With the exception of world No.1 Lee Chong Wei and Malaysia first double players Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong, all the top badminton players from all over the world have made their presence at the Singapore Open 2011 - to accumulate points in order to qualify for London Olympics 2012.
Singapore Open 2011 has entered its second day here in Singapore Indoor Stadium without much upset news coming from the top seeded players. Top men single player such as Lin Dan, Peter Gade, Chen Long, Bao Chun Lai, Park Shun Hwan and Chen Jin has advanced successfully into 2nd round of the tournament without much difficulty, except forTaufik Hidayat, who has to fought three hard matches before get himself a seat in the second round. Daren Liew from Malaysia has almost terminated the former Olympic champion journey in the 3 highly competitive games with closely tied score in the rubber set. It was the more experienced Taufik who finally won the game 22-24, 21-12, 21-18.
No big surprise in men double event as well. Cai Yun & Fu Hai Feng from China, as well as Lee Yong Dae & Jung Jae Sung from Korea have a relatively easy won in the first round. Lee Yong Dae was obviously not on form today as he has made several unforced errors. As to Fu Hai Feng, he accidentally hit himself after a furious smash during the first game, his funny expression after the incident created laughter within the crowd.
15 June, 2011
A quick update on Singapore Open 2011
08 June, 2011
The 3rd "Lee-Lin" battle expected at Indonesia Open 2011
In the Korea Open Super Series final earlier this year, the world no.1 Lee Chong Wei lost to Lin Dan in three tough games, but he soon gained his revenge in the All England Final by beating his long time rival in two straight sets. All the badminton lovers are eagerly expecting the third meeting between these two greatest men single player in the world badminton today.
The good news is we might not have to wait too long to see this happen, both of them are most likely to meet in the final of Indonesia Open 2011 scheduled between 21-26 June in Jakarta.
Seeded no.1 in the tournament, Chong Wei main obstacle on his route to final include Tommy Sugiarto (Indonesia), Chen Long (China), Boonsak Ponsana (Thailand), and Nguyen Tien Minh (Vietnam). He has to be particularly aware of Tommy Sugiarto as his previous two encounters with Tommy were extremely tough and difficult, where Chong Wei won in small margin in both occasion.
01 June, 2011
China lift 8th Sudirman Cup crown
The 3-0 easy win over Denmark in the Sudirman Cup final send yet another message to the world - Stop China domination in world badminton to increase the sports popularity !
Denmark's head coach admitted the existing gap between China and Denmark team. " We were swept away furiously, we didn't even have a chance."
China one sided show started with a brilliant start by Xu Chen & Ma Jin in the mixed double event, after they have beaten former world champions Christinna Pedersen & Joachim Fischer Nielsen in two straight games, 21-14, 21-14. The same fate then repeated in the following men single event. China first men single "Super Dan" has been in tremendous form that night, crashing Peter Gade in two relatively easy games 21-16, 21-11 in a match that last 49 minutes.
23 May, 2011
A special Sudirman Cup Opening
<<羽球紅娘>>, that is the main song presented at the 2-hour opening ceremony in QingDao, China.
But what is so special about this chinese song is it have been performed by 6 top shuttlers around the world, together with China main coach Li Yong Bo. The 6 invited shuttles include Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei, Cai Yun, Fu Hai Feng, Bao Chun Lai, and Peter Gade ! This is the first time Peter sing a chinese song.
" I knew about this song only last night in the studio, some body translated the song for me, and I roughly knew what it is about. But I could not read chinese lyrics, no body has taught me chinese before. I have tried my best." Said Peter Gade after the performance. But he seems comfortable with the rhythm of the song.
16 May, 2011
Malaysian second pair disappointed with BAM decision
Malaysia second seeds Gan Teik Chai & Tan Bin Shen have been droped out of representing Malaysia in the upcoming World Championship event, though their current world ranking of 16 qualify them on merit.
Much to their dismay, the Badminton Association of Malaysia ( BAM) has replaced them with the lower ranked pair Zakry - Tien How for the championship scheduled for 8-14 August in London. The reason given by BAM is Teik Chai & Bin Shen had not been in good form in recent tournaments, and they believe Zakry & Tien How are better pair.
" We made the decision without any bias or prejudice, and the world ranking does not reflect a player actual ability ", said Chin Chai, BAM secretary.
The decision has been made upon recommendation by Men Double coach Rexy, who felt Zakry & Tien How has greater potential to perform in the upcoming world championship. BAM insists that it has the absolute right to decide Malaysia representative in the event.
10 May, 2011
Koo & Tan finally end gold medal drought
The former All England champion Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong has finally attained their long awaited gold medal after 7 months of gold medal drought.
In the Malaysia Grand Prix Gold event here in Alor Setar which mark the beginning of the Olympics 2012 point accumulation system, the Malaysia top pair has defeated their counterpart from Indonesia in two straight games that last only 29 minutes. That was their easiest victory in the match so far due to injury from Alven Yulianto. Since last year, Alven Yulianto & Hendra Gunawan had quit as national player and play as independent profesional players in Indonesia.
Despite their win, Rexy is worried on Koo and Tan recent peformance. "Their performance in the semi final was unsatisfactory. They were obviously lacking of confidence, and unable to play to their best. I hope their win in the final will boost up their confidence level." Said Rexy, the Malaysia men double main coach.
But Rexy does compliment their victory in the first match of the final, and say that match represent their normal playing style. "That was exactly how I wanted them to play. Aggresive attacking playing style and speed ! Only when they play in this manner, they will be dreaded by all their opponents." Added Rexy.
06 May, 2011
Markis - Hendra remain upbeat despite loss at Malaysia Open
The Olympics men double champion Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan were knocked out at the second stage of Malaysia Grand Prix Gold event by an unseeded young Malaysian pairs, but that did not seems to have affected their happy mood - both of them are getting maried this year !
The 2007 World champion and 2008 Olympics gold medalist left national team earlier last year. Some have predicted that their performance will degrade along with their exit from national team. But the prediction was proven wrong after they have won the 2010 Asian Game after defeating Jung Jae Sung & Lee Yong Dae in the semifinal and Koo Kien Keat & Tan Boon Heong in the final. They have remained to be one of the most competitive team in the men double events.
