21-19: Boe/ Mogensen clinch the semifinal with a very concentrated finish
19-19: Strong attack from Boe
18-18: Mind game in flat play
16-16: Danes very alert in service situation
14-16: England playing more clever now, not so much offense <=> defense
13-15: The match on line now
9-11: The english attack is a little more patient now. Good variation.
6-7: England are good in service and return
4-2: same situations as in first game
21-16: After a slow start the danish defense does the trick and actually an easy game.
18-14: England attacking relentlessly but the danes counterattack
16-14: Brilliant defense from both danes
11-11: English pair got off to a good start, but the danes have found their A-game now
Friday, October 23, 2009
Practice like the Pro's
Preliminary schedule for tomorrows sessions: Practice like the Pro's with Salim Sameon and Steen Schleicher Pedersen
Welcome and introduction
0 Warm up
1 Footwork - Asian style
2 Basic exercises single
3 Multifeeding single
4 Speed practice
5 Repetition practice
6 Overload game practice
2 Basic exercises single
3 Multifeeding single
4 Speed practice
5 Repetition practice
6 Overload game practice
Schedule subject to change
Practice hours:
08:30 - 09.30
09.30 - 10.30
10.30 - 11.30
Chen Long vs Marc Zwiebler
Watch the last rallies on The Denmark Open Channel on YouTube later
13-21: Big match of the german player
11-19: Big mistakes at net by Zwiebler
10- 19: Chen on autopilot, he doesn't know what to do, just pushing it back hoping for the best
10-17: He's gonna do it- I think - this could be the first ever SS semifinal for a german MS player
10-14: Let's see if Zwiebler has control over his nerves, but Chen looks worried
8-11: Zwiebler playing really well, good feeling, deceptions and patience. It's now is Chen is to stage a comeback
2-5: Net down in Odense - Zwiebler taking first game and continues to look poised. He was practically out of the tournament yesterday trailing Hafiz 4-16 but won, so its like a 2nd chance for him today
15-21:
11-15: Good points for Zwiebler here killing at the net reading Chen well
10-12: chen closing in attacking a bit more trying to increase pace
8-12: Zwiebler still looking good, mot making mistakes so far.
4-8: Zwiebler with a lot of deceptions and sharp play
2-2
13-21: Big match of the german player
11-19: Big mistakes at net by Zwiebler
10- 19: Chen on autopilot, he doesn't know what to do, just pushing it back hoping for the best
10-17: He's gonna do it- I think - this could be the first ever SS semifinal for a german MS player
10-14: Let's see if Zwiebler has control over his nerves, but Chen looks worried
8-11: Zwiebler playing really well, good feeling, deceptions and patience. It's now is Chen is to stage a comeback
2-5: Net down in Odense - Zwiebler taking first game and continues to look poised. He was practically out of the tournament yesterday trailing Hafiz 4-16 but won, so its like a 2nd chance for him today
15-21:
11-15: Good points for Zwiebler here killing at the net reading Chen well
10-12: chen closing in attacking a bit more trying to increase pace
8-12: Zwiebler still looking good, mot making mistakes so far.
4-8: Zwiebler with a lot of deceptions and sharp play
2-2
Simon Santoso vs R.M.V. Gurusaidutt
21-15: and Simon through to semifinal
17-12: Simon's gonna win for sure
11-5: Simon is taking control of the match, having read Guru's style now
21-17: Simon taking first game, Guru a little impatient when the game was decided.
17-17
11-10: very close game so far, Guru quite unimpressed by his first appearance in SS QF
9-8: Simon probably measureing what he's up against
4-4: Young Indian off to an OK start against Simon
17-12: Simon's gonna win for sure
11-5: Simon is taking control of the match, having read Guru's style now
21-17: Simon taking first game, Guru a little impatient when the game was decided.
17-17
11-10: very close game so far, Guru quite unimpressed by his first appearance in SS QF
9-8: Simon probably measureing what he's up against
4-4: Young Indian off to an OK start against Simon
3. Questions, Comments and Miscellaneous
Jan beats Gade watch the final rallies on Denmark Open Channel on YouTube later
Jan in a strong comeback taking 2nd game 21-17....Final game
Jan is being squashed in the first game 21-7, really strong performance from Peter
Gade is using flick serv - this is very surprising!!!
