A disastrous start for Yao/Sari who couldn't get their game going, and they are supposed to be the stronger of the two SG pairs.
You are right, Vittinghus lost. The way i read that post you referring to, LCW had to work very hard to get away with a win. Vitinghus was also very close in his last match against Lin Dan, so tbgoh could have a point. And his opponent tomorrow, Tian Hou Wei, already won against LCW this year. So, both can play, the final match should be fun
one more step for tian hou wei! but it will be a tough match. denmark might be the biggest winner here.
Yup, Marin is very promising to continue Baun and Schenk credibility among Asian dominance in WS category. We'll see whether he succeeds or not DEN is already secure WD title and most likely MD title through vast experience pair Boe/Mogensen. Last hope for the host, Langridge/Olver will challenge tough opponent Fuchs/Michels today. FINALS will kick off on 12.00pm : http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/s...919726-8CA0-416B-B84C-D1895410EC71&d=20131006
That's right, exactly what I meant. Both LCW and LD were stretched to their limits in those matches I mentioned for at least one set or the whole match, can't remember exactly , before finally triumphing over him. In the finals between him and WZM which I mentioned I was hoping to see WZM finally making a breakthrough by winning his first SS. I ended up awestruck by the way he destroyed WZM with his retrieving ability. HKV on his good day is a very hot potato to handle for any player, like Han Jian to Liem Swie King. A positive thing I observed about THW's game is that he has swapped his swashbuckling style of unrelenting smashes with one of patient and accurate rallying to outmanouver his opponent first before hammering down his booming sharp-angled smashes. His style of play is getting more and more like that of CL. Hopefully he wins tonight.
That's a very good observation, my sentiments too. It's a different Tian Houwei now from the one that beat Lee CW at the AUS GPG. Maybe Xue Song should take a leaf from him, he's a bit too eager to attack and inadvertently 'neglected' to strengthen his defence, IMHO. Tanongsak, to me, is another typical example, even more pronounced. The final showdown promises to be exciting and intense, hard to predict the winner. HKV as you've correctly pointed out can trouble practically anybody on a good day, just like his compatriot JOJ. Once he latches onto you, it's not easy to shake him off - your analogy with Han Jian is apt, Du Pengyu being the modern example, if I may say so ( I remember how he ground out HKV in the Swiss GPG'13, as one of many examples).
The Europeans are the biggest gainers in this tournament with representatives in all five finals, three of which are all-European affairs. Besides Marin who already made a name for herself as a rising star, Kirsty and Gavnholt are the other two up and coming ones. Overall, a good sign for European badminton and the world at large.