St. Jakobshalle, Basel txt: Dille Andersen, WBSO, Int.Press photos: topbadminton.com In the first Men's Singles semifinals the number 1 seed, Lin Dan, CHN was up against Simon Santoso, INA, who came to the Main Draw via the Qualifying event! In the first game they went hand in hand until the score was 12-10 in favour of Lin Dan. Both performed subtle shots but all the time with Lin Dan setting the pace! Simon Santoso were 2 match points down before he himself had unumerous match points giving him the first game 27-25! In the last fases of the first fases Lin Dan sent a lot of shuttles out. At 1-0 in favour of Santoso Lin Dan put his hands to the side of his back, turned to the Umpire and said he was in pain (pictured). Referee was called over toether with the Doctor, and after some discussion Lin Dan decided to try and go on. It was very clear he couldn't go up in smashes and after 4 more points Lin Dan went to the net, shook hands with Santoso - and retired 5-0.............in second game. The Women's Doubles between Greysia Polii/Vita Marissa, INA, and Lee Hyu Jung/Lee Kyung W, KOR, was a seeworthy match. Lee/Lee, KOR, took the first game 21-14 by cleverly moving the shuttle around. That recipe worked and was taken in by Polii/Marissa in the second game. The Indonesians were better at finding the lines and took second game 21-14. In the decisive game Lee/Lee started smashes directly on their opponents, and with some success, as they got a 3-1 lead on that account. If finding the lines in the second game was their strength, if was certainly their achilles heel in the third. Marissa/Polii were less than fornunate, giving Lee/Lee an 11-4 lead. But a second wind blew in to the Indonesians who reduced to 9-12. The most impressive player on court was no doubt the young Greysia Polii. She is not tall at all but can jump high in her smashes. But she didn't have luck by the net in this game and Lee/Lee got off to a 19-10 lead. First Korean match point was survived by Mariassa/Polii, but on the second it was over. 21-13 to Lee/Lee in the final game! (pictured) The second Women's Singles of the day, between number 1 seed Zhang Ning, CHN, and 3/4 Xu Huaiwen, GER, was not as sparkling a match as was expected beforehand. Xu was visibly tired, maybe from her long, tight match in the quarterfinal Friday against Yao Jie, NED. Normally Xu runs like the wind on court, andwhat she lacks in height her legs make up for by running. Zhang Ning was almost completely in control from the first hit. Xu was behind on points all through the first game but her will to fight brought up to 19-19 before se had to bow down, giving first game to Zhang 21-19. In the second game there was no doubt Zhang would come out on top from this match (pictured). In glimpses Xu presented some very nice shots, teasing Zhang Ning, but she had nothing more to give today and Zhang Ning took second game 21-11. The Women's Singles final Sunday is an All-Chinese matter: Zhang Ning vs Lu Lan.