Now Peter G vs Jan O on the TV court
The hall in Odense is full today, so very wise move to play in the Idratshall instead of the big Arena Funen. Much better setup and nice cheering from the crowd - mostly for the danish players
Jan in a strong comeback taking 2nd game 21-17....Final game
Jan is being squashed in the first game 21-7, really strong performance from Peter
Gade is using flick serv - this is very surprising!!!
Now Peter G vs Jan O on the TV court
The hall in Odense is full today, so very wise move to play in the Idratshall instead of the big Arena Funen. Much better setup and nice cheering from the crowd - mostly for the danish players
Sony Kuncoro vs Chetan Anand
21-14: Sony's looking good
18-14: Sony's going to finish it off in two games.
15- 14: Fantastic save from Anand after netkill from Sony
15-12: About to kick into gear again with more attacks
14-12: big mistake from Sony
14-11: Sony has slowed down pace a bit
11-4: Chetan does not have the weapons to challenge Sony in his current form. He looks like a good bet for the final victory
6-2: No change - still Sony in control
21-17: Sony takes the first game and he looks like he is able to put his game up a gear or two if necessary
19-14: Sony cruising
18-14: Sony's going to finish it off in two games.
15- 14: Fantastic save from Anand after netkill from Sony
15-12: About to kick into gear again with more attacks
14-12: big mistake from Sony
14-11: Sony has slowed down pace a bit
11-4: Chetan does not have the weapons to challenge Sony in his current form. He looks like a good bet for the final victory
6-2: No change - still Sony in control
21-17: Sony takes the first game and he looks like he is able to put his game up a gear or two if necessary
19-14: Sony cruising
15-11: Anand seems to be more confident now but still Sony in control
11-7: Sony is controlling the match while Anand tries to follow his pace
4-2: Sony looks speedy from the very start
Players warming up.....
11-7: Sony is controlling the match while Anand tries to follow his pace
4-2: Sony looks speedy from the very start
Players warming up.....
Saina Nehwal vs Hirose Eriko
13-21: Unseeded Hirose Eriko in the semifinal for the first time since her knee injury, showing some of the form she had a couple of years ago
11-16: Saina moves better now but needs to cut down the mistake rate
8-12: Saina tries to stay in the match
2-11:
2-6: Saina still trailing. The two players are much alike in style, just seems Hirose is a bit better
11-21: Hirose playing in a much faster speed than Saina. it almost looks as if she's ill or injured
7-14: Saina looking nervous
5-11: Both players trying to play very close - too close- to the lines thus producing a lot of errors
3-8: Hirose off to a flying start
11-16: Saina moves better now but needs to cut down the mistake rate
8-12: Saina tries to stay in the match
2-11:
2-6: Saina still trailing. The two players are much alike in style, just seems Hirose is a bit better
11-21: Hirose playing in a much faster speed than Saina. it almost looks as if she's ill or injured
7-14: Saina looking nervous
5-11: Both players trying to play very close - too close- to the lines thus producing a lot of errors
3-8: Hirose off to a flying start
Nova/Natsir vs Tao/Zhang
13-21: Chinese victory, and Nova not looking very strong. Rumours were that they were to split up, and to me it seems like the only wise thing to do.
