Venue : Wuhan Sports Centre, Wuhan-Hubei Province, CHN Total prize-money : US$200,000 Category : Continental Individual Championships Grade : Superseries Live Streaming alternatives : http://www.zoptv.com/live/cctv-5 http://www.zoptv.com/live/cctv-5-plus https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqIYoBi8GLVhj7F3XW4utjg https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfJwT6SO_rWs9YMaT3fX1XkzvC5JR2_Cz CHN time : http://www.worldtimezone.com/time/wtzresult.php?CiID=3596&forma=Find Time FINAL (02.00pm local time) => http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/s...570B8E-D2AA-401B-96B5-D873594B6690&d=20160501 All number one seeds fulfill their top billing, home players have guaranteed WS title also Japanese pairs as well to seal WD gold and silver medal. XD, Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei (CHN) v Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir (INA) H-2-H : 12-5 / WR : 1 v 2 The top-seeded is back to right track, they look sharp along this event including how they knocked out the much-improved Korean pair Ko SH/Kim HN in semifinal despite experienced hard times at first game. The resurgent Ahmad/Natsir ended their title drought in MAS Premier three weeks ago, a very important title to boost their confidence after series of dismal performances last year. Zhang/Zhao are favoured to top podium tomorrow, the last time they lost to the Indonesians was 2014 All England final. However, the meeting between these current top two pairs always be close contest as both finalists are really familiar each other. MS, Chen Long (CHN) v Lee Chong Wei (MAS) H-2-H : 12-12 / WR : 1 v 2 Lee Chong Wei once again created a heartbreak for home fans and denied all China final in men's singles category. The Lin-Lee gigantic clash displayed their master class quality in first and second game but too bad ended dramatically at deciding game as Lin stamina was drained a lot while Lee stamped authority with his signature attacking style, the shocking scoreline 21-4 for Lee victory. Lin Dan slipped his chance to seal first set when he led 20-17 but good fighting spirit by Lee Chong Wei here to grabbed 5 consecutive point. The full-confidenced Lee will meet another archrival in final, two-time World Champion Chen Long. Chen eliminated his compatriot Tian Houwei, quite straight-forward tie despite he came from behind at second game to seal the match. The Malaysian hero has advantage to retain his 2006 Asian Championships title considering his supremacy in last three encounters including convincing straight-sets triumphant in MAS Premier Final. A huge pressure on Chen Long, it's like dejavu of CHN Premier finale last November. WS, Li Xuerui (CHN) v Wang Yihan (CHN) H-2-H : 8-9 / WR : 3 v 6 A final rematch of last two multi-sports events, 2012 London Oympic Games and 2014 Incheon Asian Games when Li won gold in London and Wang snatched Incheon top honour, both of them may represent China in Rio summer games upcoming August. The Olympic Champion Li passed all hard tests en route to the final, started from Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, Akane Yamaguchi, Tai Tzu Ying and Sung Ji Hyun in last four while the Asian Games winner Wang Yihan showed strong determination and mental strength to overcome the in-form Nozomi Okuhara and Saina Nehwal. China WS is struggling to carve stellar performance since last year when new blossoming talents have emerged and rock their domination. In BAC this year, they prove to be the best in Asia and secure WS crown. WD, Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi (JPN) v Naoko Fukuman/Kurumi Yonao (JPN) H-2-H : 4-1 / WR : 1 v 9 The Japanese pairs really set serious threat for China in Rio, women's doubles category present tremendous shift lately as China long-domination seems halted at the moment. For BAC statistics, the last time non China pair who won gold in this event was former All England Champion Lee Hyo Jung/Lee Kyung Won in 2005 edition. Current formidable duo Matsutomo/Takahashi are hot favourite to bag third title in this new season after All England and India Superseries, their final opponent Fukuman/Yonao played the longest duration and very tiring match that booked record 2 hour and 41 minutes against Maheswari/Polii as the final score ended 24-22. MD, Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong (KOR) v Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen (CHN) H-2-H : 0-1 / WR : 1 v 14 The scenario tells Lee/Yoo will extend their title here but the world number one must be wary for their tricky opponent in last round as they lost in first meeting last year in China Open second round. The giant-killer Li/Liu are surprising finalist here as they stunned title contender of this event, Ahsan/Setiawan and edged past the senior Fu HF/Zhang N in semifinal. Former world junior champion has true potential to become China future pair to replace the inconsistent Chai B/Hong W and Liu XL/Qiu ZH, no wonder they're included as part of Thomas Cup member in Kunshan.
Thanks for the wonderful thread, Captain CLELY. My Predictions XD: Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei MS: Chen Long WS: Li Xueruay WD: Japan MD: Li/ Liu Hoping to get 3 out of 5 write. (@kelana,hope you agree that my Predictions are write)
This tournament should really be elevated to SSP status. They have so many sponsors. Half a million in prize money shouldn't be a problem for them.
Well you're not really making a prediction for W.D .. I only agree with your XD prediction so that would be 1 out of 4
I predict: XD: Ahmad/Natsir MS: Lcw WS: Wyh WD: Yonao/Fukuman (if it is true that they would overtake Lee/Chang in the RtR, otherwise if played all out AT/MM) MD: Lee/Yoo But most matches are very close to call edit: JPN second WD wont be in front of Lee/Chang after this tournament even if they win... 64745 vs. 64876 points (Korea) if I counted correctly. JPN adds 4680 in case of a win and Korean pair 1380 for the SF spot here...
I think they would rise by 4880 for a win here, as they get 9200 points and their worst counting result (4320 @ Indonesia Open) gets cancelled.
WD: they can setup a separate court 2 for playing because their style of play taking too long probably be more than 3hrs this time. They just rally rally and rally rally and rally again. No offense, I think the Japanese pairs are good players.
I wonder what will happen to the tv stations had they broadcasted this match. Worse if it was on final day. No escaping for the tv station.
My calculation shows Fukuman/Yonao will get additional 4880 (9200 - 4320) if they win the final match. 64945 (Japan) vs 64876 (Korea)
Honestly the longer the better I regularly watch 2-5h of tennis (a much slower sport) without any problem so 2-3h of badminton doesn't even seem that much Anyways they certainly won't have the stamina left to play for hours.. Legs are gonna feel very heavy
My predictions for today: of course I may be wrong too. MS - Lee Chong Wei WS - Li Xuerui MD - Lee Yong Dae / Yoo Yeon Seong WD - Ayaka Takahashi / Misaki Matsutomo XD - Zhang Nan / Zhao Yunlei
I would expect AT/MM to give a walk over, hope they prove me wrong. However, i would like to see this pair goes to Olympic. They grit and determination is what Olympic is about!
