Sizzling Semi-final Action!
Auckland - Second to last day of the Equinox NZ Open 2005 proved to be a sizzler, which is more than I can say for the weather Time sure flew when you're having fun..I'm sure I speak on behalf of the almost full house spectators at the Gillies Badminton Hall when I say that it sure didn't feel like we spent almost 5 hours 'oooh-ing and aahhh-ing' at some of the great shots demonstrated by the semi-finalists of the tournaments. I managed to take many pictures and will be posting them in due course. First, let me take you through the mouth-watering matches on offer today:
Men's Singles
First time in the tournament that Sairul got tested where he actually had to play more than 5 rallies to win a point! Also first time that the spectators at the Gillies Badminton Hall were treated to a display of Sairul's skill and ability as he sliced, diced, smashed and dashed and ultimately brought Conrad Hueckstaedt, the German 5th seed to his knees (literally at one point), the Malaysian winning 15-6, 15-5. It was hard to tell whether the crowd enjoyed the game more than the players' on court antics. Conrad tried to psyche out Sairul by staring him down each time he wins a shot and shouting with pumped up fist and all. Bad move really by Conrad given Sairul's more superior skills as the Malaysian decided to let the German taste his own medicine, mimicking the German when he won the points to the delight of the crowd. No points for guessing who had the last 'shout' in this match
The other semis took place at the same time as the Sairul vs Conrad game, but on the next court. I'm surprised I haven't become cross-eyed from trying to capture all the actions happening on both courts. HK youngster, Chan Yan Kit was indeed the oriental rocket pocket as he took off from the start of the game and never once looked back, beating tournament 2nd seed, Bobby Milroy of Canada in straight sets, 15-10, 15-10 . His ability to read his opponent's game, combined with his fluid movements around the court and deadly smashes will truly make him a handful for Sairul in tomorrow's final. If he proceeds in this manner, the world will have to stand up and pay attention, watch this space!
My bet will still be on Sairul to win obviously! Sairul boleh!
Women's Singles
First semis game featured NZ hopeful and no.4 seed, Rebecca Bellingam against one of the 3 Indonesian 'armadas', in the form of their no.1 player, Fransisca Ratnasari. Initially, Rebecca matched the Indonesian in most areas of the game as they moved each other around trying to find weaknesses in one another's game. Eventually, Fransisca showed her class, making less unforced errors and adopting pin point accurate placing shots to sink Rebecca in straight sets 11-5, 11-4.
The second semi final match understandably received less interests as Yulianti Kristin took on teammate Adriyanti Firdasari. However, the crowd soon got into the game at one set all and the two players went up another gear. Firdasari thrilled with her amazing net-play which saw the shuttle tumble over at least 5 or 6 times to the frustration of Kristin who managed to trick her opponent many a time with her deceptive cross court slices. Eventually, Firdasari prevailed 11-3, 6-11, 11-5.
Men's Doubles
These were the last matches played in the day but the crowd's patience in waiting for them was well rewarded. First up, no.2 seeds, Denney/Cooper showed their more junior teammates Gomez/Brehaut how it was done. Everything the younger pair threw at their seniors came back like a good ol boomerang. Denney/Cooper's defence had been solid all week and it saw them winning easily 15-1, 15-3. Then came perhaps the most exciting game of the day, with HK's Lam/Tam taking on tournament top seeds, Gordon/Shirley of NZ. Cheered by the voicerous Chinese section of the crowd, the HK players played aggressively and it was neck to neck until about 10-10 before a few mistakes and some powerful cross court smashes by Shirley pulled the kiwis away to win 15-11 in the first. It was obvious in the beginning of the second set that the HK pair who threw everything in their armoury against the kiwis was starting to tire and it became apparent that they could not fight the impending tide that was washing them ashore, taking its surfers with it into the final, second set score being 15-5 It will be an exciting final given the kiwis' attacking play versus the aussies' defensive style ala Ricky/Rexy vs Jalani/Razif Sideks (ok, not same league..but hey, beggars can't be choosers!)
My prediction (and perhaps a bit of bias) is that Kiwis will win.
Women's Doubles
After the exit of the Malaysian doubles pair, I was somehow comforted that at least there were 3 kiwi pairs in the semis, outnumbering the sole Aussie one. Tournament 2nd seeds, Hindley/Bellingam made short work of Flavell/Shirley, the surprised semi finalist in this tournament 15-3, 15-8 (Shirley was overheard saying constantly, "I can't believe how lucky we are to be in this easier half othe draw!!"). The other semi was of course more exciting given the trans Tasman rivalry. Gordon/Runesten-Petersen who lost to Wilson-Smith/Lucas earlier in the year in Perth in a badminton tournament managed to turn the table this time, defeating the Aussies 15-9, 9-15, 15-3 to set up an all Kiwi final tomorrow.
Hindley/Bellingam may just squeezed through on this one in my prediction of the final.
Mix Doubles
Runesten-Petersen/Shirley had little trouble living up to their top billing and perhaps the confidence gained from reaching the World Champ semis played apart in their demolition of the Aussie pair, Brehaut/Luiz, 15-5 15-7. Unlike the women's doubles, it won't be a all kiwi affar in the final though as the Aussie party poopers (as far as the kiwis are concerned anyway), 3rd ranked Denney/Wilson-Smith threw the form book out of the window in their upset win over the 2nd seeded kiwis, Cooper/Shirley, winning 15-13, 15-8.
My prediction of the final? You really want me to spell it out? Go kiwis!
This is Adelina Ong, reporting live from Auckland. Until tomorrow, ka kite ano (Maori for goodbye

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