With the LD outburst, claiming he was the rightful champion in the KO, everyone is eagerly waiting for the ALL-England for a 'showdown' of the rightful champion. If LD is not going to be suspended (but my bet is he will), then the ALL-England will become a very much watched tournament. The Koreans will be out to prove LHI, with or without 'help from linesmen' will equally be as potent. The year has been prolific for LHI so far (one win and one runners-up) - the best so far. With a keyed up coach in Li Mao who will be no less motivated (after being swung at with a racket by an ill-mannered LD), LHI will definitely by fuelled further. The other Lee (my favourite one) is working hard to chase his first ALL-England. He has been close but this year will probably give him the best opportunity. His form has been terrific, losing to LD on China's soil is no shame (with so much against him). Winning the MO proves he is in contention for titles this year. Even though the aim is the Olympics, I am pretty sure LCW is going to play his hearts out for the first ALL-ENGLAND. With a combined force of two 'Lees', I kinda feel the ground may not hold for LD this year. The pressure is going to mount. For that reason, I choose to go with a 'Lee' for a win in 2008.
LD will show u who is the real boss in the neutral ground. less chance for the village champion (LCW & LHI)
If LD is not suspended, he will show all of us who is no. 1 on neutral turf. He too is all fired up to take revenge! So watch out LHI et all! Wah, it is going to be difficult for our PAWs!
There is the factor of hidayat and that he has never won an all england title. If he manages to get himself motivated and starts playing how we all know he can play, then the MS tournament should be a very interresting affair. Another Hidayat factor is that noone really sees him winning this title, most people expect Lee Chong Wei or Lin Dan winning, wich makes Hidayat kind of the underdog. And most of his grand titles has been won from that possition.
You may be half right - could be a "Lee", but not the Lees we expect, could the Lee from Spore,the other Lee from Msia. Or both you & Cheung could be wrong, no Lees or Lins, somebody with name difficult to pronounce, he he.
X Ball I wanna bet too ... LD FTW... if not BCL FTW (though less likely than a comet crashing down on the stadium )
This year promises to deliver Taufik Hidayat's swan song The question is: will it be at the All England Open 2008 or the Beijing Olympics 2008?