10-17: Nova being moved side to side can't do anything
10-16: great rush to the net by Tao
8-14: The defensive tactic is in effect now
8-13: Unforced errors in attack
8-11: chinese still attacking, but with more patience. Now on the side where there seems to be a little headwind so maybe more defensive tactics now
7-7: Chinese pair more agressive now, and it's not doing them any good
3-6: Yawen dominating the net now
0-1: Nova smash in net
17-21: Nova being worked at the backcourt all the time. He is simply not dangerous enough from this position. Great defense from the chinese pair keeping Natsir out of the game. Interesting to see if they can come up with a counter strategy to the chinese tactics
16-19: Indons just won a long long rally, they are working very hard for their points
11-16: Nonchalant play by Indons
10-13: Service fault Nova
7-11: Nova is being worked at the backcourt which opens up for mistakes from below net
5-7: Again Nova is making som mistakes
21-10: The indons of course know each other very well and it's clear that Yawen/Tao doesn't have the same mutual understanding. Interesting to see if Nova/Natsir can keep it going
14-7: Yawen has not been able to make a difference
11-7: Indons looking good
9-6: Indons playing mostly soft strokes
5-5: Easy mistakes from Nova
5-2: Fast start by indo
10-17: Nova being moved side to side can't do anything
10-16: great rush to the net by Tao
8-14: The defensive tactic is in effect now
8-13: Unforced errors in attack
8-11: chinese still attacking, but with more patience. Now on the side where there seems to be a little headwind so maybe more defensive tactics now
7-7: Chinese pair more agressive now, and it's not doing them any good
3-6: Yawen dominating the net now
0-1: Nova smash in net
17-21: Nova being worked at the backcourt all the time. He is simply not dangerous enough from this position. Great defense from the chinese pair keeping Natsir out of the game. Interesting to see if they can come up with a counter strategy to the chinese tactics
16-19: Indons just won a long long rally, they are working very hard for their points
11-16: Nonchalant play by Indons
10-13: Service fault Nova
7-11: Nova is being worked at the backcourt which opens up for mistakes from below net
5-7: Again Nova is making som mistakes
21-10: The indons of course know each other very well and it's clear that Yawen/Tao doesn't have the same mutual understanding. Interesting to see if Nova/Natsir can keep it going
14-7: Yawen has not been able to make a difference
11-7: Indons looking good
9-6: Indons playing mostly soft strokes
5-5: Easy mistakes from Nova
5-2: Fast start by indo
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Adcock/White vs Diju/Jwala
21-19: England steal the match. Impressive performance from Chris Adcock when they needed it most. He practically scored the last 4 points himself. 
17-18: Adcock stepping up now
16-18: English hit the rackets together
15-17: England climb back reading the game well
10-16: Precise control-strokes from Diju
10-11: great play from White at the net
8-11: Both pairs givin' it all, playing difficult strokes and making mistakes. The pair that can keep composure has the best chance
5-9: 4 easy points for India
5-5: close as both pairs try to get the upper hand
22-20: Mishit from Diju
21-20 Adcock strong in forehand side
19-20 service fault Adcock
19-19: Much relies on Adcock rightnow
16-18: England staying in the game but weaknesses when White is at the backcourt
11-14: Total turnaround...England forcing the game too much
11-8: Adcock has taken a step forward on the court and right now he and white are fighting their way back into this match. I think they're going to win this game
7-7: English are struggling but started much better in 2nd game. White is more at the net where she's comfortable
11-21: A little special style the indian pair is playing. Much more soft strokes than other pairs. White has not been a factor in the 1st game
10-18: Still little hope for Adcock/White in this game
2-11: Great play by the Indian pair, playing flat strokes and controlling the net very well
2-8: Excellent start for Jwala and her left hand at the net ( ske is also lefthanded at the backcourt :-) )
Players warming up....
16-18: English hit the rackets together
15-17: England climb back reading the game well
10-16: Precise control-strokes from Diju
10-11: great play from White at the net
8-11: Both pairs givin' it all, playing difficult strokes and making mistakes. The pair that can keep composure has the best chance
5-9: 4 easy points for India
5-5: close as both pairs try to get the upper hand
22-20: Mishit from Diju
21-20 Adcock strong in forehand side
19-20 service fault Adcock
19-19: Much relies on Adcock rightnow
16-18: England staying in the game but weaknesses when White is at the backcourt
11-14: Total turnaround...England forcing the game too much
11-8: Adcock has taken a step forward on the court and right now he and white are fighting their way back into this match. I think they're going to win this game
7-7: English are struggling but started much better in 2nd game. White is more at the net where she's comfortable
11-21: A little special style the indian pair is playing. Much more soft strokes than other pairs. White has not been a factor in the 1st game
10-18: Still little hope for Adcock/White in this game
2-11: Great play by the Indian pair, playing flat strokes and controlling the net very well
2-8: Excellent start for Jwala and her left hand at the net ( ske is also lefthanded at the backcourt :-) )
Players warming up....
Jan O Jorgensen vs Eric pang
21-11: Easy win for Jan as he increased the pace. Pang has better and more precise shots, but they're only working at lover pace.
13-5: Jan is going to win this match.
9-4: Great netplay from Jan
4-1: Jan continues to put pressure on Pang
21-11: Just in the nick of time Jan got his game going. I think it's going to be tough for Pang to clinch this now.
