rankings, Malaysia will be a serious threat for all five points – in the three singles and two doubles matches – against China.
In the singles, China have world No.1 Xia Xuanze, playing in his second Thomas Cup Finals, along with youngsters Lin Dan and Bao Chunlai, the second and third ranked players in the world respectively.
Lin Dan, however, will be positioned as the third player in the squad because he was behind Chunlai in the world rankings released on April 18, which will be used to determine the order of the teams for the Finals.
The heel injury to world No. 4 Chen Hong may be causing a nagging doubt in the Chinese camp but the gritty Chinese, seen as a key third singles player because of his experience and mental fortitude, should be fit for crucial ties, judging from reports from the mainland.
In the doubles, China can boast of the fourth best world pairs in Zhang Wei-Zhang Jun but the knee injury suffered by the former during training could be good news to Malaysia.
The Chinese’s second doubles pair of Chen Rui-Wang Wei are regarded as their weakest link but China will be hoping they can seal the tie before then.
Malaysia’s strategy will be to win a point in the singles and take both the doubles to deny China the passage to the final.
With this in mind, Malaysia might just decide to drop Wong Choong Hann, the world No. 5, at first singles and promote skipper Ong Ewe Hock to an expected tie against Xuanze.
Choong Hann, 25, has a miserable record against Xuanze, having lost, albeit narrowly, to the 23-year-old Chinese in all their previous six meetings, including their encounter in the China Open final last year.
Ewe Hock, on the other hand, has never lost to Xuanze in four clashes, with the Malaysian emerging the victor at their quarter-final meeting at the Korean Open in March.
Malaysia may elect to play either Mohd Hafiz Hashim or Lee Tsuen Seng at second singles against Chunlai or Lin Dan and it would be a close match between young upstarts fighting to make their names.
The crucial third singles should see veteran Roslin Hashim taking to the court against Chen Hong but this time, the Chinese holds the advantage in their earlier clashes.
Reigning All-England champion Chen Hong was the conqueror in five of their six meetings, including their more recent at last year’s All-England semi-final stage. However, his injury could give Roslin an advantage.
Malaysia will be banking on their two doubles pairs to clinch the points earlier, with debutants Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng, the current world No. 1, expected to triumph over Zhang Wei-Zhang Jun.
In addition, Malaysia have a strong second doubles in Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah who should have no problem against Chen Rui-Wang Wei. The only question would be if Wan Wah can shake off his knee problems and play to his true potential.
For many, China are dangerous opponents. But, given the circumstances, they may be the rivals Malaysia will be hoping to meet in the semi-finals. The Chinese will be under pressure to win. That, too, could work in Malaysia’s favour.
By JAMES WONG - Star Online
THEY are the hosts, they are the clear favourites. But Malaysia, the second seeds, have every chance of pulling the carpet from under China. But then, so do several of the other contenders like defending champions Indonesia, top seeds China, South Korea and Denmark. Today, we take a look at how Malaysia will fare against four-time winners China, who are hosting the Finals for the first time.
PETALING JAYA: If the world rankings of their players are used as a yardstick, China, with home ground advantage as well, are the clear favourites for the Thomas Cup title.
But in a team event like the Thomas Cup, statistics are never a guarantee of success and Malaysia will be privately wishing that they can set up a semi-final date with the hosts at the Finals in Guangzhou from May 9-19.
That is because Malaysia have a real chance of getting past China and into their fourth final in a decade, notwithstanding the prowess of their singles players.
China are in Group A with fellow contenders South Korea and Denmark but the hosts are tipped to finish as the group leaders which could mean a semi-final clash with Malaysia, who are in Group B and are expected to finish second behind the formidable Indonesians.
Although parading a less formidable line-up in terms of world rankings, Malaysia will be a serious threat for all five points – in the three singles and two doubles matches – against China.
In the singles, China have world No.1 Xia Xuanze, playing in his second Thomas Cup Finals, along with youngsters Lin Dan and Bao Chunlai, the second and third ranked players in the world respectively.
Lin Dan, however, will be positioned as the third player in the squad because he was behind Chunlai in the world rankings released on April 18, which will be used to determine the order of the teams for the Finals.
The heel injury to world No. 4 Chen Hong may be causing a nagging doubt in the Chinese camp but the gritty Chinese, seen as a key third singles player because of his experience and mental fortitude, should be fit for crucial ties, judging from reports from the mainland.
In the doubles, China can boast of the fourth best world pairs in Zhang Wei-Zhang Jun but the knee injury suffered by the former during training could be good news to Malaysia.
The Chinese’s second doubles pair of Chen Rui-Wang Wei are regarded as their weakest link but China will be hoping they can seal the tie before then.
Malaysia’s strategy will be to win a point in the singles and take both the doubles to deny China the passage to the final.
With this in mind, Malaysia might just decide to drop Wong Choong Hann, the world No. 5, at first singles and promote skipper Ong Ewe Hock to an expected tie against Xuanze.
Choong Hann, 25, has a miserable record against Xuanze, having lost, albeit narrowly, to the 23-year-old Chinese in all their previous six meetings, including their encounter in the China Open final last year.
Ewe Hock, on the other hand, has never lost to Xuanze in four clashes, with the Malaysian emerging the victor at their quarter-final meeting at the Korean Open in March.
Malaysia may elect to play either Mohd Hafiz Hashim or Lee Tsuen Seng at second singles against Chunlai or Lin Dan and it would be a close match between young upstarts fighting to make their names.
The crucial third singles should see veteran Roslin Hashim taking to the court against Chen Hong but this time, the Chinese holds the advantage in their earlier clashes.
Reigning All-England champion Chen Hong was the conqueror in five of their six meetings, including their more recent at last year’s All-England semi-final stage. However, his injury could give Roslin an advantage.
Malaysia will be banking on their two doubles pairs to clinch the points earlier, with debutants Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng, the current world No. 1, expected to triumph over Zhang Wei-Zhang Jun.
In addition, Malaysia have a strong second doubles in Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah who should have no problem against Chen Rui-Wang Wei. The only question would be if Wan Wah can shake off his knee problems and play to his true potential.
For many, China are dangerous opponents. But, given the circumstances, they may be the rivals Malaysia will be hoping to meet in the semi-finals. The Chinese will be under pressure to win. That, too, could work in Malaysia’s favour.