Li-Ning Singapore International Series 2012

[Loh]

Singapore's Xing Aiying (#2), the eventual WS winner, had an easier time with another Taiwanese, Chen Hsiao Huan (#7) during the other WS SF. But Chen showed great fighting spirit and extended the time to 38 min.

TPE sent quite a strong team, especially in doubles. I was told most of the players came from the clubs, just as many of the Japanese players did.

[Loh]

In the MS semis, Singapore's Ashton Chen (#1) managed to beat Indonesia's Dharma Alrie Guna (#3) in straight games.

Actually Dharma put up a very good and entertaining fight despite what the scores showed.

[Loh]

The scratch pair of Chayut and Ng caused quite an upset when they beat the Indonesian pair of Alfian and Gloria. However they eventually lost to the Taiwanese in the finals.

I was told that Chayut's former partner, Yao Lei, will concentrate on WD.

[Loh]

The Ng sisters lost narrowly to the Japanese pair in 50 min.

[Loh]

The all TPE MD was a display of speed and power which Liang and Liao won convincingly 21-11, 21-15.

[Loh]

This last match of the afternoon provided the most excitment that ended in just over an hour.

In fact the match was decided in the very first game as the remaining games were of reverse identical scores.

Both players sought to set up for an eventual attack and at the end of the day the younger and faster Thammasin seemed to carry a more powerful smash. We shall see more of this young Thai in the near future. He also eliminated the more experienced Indian, Anup Sridhar (#4) in straight games in the SF.

[Loh]

Winners of the WS, WD and XD and some pics of their action.

[george@chongwei]

Glad to see nova widianto is back to the badminton scene, this time as a coach... guiding young ina stars in the xd category