He has to reduce the pace of the game to bounce back
17-11: Jan is faster now and forces Pang to make mistakes
11-9
10-9: Jan has stopped the bleeding, playing more flat strokes now, and challenging the net
4-7: Jan tries to play longer rallies, but Pang is doin' a lot of shotmaking today - it's on the line
9-21: 1st game easily to Pang who seems content, and why shouldn't he. Jan must put pressure on him and increase the pace.
9-19: Pang is shutting Jan down in this game, really precise shots, and errors from Jan
6-11: Pang has played really nice shots in the beginning of the match and has been in control so far. I expect to see Jan a bit more agressive now
2-5: Play has just started. Jan O is a big favourite with the bookies, but a close match is more to my expectations.
13-5: Jan is going to win this match.
9-4: Great netplay from Jan
4-1: Jan continues to put pressure on Pang
21-11: Just in the nick of time Jan got his game going. I think it's going to be tough for Pang to clinch this now.
He has to reduce the pace of the game to bounce back
17-11: Jan is faster now and forces Pang to make mistakes
11-9
10-9: Jan has stopped the bleeding, playing more flat strokes now, and challenging the net
4-7: Jan tries to play longer rallies, but Pang is doin' a lot of shotmaking today - it's on the line
9-21: 1st game easily to Pang who seems content, and why shouldn't he. Jan must put pressure on him and increase the pace.
9-19: Pang is shutting Jan down in this game, really precise shots, and errors from Jan
6-11: Pang has played really nice shots in the beginning of the match and has been in control so far. I expect to see Jan a bit more agressive now
2-5: Play has just started. Jan O is a big favourite with the bookies, but a close match is more to my expectations.
Next Blog is Saina Nehwal vs Camilla Sorensen
Sorry... We've experienced big trouble with the internet access here in Odense, but the short story is that Saina as expected was in control throughout the match. Camilla played good rallies but was generally trailing and had difficulties reaching Saina’s precise dropshots. Score 21-15 21-14
Players warming up.... Saina of course the big favourite to win this match after her impresssing performances this year.
2. Questions, Comments and Miscellaneous
Small upset in the all english men's double as young Chris Adcock together with Robert Blair defeated fellow countrymen Anthony Clark/ Nathan Robertson. Robertson/ Clark won the Singapore Super Series this summer.
Chen eventually progressed to the quarterfinals. After the match he told that he had fever yesterday, but was feeling a little better today and was pleased to stay in the tournament.
Match very close now, with many exciting rallies. Chen Long is more agile than in 1 st game.
Chen Long just lost first game to Kenichi Tago. I might be wrong but the chinese player didn't impress me in 1st game. He looked a bit stiff in his movement and very vulnerable to deceptions
Live Blog Simon Santoso vs Arvind Bhat available in malaysian here
Thursdays matches has begun. Live stream is court two currently showing ladies singles between Hirose Eriko and Olga Konon. Hirose with a big bandage on her right knee has taken game 1 and looks in control.
Bonde & Mollyhus in upset win against Hendra Gunawan/ Alven Yulianto. Simon Mollyhus who just got back from an injury has been paired up with Rasmus Bonde. They pulled off the biggest upset of the day in men's doubles beating indonesien aces Gunawan/ Yulianto in straight games. The Danes showed great spirit throughout the game, and you could see they really wanted this win
Peter Gade now on Live stream from Odense.
Here there will be short comments on other matches, and you alsohave the possibility to post comments and questions, regarding what's going on in the Arena.
Chen eventually progressed to the quarterfinals. After the match he told that he had fever yesterday, but was feeling a little better today and was pleased to stay in the tournament.
Match very close now, with many exciting rallies. Chen Long is more agile than in 1 st game.
Chen Long just lost first game to Kenichi Tago. I might be wrong but the chinese player didn't impress me in 1st game. He looked a bit stiff in his movement and very vulnerable to deceptions
Live Blog Simon Santoso vs Arvind Bhat available in malaysian hereThursdays matches has begun. Live stream is court two currently showing ladies singles between Hirose Eriko and Olga Konon. Hirose with a big bandage on her right knee has taken game 1 and looks in control.
