Pretty bad TV-Court scheduling once again this year.. Especially for WS.. Akane Yamaguchi vs Ratchanok on Court 3 seriously ?! 3 time and two time back-to-back SS Titles champions not even put on Court 2 -_- Better be some footage for Court 3 (one can dream).
ROUND OF 32 (10.00am) => https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/matches.aspx?id=12490F7E-629A-410C-9365-F7938C57AA25 Mixed doubles first round matches have been completed, big upset was created by local new scratch pair, the unranked Liu Cheng/Huang Dongping who edged past high-calibre Danish combo, world number three Fischer/Pedersen, 21-19 / 21-19. The top four seeds got opening round bye, automatically seal last sixteen spot. Almost all main draw tickets were secured by home players yesterday, only one slot of MS category went to Lin Yu Hsien who will up against Iskandar Zulkarnain. The other three qualifiers Guo Kai, Zhu Siyuan and Zhao Junpeng will challenge Kazumasa Sakai, Ajay Jayaram and Shi Yuqi respectively. In WS discipline, the lesser-known local shutttlers passed qualification stage, Zhang Yiman, Ji Shuting, Peng Qin and Hui Xirui also MD relatively fresh partnership, Lu Kai/Zheng Siwei as well.
Recent DEN Premier champion Tanongsak is sent packing by Japanese resilient player Takuma Ueda in two straight-games, 14-21 / 13-21.
What a comeback by He Bingjiao! She wasted two game points against qualifier Zhang Yiman in first set, 20-22 and trailed behind with big margin 2-11 then the left-handed player turned the tables to grab second game, 21-17.
The way Z Yiman demolished Li Yun yesterday I sort of expected her to give HBJ a run for her money. Both are about the same age.
The way the match between HBJ and ZYM panned out should bring out the smiles on the faces of the Chinese coaches. It shows that HBJ can survive a gruelling 3 setter and that they have another reasonably good youngster who can make the grade in WS if properly trained and given the right exposure.
Saina , as expected lost in the first round. Last year finalist and 2014 winner lost in the first round this year. It is unfortunate to see her struggling to retrieve . Hope to see her with her full fitness asap.
I missed the match. Is Zhang Yiman that good ? Maybe He Bingjiao after coming back fro the Europe tour is feeling a bit out of sorts and jetlagged the first few days before resuming proper training.Just saying.
I must say He Bingjiao has this uncanny ability to suddenly turn the match around when all seems lost. I also think it's partly due to her fitness issue although she has improved on it.
Qiao Bin is reading CTC's game, anticipating that lift to his deep backhand corner, back off quickly and thunder down the smash winner.
HBJ is no doubt quite tired after 3 consecutive tournaments in Europe. Z Yiman was overlooked in the WJC last year and the year before. Chen Xiaoxin and Li Yun were sent in those 2 years I mentioned if I remember correctly. Judging by the way she played against Li YUn yesterday and her match today I think she has improved. Unfortunately I couldn't see both matches.
Chen Long is moving quite well but playing a controlled game, not very offensive as compared with his Rio'16 campaign. I take it that he's not in top form.
