The fact is that, LCW's mental collapsed in the 2nd game when Taufik stormed from behind trailing 14-17 to win the 1st game 21-17 by taking 7 consecutive points.
Alright!!! Indonesians are on the roll here in the Japan Open, well except for women categories. Nova/Natsir are doing well and they show the Chinese pair that they are still the better pair. Flandy/Marissa are "new" kids on the block here. They beat WC silver medallist, Clark/Kellog and then double Olympic Gold Medallist, Zhang/Gao. A very, very impressive start for the new pair. I'm surprised they made it this far even though I know Flandy's capabilities as doubles players. Let's hope this not just a fluke and they will continue their performance till Rizal/Polii are ready to carry on the torch. Tony/Candra are doing unbelievably well. I know they are a really strong to the point of legendary 6 years ago, but in 2006? It is just unbelievable for them to beat Cai/Fu EASILY. I won't be surprised if Tony/Candra beat Cai/Fu or vice versa, but I never thought easily, one way or another. I expected some sort of tight match. Never crossed my mind that it is going to end in just 25 minutes. Well done Tony/Candra. Taufik again shows that he is still dangeroud SOMETIMES, not all the time. Sometimes he is just so tame like a pussycat and the other time ferocious like a lion. He really is an unpredictable player. I still hate his childish attitudes, but when it comes to talent and techniques, there is no denying that he is the best in the world nowadays. Lin Dan is very, very consistent and it won't be easy to defeat him. However, since I'm an Indonesian I will support Taufik. Honestly, the golden generation of MD is over for Indonesia now. As so many people have noticed, Markis is the only "unpolished" diamond in the Indonesian squad today. Luluk/Alvent are pretty much done for now. Hendra is a good player, but I agree that Markis needs a stronger partner. It is very easy to see that Markis is the playmaker during a game. Markis needs other partner with capabilities like Tony, Candra or Sigit to complement him. Tan Boon Heong is another player needs to be reckoned with now. I hate to admit this, but I get a feeling that he is going to become big, even bigger than Koo Kien Kiat. Good news for Malaysian fans, but not other countries' fans (like myself). Can't wait to see how the finals turn out tomorrow. Good luck to all Indonesians participating! Show them who the boss is!
Koo n Tan did pair before in Thomas Cup Final Round in May, but this is the 1st time they pair to play in open championship. Their final opponent is former world champion Tony Gunawan/Candra Wijaya, hope they can make a big upset tomolo...
I think they meant the resulting score is "insulting" for newly crowned World Champions as they are expected to give TG/CW a good match.
Omigosh, kkk and tbh in the final!!! since when did KKK appear in the final round? I hope he wins the JO open, it seems to be very possible at the moment!!!
Tony Gunawan and Chandra Wijaya are the favourite. But I do hope the Malaysians can put up a great fight.
Aiyo, 7pm already (Malaysia), I think it's time to go for a bite. Let's come here again tomorrow noon and see who wins the LD and TH clash! Haha... Cheers!
Maybe someone mentioned it before, but don't have the time to check.. Does anyone know the results of the WD's?? I believe Gao Ling/Huang Sui are finalists tomorrow, but who will be there opponents?
Men's singles semi-finals Lin Dan (CHN x1) bt Peter Gade (DEN x3) 21-12, 21-14 Taufik Hidayat (INA) bt Lee Chong Wei (MAS x2) 21-17, 21-13 Women's singles semi-finals Zhang Ning (CHN x1) bt Zhu Lin (CHN x5) 21-18, 21-16 Xie Xingfang (CHN x2) bt Wang Chen (HKG x3) 21-16, 21-16 Men's doubles semi-finals Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (INA x5) bt Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun (CHN x1) 21-11, 21-11 Koo Kein Keat/Tan Boon Heong (MAS) bt Shuichi Sakamoto/Shintaro Ikeda (JPN x5) 21-13, 14-21, 21-11 Women's doubles semi-finals Gao Ling/Huang Sui (CHN x1) bt Du Jing/Yu Yang (CHN x3) walkover Wei Yili/Zhang Yawen (CHN x3) bt Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen (CHN x2) 21-18, 21-13 Mixed doubles semi-finals Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir (INA x1) bt Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen (CHN x5) 21-17, 24-22 Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa (INA) bt Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thungthongkam (THA x3) 21-18, 16-21, 21-17
