Zhu Lin - The Next Queen from China?
I was impressed by Zhu Lin when she last played in the Malaysian Open and have actually posted a thread on 29 Jan 2007, extracts of which are reproduced here.
I asked that question and now got the answer the she is the new World Champion for another two years, since the WC will not be held in 2008, the Olympics year.
http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40347
Zhu Lin - The Next Queen from China?
Veteran Zhang Ning is still World No.1, but her young compatriot Zhu Lin, 23, is showing she has the talent to replace her and Xie Xingfang in the not too distant future. But Zhu still has some way to go to emulate the great feats of Zhang, particularly in her strength and stamina, the lack of which showed up in her match against Wong Mew Choo during the Malaysia Open.
As of 25 January 2007, Zhu Lin is ranked 4th in the world, behind Zhang Ning, Xu Huaiwen (Germany), Wang Chen (Hong Kong). Behind her are Lu Lan and Xie Xingfang, who just beat her in the Korea Open. And another compatriot, Jiang Yanjao, is ranked 9th. But Zhu has beaten Xu Huaiwen in the KO and her final appearance there will certainly earn her more points and put her in contention for a higher ranking. She was previously ranked behind her contemporaries, Lu Lan and Jiang Yanjao but has now overtaken them.
Some facts about Zhu Lin:
1984 - Born in Shanghai.
1993 - Started badminton at 9.
1998 - Member of Shanghai Badminton Team
2002 - Joined the National Team at 18.
Notable Performances:
2006
* Champion: Indonesia and Thaland Opens.
* Elected as best young player in China's National Team.
* Runner-Up: Swiss and Korea Opens
2007
* Champion: Malaysia Open
* Runner-Up: Korea Open
Malaysia Open 2007 SS
Defeated:
R1 - Anu Nieminen (Finland) 21-13, 21-13 (30m)
R2 - Julia Wong (Malaysia) 21-8, 21-16 (27m)
QF - Hwang Hye Youn 21-10, 21-10 (28m)
SF - Yao Jie 21-8, 21-11 (26m)
F - Wong Mew Choo 21-14, 21.12 (42m)
Korea Open 2007 SS
Defeated:
R1 - Anna Rice (Canada) 21-11, 21-2 (21m)
R2 - Tine Rasmussen (Denmark) 21-17, 21-10 (30m)
QF - Xu Huaiwen (Germany) 21-11, 21-13 (29m)
SF - Petya Nedltecheva (Bulgaria) 21-9, 21-16 (30m)
F - Lost to Xie Xingfang (China) 14-21, 7-21 (33m)
(Xie did not play in the MO and the many matches must have taken a toll on Zhu Lin who is suspect on her strength and stamina as mentioned earlier.)
Zhu Lin is one of the few Chinese stars that is exceedingly good looking (regal and sophisticated) with a well-proportioned body that could easily fit into that of a professional model. Yet her hair is fiery like the male lion's mane in motion. Looks like there is both 'yin' and 'yang' in her!
Will Zhu Lin be the next Queen of the court?
Attached Images