Bonde & Mollyhus in upset win against Hendra Gunawan/ Alven Yulianto. Simon Mollyhus who just got back from an injury has been paired up with Rasmus Bonde. They pulled off the biggest upset of the day in men's doubles beating indonesien aces Gunawan/ Yulianto in straight games. The Danes showed great spirit throughout the game, and you could see they really wanted this win
Peter Gade now on Live stream from Odense.
Here there will be short comments on other matches, and you alsohave the possibility to post comments and questions, regarding what's going on in the Arena.
Clark/ Kellogg vs Ikeda/ Shiota
21-14: Easy win in 2nd game. English pair seems to be playing well at the moment, and they didn't let the concentration slip today
19-13: strong attack from Clarky
16-8: Very difficult for the japanese pair to climb back
11-4: Commanding lead for Clark/ Kellogg. Playing very wisely keeping the shuttle soft and low, and shows great patience in attack
5-3: Japanese pair still struggling with the play from below net
2nd Game
21-17: A lot of easy mistakes from Reiko/Ikeda. Seems like there might be some wind in the small hall in Odense....watch the last 3 rallies on YouTube (allow time for upload)
18-15: 4 lobs from japan pair out over baseline
13-15: Strong play on front court from Reiko
13-12: Ikeda struggles from the backcourt, mostly wanting to play from middle court and onwards
8-11: Ikeda likes to play really fast, and keeping a constant high pace. Old korean mix champ Joo Bong is coaching, so probably goin' to mix it with some soft strokes..
6-7: english pair got the best start but Japan closing in now
Players warming up....
Next liveblog is Anthony Clark/ Donna Kellogg against Shintaro Ikeda/ Reiko Shiota. This is the first time I'm going to see the new japanese pair in action, and I'm looking forward to this match....
19-13: strong attack from Clarky
16-8: Very difficult for the japanese pair to climb back
11-4: Commanding lead for Clark/ Kellogg. Playing very wisely keeping the shuttle soft and low, and shows great patience in attack
5-3: Japanese pair still struggling with the play from below net
2nd Game
21-17: A lot of easy mistakes from Reiko/Ikeda. Seems like there might be some wind in the small hall in Odense....watch the last 3 rallies on YouTube (allow time for upload)
18-15: 4 lobs from japan pair out over baseline
13-15: Strong play on front court from Reiko
13-12: Ikeda struggles from the backcourt, mostly wanting to play from middle court and onwards
8-11: Ikeda likes to play really fast, and keeping a constant high pace. Old korean mix champ Joo Bong is coaching, so probably goin' to mix it with some soft strokes..
6-7: english pair got the best start but Japan closing in now
Players warming up....
Next liveblog is Anthony Clark/ Donna Kellogg against Shintaro Ikeda/ Reiko Shiota. This is the first time I'm going to see the new japanese pair in action, and I'm looking forward to this match....
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
1. Questions, Comments and Miscellaneous
Live Blog Simon Santoso vs Arvind Bhat available in malaysian here
Thursdays matches has begun. Live stream is court two currently showing ladies singles between Hirose Eriko and Olga Konon. Hirose with a big bandage on her right knee has taken game 1 and looks in control.
Bonde & Mollyhus in upset win against Hendra Gunawan/ Alven Yulianto.
Simon Mollyhus who just got back from an injury has been paired up with Rasmus Bonde. They pulled off the biggest upset of the day in men's doubles beating indonesien aces Gunawan/ Yulianto in straight games. The Danes showed great spirit throughout the game, and you could see they really wanted this win
Peter Gade now on Live stream from Odense.
Here there will be short comments on other matches, and you alsohave the possibility to post comments and questions, regarding what's going on in the Arena.
Thursdays matches has begun. Live stream is court two currently showing ladies singles between Hirose Eriko and Olga Konon. Hirose with a big bandage on her right knee has taken game 1 and looks in control.
Bonde & Mollyhus in upset win against Hendra Gunawan/ Alven Yulianto.
Simon Mollyhus who just got back from an injury has been paired up with Rasmus Bonde. They pulled off the biggest upset of the day in men's doubles beating indonesien aces Gunawan/ Yulianto in straight games. The Danes showed great spirit throughout the game, and you could see they really wanted this win
Peter Gade now on Live stream from Odense.
Here there will be short comments on other matches, and you alsohave the possibility to post comments and questions, regarding what's going on in the Arena.
