TheStar March 19th THE draw for the individual badminton competition was finally released yesterday – two days before the competition begins. And three gold medals are in the bag for Malaysia based on the seedings. In the draw released yesterday, Malaysia are seeded top in the men’s singles, men’s doubles and the women’s doubles. Malaysia’s world number two Lee Chong Wei and second seed Wong Choong Hann are expected to make it a 1-2 finish in the men’s singles. In the men’s doubles, top seeds Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat are expected to meet Anthony Clark-Robert Blair of England in the final. There could also be a 1-2 finish in the men’s doubles. It will, however, depend on whether scratch pair of Choong Hann and Choong Tan Fook could upset most likely their semi-final opponents – Clark-Blair. Barring any upsets, world number five Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, the top seeds in the women’s doubles, will face second seeds Gail Emms-Donna Kellogg of England in the final. But the most awaited event will be the women’s singles. Malaysia’s Wong Mew Choo has been seeded second and barring any upsets, she is likely to take on top seed Tracey Hallam of England or Singapore’s defending champion Li Li in the final. Mew Choo, the country’s hope to become the first Malaysian woman to win the Commonwealth Games gold since Sylvia Ng in 1978, will have to be wary of China-born Xing Aiying of Singapore in the quarter-finals. The only event that looks to be out of Malaysia’s reach is the mixed doubles. Athens Olympic Games silver medallists Nathan Robertson-Gail Emms are the top seeds and they are set to meet unseeded Choong Hann-Ooi Sock Ai in the second round. Meanwhile, Malaysia, who emerged as the Group A champions after winning all their three group ties by 5-0 wins, will take on Australia in the quarter-finals of the mixed team event today.
Sure or not? Need to watch for the Indians now, as well as the English, S'poreans and the Kiwis in the women's section.
