MS : LinDan vs BaoCL (Both of them had the same scoreline in the semis ) WS : Zhang Ning Vs Xie XF MD : Cai/Fu vs Eriksen/Lundgaard WD : Zhang/Yang vs GaoLing/Huang Sui MXD : Robertson/Emms vs Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen Its seems that China will sweep the Hong Kong open if they win in all events. The Mens Singles , Ladies singles and Womens Doubles is already a guarantee for China.
I think it'll most likely be a total Chinese sweep there, but not sure about Cai/Fu though. Had never had faith in those two.
Not too surprised for the 80% Chinese final, now I just hope BCL could win LD for once and for his first international title. let's hope that it will be on pplive tonight.
Bao Cun Lai already had his first international title in Denmark Open 2002 if I am not wrong. Then Lin Dan got his first title in Korean Open 2003.
A little correction, BCL won Denmark Open 2001 while he was only 18 beating Lin Dan 7-5,7-1,7-0. That was his only title. Lin Dan won his first title in Korea Open 2002 beating Shon Sheng Mo. Since then LD had won so many titles.
Agree, when Fu/Cai are on fire, they are nearly impossibel to beat but when they are off, they are off.
LOL! Ants, of course Team China will sweep if they win all the events, that's the definition of "sweep".
It could have been worse -- an All-Chinese final for all events. Good thing there are 2 non-Chinese sides in the final.
My predictions: MS: LD (run Bao, run!) WS: ZN (I'll take experience over youth any day ) MD: Cai/Fu (they are playing well, hopefully they can carry the momentum) XD: Robertson/Emms (too strong)
Hahah thanks for correcting my vocabs. This is what happened when someone post early in the morning before going to sleep.
What happened to Tony Gunawan and Howard Bach? How come they didn't play in HK Open? Didn't they just won the WC2005
They are playing locally at the Yonex OCBC Pan American Tournament at OCBC. They are set to play the SF game in 40 minutes: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draw.asp?id=8942&draw=6
So poor, Tony & Bach only play at the "A" Grade tournament?!?! What a World Champion BTW, I thought Tony & Halem is going to partner again?
What's wrong with playing a local tournament? Tony and Halim traveled in Europe the past two months, I think they are home sick.
As a World Champion, they should participate big tournament. Not just play with little child, if won the title also not proud about it
Who says you have to play in a big tournament if you are the WC? There's no rule. There could many reasons why they didn't want to play. I do not think you should jump to conclusions without knowing the whole story.
This has been discussed before about why 'strong' players play local 'A' grade tournaments on their home country. Invariably, the poster says something like its 'disgraceful', 'shameful' for a strong player to play in an A grade tournament without considering whether it contributes to the OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF BADMINTON IN THE HOME COUNTRY. (1) Sponsorship issues - the sponsor for the A grade tournament on their home ground may likely be the players sponsor and ask them to play to give the tournament more prestige (2) Increase local support for the game - After the WC, the North American public would want to see their heroes in action.. and they're not going to travel to watch HK open. Furthermore, I think it's insulting for you to call the players in an 'A' grade tournament 'little children'. What is your own playing level? Can you beat these any of them?
Storkbill: excellent post. I know most of the local players went to OCBC to watch the tourney. I plan to go tomorrow for the finals.