Choose Live-streaming for thursday
For thursdays matches you now have the chance to decide - by voting - if you want court 2 or court 3 to be livestreamed. Only one court is streamed and the setting is for the entire day. Vote by clicking the header of this post and then add your vote in the comment box below :-)
Simon Santoso - Sho Sasaki
21-16 Sasaki can play at a quite good pace, with an OK attack, but his game is easily read, and Simon didn't make many errors today.
18-15: Simon is clearly back in control. As soon as he changed his pace, he was good.
11-10: Simon has stepped up and is now playing at afaster pace. Both players keeping the shuttle as low as possible. Seems Simon deception abilities is going to make a difference
2-6: Sasaki has continued his good run from late in the first game and is playing faster than Simon atm
21-17: Simon takes the set mainly due to a big lead in beginning of the set and I think he has to step up a gear to finish it in straight games.
18-15: Sasaki is playing much better now, attacking and putting a lot of pressure on Simon
11-5: Simon in total control of the game.
4-0: Easy start for Simon
18-15: Simon is clearly back in control. As soon as he changed his pace, he was good.
11-10: Simon has stepped up and is now playing at afaster pace. Both players keeping the shuttle as low as possible. Seems Simon deception abilities is going to make a difference
2-6: Sasaki has continued his good run from late in the first game and is playing faster than Simon atm
21-17: Simon takes the set mainly due to a big lead in beginning of the set and I think he has to step up a gear to finish it in straight games.
18-15: Sasaki is playing much better now, attacking and putting a lot of pressure on Simon
11-5: Simon in total control of the game.
4-0: Easy start for Simon
Mixdouble: Clark/Kellogg vs Koo/Wong
21-11: Clark & Kellogg through to next round
16-11: English pair looks poised now controlling the game once again
10-10: A repeat of the first set, the Malaysians have stepped up
7-2: Bad start for Malaysia, looking a bit tired and indifferent
3-0: Good start for England
Anthony/Donna have got the right tactics to beat the malaysians, the question is can they keep their composure?
21-16: England bounce back and force a decider
16-12: Clark/ Kellogg back in control
10-11: C&K try to put Wong on the backcourt and have the upper hand when they succeed. Wong is more challenging now when she's at the net.
9-10: Umpire called two shots against C&K
Clearly unsatisfying for the english pair, who controlled the game and squandered a big lead
23-25: The malaysian steal the game.
22-22: Clark a little impatient from backcourt
20-21: Great netplay by Wong
20-17:
18-16: Couple of concentration lapses from Clark and it's a close game again
17-11: Clark/ Kellogg playing very well at the moment. Keeping the attack - controlling the net
13-10: Best rally of the match won by Kellogg
11-8: 3K clearly the dominating player for the malaysian side. Kellogg dominating the front court at the moment
7-7: Close start. A lot of rallies between Kellogg and 3K
Monday, October 19, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Womens Singles draw
Chinese players expected to dominate womens singles but with some international challenges.
The first thing that strikes me when I look at the draw, is that it’s not a good draw to meet Q2 or Q4. Very strong chinese players are expected to come of these two qualifying pools.
That raises the question if it’s not the time to come up with some amendments to the rules for accepting players into the main draw.
One solution could be to give exemption for a Super Serie win. I.e. if you win a Super Serie you are exempt into the main draw for the next 5 Super Series, if you loose the final it’s 3 and if you reach the semi it’s the next Super Serie.
I think it’s time to do something, and at the same time take a good look at the notional points in the doubles, which has become more and more confusing and seemingly unfair.
Anyway the chinese players are most likely going to dominate this category as they use to, with the international threat coming mainly from Tine Rasmussen and Saina Nehwal.
Adryanti Firdasari will be looking to spring another surprise in the first round against Wang Yihan, but I think it will be very difficult for her this time, as the chinese team now is warned beforehand of her abilities.
I have Wang Yihan as my personal favourite to win this tournament but there can be many obstacles on the way. One of them might be a second round match against Wong Mew Choo. However it’s been a very long time since Mew Choo has shown the form that won her the China Open Super Serie, and it seems she is struggling very hard to make a comeback to the top of womens singles. An all chinese quarterfinal is expected in the bottom draw as I see no serious challengers to Jiang Yanjiao in the first two rounds.
