Was the LD vs LCW gold medal final the best match ever?

**galaxyduo** · 08-05-2012, 09:39 PM

Well, people talk abou t the greatest Tennis match ever being the 2008 Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal. But I think we just witnessed the greatest singles match ever for badminton.

I have been watching badminton for over 20 years and I have never seen such a match as last night. Frankly, I don't think we will ever see a match like that again because both players really, really wanted to win that gold medal. While winning the WC again would be nice for LD, I don't think he values it as much because he has won it several times. As for AE, both have won it already (LD winning it several times) so it's not as big as an achievement anymore.

Also, once the players reach the age of 30, their stamina & speed will start deteriorating. Even if both players survive until the next Olympics in 2016 and still remain the top two badminton players in the world, we know that they will not be the same as their form in 2012.

Do you think this was the best singles match ever? Perhaps even the best badminton match ever?

**smashitup** · 08-05-2012, 10:40 PM

Great match. The conditions I thought spoiled it a bit. A fair few errors due to the 'breeze'.

**morpheus** · 08-05-2012, 11:00 PM

The World Championship last year at the same arena is still the best. Less unforced errors and more 'magical' points.

**F1_shuttle** · 08-05-2012, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by smashitup

Great match. The conditions I thought spoiled it a bit. A fair few errors due to the 'breeze'.

The drift was quite significant wasn't it? I saw a replay of one point and you could see the shuttle move sideways! It was going out and ended up landing inside the line

**green_day** · 08-05-2012, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by morpheus

The World Championship last year at the same arena is still the best. Less unforced errors and more 'magical' points.

I don't think LD's form at the WC last year was as good as this Olympics though. LD usually has intense training prior to the Olympics. Also, LCW's defense was a level higher in the gold medal final. I think both LD and LCW had better form for this Olympics.

**Jasonvan** · 08-05-2012, 11:33 PM

It was a good match with a few memorable points but I wouldn't call it the best ever... The drift did have something to do with it, also both of the players did make some uncharacteristic unforced errors as well...

**george@chongwei** · 08-05-2012, 11:45 PM

Surely the best match ever played by both players after last year's WC Final. I'm sure we won't see this kind of match in a long time to come..Thumbs up to both players yesterday...

**limsy** · 08-05-2012, 11:59 PM

well
some millimeter behind 2011 world championship ms final.

**undeadshot** · 08-06-2012, 12:01 AM

I think last year's WC final was better. The breeze spoiled this final by a little bit and we didn't see that many long, drawn out and energy-sapping rallies yesterday compared to the WC last year where things were almost magical.

**runningpig001** · 08-06-2012, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by morpheus

The World Championship last year at the same arena is still the best. Less unforced errors and more 'magical' points.

Totally agree.

**V1lau** · 08-06-2012, 12:06 AM

If we're talking about badminton quality, I would give the WC11 a slight edge. Giving the history and the stakes of the match, I want to say LO12, it certainly the most entertaining Olympic MSF in my opinion.

**pcll99** · 08-06-2012, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by morpheus

The World Championship last year at the same arena is still the best. Less unforced errors and more 'magical' points.

yes.

Last night, there was much more pressure than last year's World Championship.

**King's** · 08-06-2012, 12:21 AM

IMHO, it was not specifically the best encounter between the 2 titans of badminton but the buildup certainly adds to the drama, excitement and intensity.

**superdick** · 08-06-2012, 12:37 AM

definitely not the best in any measure.

let us just focus on men's singles

a)
if it is a master-class badminton, then 2 matches come to mind

- zhao jianhua vs joko suprianto in all england
- lin dan vs lee chong wei in beijing 2008

b)
if it is excitement and on-the-edge thrill

- rashid sidek vs ardy wiranata in thomas cup 92
- ji xinpeng vs hendrawan in sydney 2000

**galaxyduo** · 08-06-2012, 12:54 AM

Hmm, I guess I agree to disagree with the majority here. I may need to go back and review the WC 11 finals, but from memory, I did not see LCW with such a high level of defense at the WC 11 finals. LD could not even kill LCW with half court smashes last night - LD literally had to kill LCW by smashing from the net!