I do not regularly follow women's doubles. However, I had a chance in the last few days to watch the wd finals of the China Open and what I saw happen during the first game truly amazed me. In the match between Yang/Zhang vs. Wei/Zhao the score stood at 14-14 with the latter with the serve. The umpire asked Yang/Zhang whether they wished to set to 17 and they refused!!! Wow, refusing to set despite not having the serve?? Yang/Zhang subsequently won both games and the championship. These girls have such supreme confidence in their abilities and I believe they are the stuff true champions are made of.
Was it 1st service or 2nd service at that time? If it is 2nd service, not setting to 17 can put a lot of pressure on Wei/Zhao (who are much less experienced than Yang).
True, but take that kind of risk? You'd have to be pretty confident to do that. Know of anyone else who has done that in a championship grand prix?
Firstly, it is wrong to ask, "refusing to set despite not having the serve?". Because you can only refuse if you are not serving. The decision to set or not to set is up to the receiving player(s) only. Not setting is more common than you may think. In both doubles and singles, there were numerous occasions. Even in casual play, it is a common strategy. Having said that, refusing to set when your opponents still have two serves is unheard of.
How were you able to watch the WD finals? I'm a big fan of Zhang Jiewen and Zhao Tingting. I also want to see Taufik vs. Lin Dan(Indo Open).
Hmmmm, in casual play yes, but then there is very little at stake in casual games. Also, judging from the comments of the lady commentator ( who has been doing it for more than a decade ), which was one of utter surprise ( with comments like " my goodness " or to that effect ), not setting may not be as common as YOU may think.
Solar sports. They show old games at 3PM every tuesday to friday. Last week I was able to watch the German 2004 MS, WS and WD finals. This week though it has been the recently concluded Korean Open. As to the Taufik-Lin Dan match, I believe Solar only shows finals matches. If I am not mistaken that match was a semifinal. Try checking with Han as he has DVD's of many matches at very reasonable prices.
I think you are wrong about setting. It is wrong to say that "The decision to set or not to set is up to the receiving player(s) only" According to the Laws/Rules of Badminton, the decision to set is as follows:7.5 If the score becomes 14-all (10-all in women’s singles), the side which first scored 14 (10) shall choose either Law 7.5.1 or 7.5.2: 7.5.1 to continue the game to 15 (11) points, ie not to ‘set’ the game; or 7.5.2 to ‘set’ the game to 17 (13) points. The WD in China Open watched by prince_user was likey to be a situation like this: Yang/Zhang vs. Wei/Zhao Scores at 14:13; Service over to Wei/Zhao ; 1st serve no score; 2nd serve score 1 point to 14:14; Umpire asked Yang/Zhang whether they wished to set to 17 according to Rule 7.5 as they scored 14 first; Decided not set as other side having 2nd service. confidetn that they can kill the 2nd serve and win back service. You are right in saying "Having said that, refusing to set when your opponents still have two serves is unheard of."
If you're on the side which first scored 14, then you must be the receiving player at 14-14! Otherwise, you would have gotten 15 and won.
Apology to hcyong I refer to my post #9 of this thread, I was not thinking with a clear mind as just recovering from flu. What I said in my post is senseless. My apology to BFer hcyong BFers bguy7890 and other are kind enough to point it out to me. Thank you guys.
Hey, in this forum, there is no need for such a formal apology. Just something like I am so and will do. Don't worry about it.
lol...we seem to be a double act yeah, no problems...i didn't really understand that post anyway hope u are better now