Hirose Eriko who is also on a comeback trail has been drawn against Tine Rasmussen. That’s not a nice draw for any of the players beforehand, but Tine should be the favourite to prevail and meet either Judith Meulendijks, who has been injured for a month, or Susan Egelstaff (former Hughes). Hopefully for the danes the form of Tine Rasmussen should improve with more tournament matches played after her 5 month injury break.
Saina Nehwal will play strong bulgarian Petya Nedeltcheva in a very interesting first round match, and I expect the winner to move on to the quarters quite easily.
Second quarter is an all european quarter, with Schenk, Pi and Yao Jie as the strongest contenders, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Juliane Schenk who enters the semi’s of the three. I think her form is on its way up, and she has a good attitude on court – that is for herself, maybe the opponents doesn’t like it, but she shows self confidence and emotion and I like that.
Ohh and don’t forget Wang Shixian will go into this quarter and maybe prove too strong for the european girls.
The first quarter will be an all chinese affair and we can expect some world class matches. Wang Lin, Wang Xin and Lu Lan will battle it out for a place in the semi’s, and as a dane I would like World Champion Lu Lan to go far in this tournament and maybe, just maybe set up a rematch with Tine. Strange when I saw Lu at the worlds it looked like she has gained quite a lot of weight, did any of you notice that.
Overall the chinese team is very strong and will undoubtfully dominate the tournament, but there are players in the field that can challenge them, and it might be easier in the early rounds when there should be some kind of jetlag left with the asian players.
Prediction to meet in final: Wang Yihan vs Lu Lan Outsider: Tine Rasmussen
The first thing that strikes me when I look at the draw, is that it’s not a good draw to meet Q2 or Q4. Very strong chinese players are expected to come of these two qualifying pools.
That raises the question if it’s not the time to come up with some amendments to the rules for accepting players into the main draw.
One solution could be to give exemption for a Super Serie win. I.e. if you win a Super Serie you are exempt into the main draw for the next 5 Super Series, if you loose the final it’s 3 and if you reach the semi it’s the next Super Serie.
I think it’s time to do something, and at the same time take a good look at the notional points in the doubles, which has become more and more confusing and seemingly unfair.
Anyway the chinese players are most likely going to dominate this category as they use to, with the international threat coming mainly from Tine Rasmussen and Saina Nehwal.
Adryanti Firdasari will be looking to spring another surprise in the first round against Wang Yihan, but I think it will be very difficult for her this time, as the chinese team now is warned beforehand of her abilities.
I have Wang Yihan as my personal favourite to win this tournament but there can be many obstacles on the way. One of them might be a second round match against Wong Mew Choo. However it’s been a very long time since Mew Choo has shown the form that won her the China Open Super Serie, and it seems she is struggling very hard to make a comeback to the top of womens singles. An all chinese quarterfinal is expected in the bottom draw as I see no serious challengers to Jiang Yanjiao in the first two rounds.
Hirose Eriko who is also on a comeback trail has been drawn against Tine Rasmussen. That’s not a nice draw for any of the players beforehand, but Tine should be the favourite to prevail and meet either Judith Meulendijks, who has been injured for a month, or Susan Egelstaff (former Hughes). Hopefully for the danes the form of Tine Rasmussen should improve with more tournament matches played after her 5 month injury break.
Saina Nehwal will play strong bulgarian Petya Nedeltcheva in a very interesting first round match, and I expect the winner to move on to the quarters quite easily.
Second quarter is an all european quarter, with Schenk, Pi and Yao Jie as the strongest contenders, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Juliane Schenk who enters the semi’s of the three. I think her form is on its way up, and she has a good attitude on court – that is for herself, maybe the opponents doesn’t like it, but she shows self confidence and emotion and I like that.
Ohh and don’t forget Wang Shixian will go into this quarter and maybe prove too strong for the european girls.
The first quarter will be an all chinese affair and we can expect some world class matches. Wang Lin, Wang Xin and Lu Lan will battle it out for a place in the semi’s, and as a dane I would like World Champion Lu Lan to go far in this tournament and maybe, just maybe set up a rematch with Tine. Strange when I saw Lu at the worlds it looked like she has gained quite a lot of weight, did any of you notice that.
Overall the chinese team is very strong and will undoubtfully dominate the tournament, but there are players in the field that can challenge them, and it might be easier in the early rounds when there should be some kind of jetlag left with the asian players.
