A preview written by Mark Phelan (also BC member) for Badminton Europe: 10 October 2011 It is that time of the year again where Europe braces itself for its autumnal run of top class Grand Prix and Super Series badminton. Its Dutch Grand Prix time in Almere just outside Amsterdam and for every neutral observer the overriding burning questions is can Przemyslaw Wacha keep this remarkable winning streak going as he attempts to win his fourth tournament in a row. The Pole suffered an early first round exit just over the border in Belgium a month ago before going on this astonishing run of wins in Brazil, Czech Republic and last week in Bulgaria. Can he do it again this week in Almere? Given the form he has shown he most certainly can and factoring in that top seed Boonsak Ponsana has been forced to withdraw after undergoing surgery on a troublesome foot injury the path is certainly clear for the Pole to pull off this almost unheard of achievement. What can stop Wacha you may ask? Well at some point fatigue has to take its grip and the combination of all the travel and the fact that he has, plain and simply, played more matches than everyone else is sure to catch up with the fidgety Pole at some point. We also have to remember that we are stepping up a level to Grand Prix and that in combination with a fierce likely challenge coming from a strong Indian team in the shape of Jayaram, Sridhar, Pawar, Bhat and Chetan Anand and the home soil ambition of Eric Pang and Dicky Palyama, Wacha is sure to encounter his toughest challenge to date. But whatever may happen this week in Almere don’t be at all surprised if the likeable Pole has that winning grin on his face come Sunday. Probably the best opportunity for a Dutch victory will surely come in the women’s singles draw in the shape of Yao Jie. The Dutch number 1 has a pretty decent draw down the bottom half but to reach the final will eventually have to see off the challenge of stiff Asian opposition in the shape of Salakjit Ponsana or Fu Mingtan. Top Seed for the tournament is Thai wonder kid Porntip Buranaprasertsuk. The world number 11 is sure to be pushed to produce her top game in Almere this week and with the inform German Olga Konon and Judith Meulendjiks, who is surely to be lifted by her home support, on the hunt for Olympic points this women’s singles draw is looking just a little more open than it may seem on paper. The Dutch will also fancy their changes in all the doubles events and Koen Ridder and Ruud Bosch have a pretty decent chance seeded 4, if they can produce top form, to take a medal. Without doubt the home supporters will look to Van Dooremalen and Jonathans to some damage in the women’s doubles but certainly the most dangerous looking pair here are Shinta and Yao Lei from Singapore. The world number 15 pair from Singapore have already had a successful tour in Europe last month with a pair of wins in Ukraine and Belgium but German outfit of Marinello and Michels will be looking to avenge their epic three set defeat in Kharkov and themselves make a final and bag some much needed Olympic qualification points. Finally the mixed doubles is truly a world class event with the top 3 seeded pairs all inside the world’s top 10. The Thai combinations of Prapakamol/Thoungthongkam and Anugritayawon/Voravichitchaikul are installed as the top two seeds but all European eyes will hope that Fuchs and Michels can prevent an all Thai final. A little word of note though to anyone who may fancy a flutter on an outside chance of a home victory. Keep an eye on Khodabux and Piek as this pair look to have that chemistry required as the Dutch continue to chop and change mixed partnerships. It is no coincidence that anyone who has Selena Piek alongside them on court tends to advance to the business end of most tournaments. http://www.badmintoneurope.com/news_item.aspx?id=54339
Very well written article! Is this guy a regular journalist/writer? I like the informative yet casual style. It almost makes me want to watch the Dutch Open. (almost)
He traveles the euro circuit and does the interviews and commentary on badmintoneurope.tv on a more regular basis since this year(?). Also affiliated to Badzine where you can find plenty of his articles (http://www.badzine.net/who-we-are/).
[Unofficial] 5 more years of Dutch Open and Nationals at this venue . Pretty logical given the geographic location (central) and top notch facility and floor . With any luck the surrounding area will be filled up with ... anything, like a nearby grocery market. Still as empty as 5 years ago on this side of the track ...
Sounds good it seems that this tournament is getting a lot of attention despite it's GP status, which is a shame really. Venue looks good though from what I've seen.
I guess there was a supermarket nearby after all: http://maps.google.nl/maps?q=Hongar...code_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CCUQ8gEwAA Didn't realize it was this close to the venue, probably saw it from the train and never linked the two together . Still quite some way if one wants to walk there depending on whether that path closest to it actually exists already. Well you can see how empty the surrounding is (venue white box right bottom corner; scroll down left bottom corner for ... tha beach)
After bagged 3 titles in a row in Brazil, Czech, Bulgaria, Wacha couldn't continue his journey in Almere, stopped by TPE Hsueh Hsuan Yi at QF, 21-19 / 19-21 / 14-21. Must be fatigue to play 4 tourneys in 4 consecutive weeks...
