2006 US Open

[ctjcad]

..sorry folks, wasn't able to upload these pics..My modem actually burned out this morning and was able to get another one in the afternoon..But by then, it was a bit late to upload these..
anyways, here are a few more of the last remaining batches of pics..

[ctjcad]

..ok, here are the last ones from the SF day..

[ctjcad]

Alright guys, here are the pics and reviews of the Finals Day...

XD - Saw a real fast actions match. Both pairs seemed to want to get the title very bad. I thought both pairs played evenly thruout the entire match. With a couple of fancy shots here and there and some costly errors as deciders for the match. Again, the outcome were on the gals as they were the ones protecting and controlling the net. Could've gone either way, but the male partner, as a customary in XD, i thought Ivlev played very aggressively, despite having a pretty good size knee brace. I thought his shots were quite consistent and complete..Smashes, you got it. Backhands drives, you got it..At the end, he and Vislova were the winners..

WS - Saw an unfortunate ending to Johanna. She gave her best by coming out and at least playing thru the 11 pts, but after that, she just couldn't force it anymore. I guess it wasn't meant to be for her. The Russian gal was the lucky winner..But Johanna was very gracious, even thanked the crowd who applauded her effort after the award ceremony..

MS - Again, the cat-quickness of Nakanishi really was the difference. He basically controlled the game from the beginning. While Dabeka relied on some good opportunities at the net to score some points. In all, he wasn't able to create shots where Nakanishi would have a difficult time retrieving. Saw a couple of shot selections whic Dabeka made which really was like a "free-points"..BTW, i chatted with a fan and we both agree Nakanishi reminded us of Lee Chong Wei(the way he moves and his strokes)..

WD - Well, the 2 top pairs surely deserved the spotlight. But i think Karachkova is not suited to play WD. I noticed everytime she hold her racket, it was always low, not at a ready position like what Vislova and the rest of them were holding. However, Karachkova's partner was holding her own also, making some nice cross court shots. Both pairs played their best, but at the end, the consistent pair won the match, in 2 very tight sets. And Vislova was the only double winner for the night.

MD - Nothing really surprising. Tony & Halim really came out with a purpose and just want to end the match as quickly as they can. Both of them setting up each other for some serious hit downs. Esp. Halim, wow Howard must be wondering if it was him doing the hammering-down, hehe I also wonder, what if Ivlev was to partner with Durkin?!?! Eventhough the Russian coach was yelling instructions to his 2 players, it has no effect. After a tight 2nd set, at the end, the vast experiences of both Tony & Halim really took its toll on the young Russians.

All in all, the Finals was fun, but for me personally, it didn't have that sense of the dramatic. As the expected winners won and vice versa. On that note, this U.S. Open could be the last one Tony Gunawan will play in.

Anyways, i will divide the pics into several posts. Hope you all don't mind as i took quite a lot. Enjoy-

BTW, did anyone watch the live webcast of the Finals??..I took a pic of the camera area where they shot the games in one of these pics..Oh, the 1 pic below which shows 2 gentlemen standing, it was part of a special presentation given to one of the IBF member.

[DinkAlot]

the russian player can't even return the smash from halim......

No worries, very few people can return Halim's smash. I know I couldn't. And even if I could, I'm sure Tony would be there to cut if off.

[DinkAlot]

Wow! How did this come about? Is Tony's contract with OCBC up?

Where's Tony going to live? Denmark? Any additional details? If so...maaaan, once I move to the OC, I was planning on taking lessons with Tony.

http://www.badminton-indonesia.com/j...=1525&Itemid=2

What a big surprise???

[ctjcad]

here are some more..

[ctjcad]

here are some more..

[dropper]

OK guys, just came back from the Finals day of the U.S. Open...When i arrived, was quite surprised that the venue barely has some people..

I have been to the US Open Finals many years and I have not seen this small of a crowd as this year. After counting out all the free ticket holders, it looks like there really weren't many who attended. Considering the big bang of badminton explosion we were expecting in USA from the last year Worlds, this is a very disappointing attendence to the only Grand Prix event held in USA. Is badminton becoming any more popular than it was, or is it going down hill in USA?

[monto]

I have been to the US Open Finals many years and I have not seen this small of a crowd as this year. After counting out all the free ticket holders, it looks like there really weren't many who attended. Considering the big bang of badminton explosion we were expecting in USA from the last year Worlds, this is a very disappointing attendence to the only Grand Prix event held in USA. Is badminton becoming any more popular than it was, or is it going down hill in USA?

I imagine a lot of it is lack of press. Unless you check the forums here or on a few select sites, you would never hear of the tourney...

BTW, How are free tickets passed out?

[monto]

Wow! How did this come about? Is Tony's contract with OCBC up?

Where's Tony going to live? Denmark? Any additional details? If so...maaaan, once I move to the OC, I was planning on taking lessons with Tony.

Extraordinary news indeed! I imagine he's being well paid for his services, so more power to him and his family. It sounds analogous to a Ronaldo or Beckham signing by Real Madrid, a lot of good press, but hopefully some distinguished play too

[DinkAlot]

IIRC, the total prize money of the tourney has dropped significantly over the past years. That'll be a detriment to any tourney.

I have been to the US Open Finals many years and I have not seen this small of a crowd as this year. After counting out all the free ticket holders, it looks like there really weren't many who attended. Considering the big bang of badminton explosion we were expecting in USA from the last year Worlds, this is a very disappointing attendence to the only Grand Prix event held in USA. Is badminton becoming any more popular than it was, or is it going down hill in USA?

[ctjcad]

sorry folks, had a bit of trouble last night uploading the rest of pics...:P
anyways, here are some more..notice in 1 of the pic, i've sort of zoom in on the ankle brace for Johanna's right ankle-she didn't show any limp, but it must've really been quite bad..Also i've shown 3 pics of Johanna talking to the chair umpire and then to the tournament's Referee(in red) before giving her congratulatory to Karachkova..And in 1 of the pic, she was being interviewed by Jennifer Coleman(U.S.A.'s women singles player)..

[ctjcad]

here are some more..

[ctjcad]

here are some more..

[ctjcad]

here are a few more..

[ctjcad]

here are a few more..notice in 1 of the pic, Nakanishi is being interview with Ms. Coleman with the assistance of an interpreter..

[ctjcad]

..here are some more..