Prediction to meet in final: Wang Yihan vs Lu Lan Outsider: Tine Rasmussen
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Men's singles draw
A chinese top draw against a danish bottom draw, that’s the first impression coming to me when I browse the draw.
Lin Dan, Chen Jin, Chen Long and Gong Weijie is all in the top draw. The last of the 5 chinese players, Bao Chunlai, is in the bottom draw together with the 3 best danish players at the moment. A scary draw anyway for the danes as Bao was the recent winner in Japan Super Series, and most likely will be the man to beat to make the final.
Lin Dan has some resistence in the early rounds from Wacha, though he seems to be far from form, and Sho Sasaki. However they should not pose real threats to perhaps the best player of all times. The challenges to him is from countrymen Chen Jin or Gong Weijie, and from Gade or Bao in the bottom draw.
Prediction to meet in final: Lin Dan vs Bao Chunlai Outsider: Peter Gade
Lin Dan, Chen Jin, Chen Long and Gong Weijie is all in the top draw. The last of the 5 chinese players, Bao Chunlai, is in the bottom draw together with the 3 best danish players at the moment. A scary draw anyway for the danes as Bao was the recent winner in Japan Super Series, and most likely will be the man to beat to make the final.
Peter Gade is seeded second and is projected to meet Bao already in the quarterfinal.
In that case it would be a rematch of the quarterfinal from Japan where Bao had an easy win.
However there might be obstacles on the way for the danish ace. Former All England champion
Hafiz Hashim is trying to relaunch himself after a long run of poor performances. His new coach, the former indonesian world champion Hendrawan, is working hard with Hafiz to get him back into contention for the biggest titles. If he survives his first round draw against talented dutchman Eric Pang, he might be able to spring a surprise in a second round matchup with Gade.
Theres a chance of an all danish second round matchup between Jan O and Joachim Persson. The last encounter of the two brought victory to Jan, who is looking to continue his impressive form from the worlds and the win in Bitburger Open.
German Marc Zwiebler is extremely talented, but seems to have trouble in “putting it all together”, and therefore he suffers some “unexplainable” losses against players he should easily beat. However it is my opinion that he has the ability to play at a very high level, though it probably isn’t high enough to beat Sony DK. The indonesian top gun will be the biggest challenge to Jan or Joachim for a semifinal spot.
The top draw is going to be a chinese affair if they all show up. Players that could spoil it for the chinese is Simon Santoso, who seems to be on his way up again after a dreadful year, and young japanese Kenichi Tago. They meet up in the first round, and no matter what, they will have a difficult time beating Lin Dan in the quarters, that is if they survive upcoming Chen Long.
However there might be obstacles on the way for the danish ace. Former All England champion
Hafiz Hashim is trying to relaunch himself after a long run of poor performances. His new coach, the former indonesian world champion Hendrawan, is working hard with Hafiz to get him back into contention for the biggest titles. If he survives his first round draw against talented dutchman Eric Pang, he might be able to spring a surprise in a second round matchup with Gade.
Theres a chance of an all danish second round matchup between Jan O and Joachim Persson. The last encounter of the two brought victory to Jan, who is looking to continue his impressive form from the worlds and the win in Bitburger Open.
German Marc Zwiebler is extremely talented, but seems to have trouble in “putting it all together”, and therefore he suffers some “unexplainable” losses against players he should easily beat. However it is my opinion that he has the ability to play at a very high level, though it probably isn’t high enough to beat Sony DK. The indonesian top gun will be the biggest challenge to Jan or Joachim for a semifinal spot.
The top draw is going to be a chinese affair if they all show up. Players that could spoil it for the chinese is Simon Santoso, who seems to be on his way up again after a dreadful year, and young japanese Kenichi Tago. They meet up in the first round, and no matter what, they will have a difficult time beating Lin Dan in the quarters, that is if they survive upcoming Chen Long.
Lin Dan has some resistence in the early rounds from Wacha, though he seems to be far from form, and Sho Sasaki. However they should not pose real threats to perhaps the best player of all times. The challenges to him is from countrymen Chen Jin or Gong Weijie, and from Gade or Bao in the bottom draw.
Prediction to meet in final: Lin Dan vs Bao Chunlai Outsider: Peter Gade
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