1. Bao CL, Lin Dan, Chen Jin, LCW, will dominate singles play. 2. CM-KKK, CTF/LWW, the Chinese pairs will dominate doubles play. Interesting follow-ups: LCW's promise to redeem himself (from the TC) would be interesting to watch -- can he upset the chinese ? Can CTF/LWW, unbeaten in the TC, carry on the winning formula ? Is Hafiz getting fitter or is he a spent force (can Misbun put some spark back into this guy) ? Will Taufik disappoint his countrymen yet again or will he be able to instil a revival to his flagging form ? Is Lin Dan invincible ? Is Bao's smashes going to dominate the Open and will be the next champion that China continuosly churn out every 3/4 years ? If you think the above are interesting questions, then we are looking forward to an exciting Open.
MS: LD at this time is undefeated [ TH will not participate] MD: I hold KKK and Chan. They are very powerful and fast.
According to ANTARA News Agency CHN will send 20 players to compete in IO-06. Among them only 2 'big names' in CHN's squad (LD and CJ). Completely, CHN's contingent consist : 5 MS (LD-CJ-Chen Yu-Lu Yi-Qiu Yanbo--the last two names are newcomers?!) ; 3 WS (Zhu Lin-Wang Lin-Chen Li) ; 3 pairs unpopular MD ; 3 pairs WD (Du Jing/Yu Yang-Zhang Dan/Zhao Tingting-1 pair newcomer). For XD division CHN will use same shutllers in MD+WD with mix-and-match format (total are 5 pairs XD). I think INA's team will fight all-out in their homeground (minimum target: same with last year achievement--2 titles from MD (Markis/Hendra) and XD (Nova/Lily). Hopefully Sony and Simon will perform their best in Surabaya!
Hm I think Chen Jin will be a tough test especially for LCW. Anyway, I believe Lin Dan is still in his form and is kinda unbeatable, despite the new scoring system . Well I'll cheer for him.
my matches i'm looking forward : 1. lin dan vs lcw 2. chen jin vs simon santoso 3. shen jin vs sony 4. kido/hendra vs ckk/kkk
WIth the absence of Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun and the top Denmark pairs, the only pairs that could match Indo's pairs are CCM/KKK and CTF/LWW. I hope Markis/Hendra will be able to retain their title. As for Nova/Butet, unless the top 4 pairs are there (Zhang Jun/Gao Ling, Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen, Nathan Robertson/Gail Emms, or Lee Jae Jin/Lee Kyung Won), otherwise, they will once again win with ease. The focus will be on the progress of INA's young and upcoming players: MS -- Tommy Sugiarto, Alamsyah Yunus, Andre Kurniawan, Faudzi Adnan WS -- Pia Zebadiah MD -- Hendra Gunawan/Joko Riyadi, Yoga Ugikasah/Yonathan Suryatama Dasuki, Rendra Wijaya/Frans Kurniawan, Bona Septano/Mohd Aksan WD -- Nitya Krishinda/Nadya Melati, Purwati/Meiliana Jauhari XD -- Lingga/Yulianti, Bona Septano/Pia Zebadiah
My prediction : 1. BAO/LCW for the Singles title 2. CTF/LWW for the Doubles title Sorry, if the above offends you.
YOu guys seem to have forgotten about or 2000 Olympic gold medalists, Tony Gunawan & Candra Wijaya. If these two are still in shape, I believe they are unstoppable together.
If i'm not mistaken,CTF & LWW will not compete in IO. There will only be Fairuzizuan-Woon Fui and Gan Teik Chai-Mohd Zakry Latif, for the doubles that is.
LYB was very smooth by sending 3 WS who failed to made it into Uber Cup squad. Its probably like a consolation prize for this 3 girls. I just hoping Indonesia send all of their WS and WD players. It will be pretty ironic if PBSI pulled the "we are so poor and don't have enough money to send players" scam again. And yes, I know it will be play in Surabaya, Indonesia.
If Indonesia Open is a 6* Championships, LIN Dan will be still No.1 with entering 1/8 finals, I think.