They probably prefer meeting the Adcocks although playing in their home ground and with crowd support.
In the race to the Glasgow World Championship this August 2017, Shi is ranked 8 (will be highest ranked Chinese MS player after AE) and Lin Dan ranked 38 after Chen Long, Tian Houwei, etc... IOW, unless Li Yongbo issues some "special orders" by refusing to let Chen, Shi, Tian, etc enter/win the remaining 5 Super Series tournaments before Glasgow (or outright refusing to enter Shi, Tian, etc. at all), there is little chance of LD qualifying for the World Championship 2017 (or even appearing in the Sudirman Cup this May 2017)... So maybe the theory of salty LD fans is that: he is aiming for the December 2017 Dubai Super Series Finals-- that'll give him at least another 11 chances at grabbing gold, lol?
You are right in that few foreign players would be invited/hire to play in the star-studded Chinese league... but I am talking about Chinese/Asian businesses advertising themselves abroad, like all the Chinese billboards in the EPL and Danisa in Denmark... Heheh, you have no idea how unhappy Chinese fans/sponsors are with the exclusive deals that Li Yongbo keeps cutting for the national team for Li Ning-- not that there is any real problem with Li Ning, but such exclusive deals sometimes hinders the professional/commercial development of the sport in China (see also Danisa "buying out" the Danish national team)... with the Chinese badminton league basically looking like an internal training camp.
That Lin Dan - Viktor Axelson QF match was really a classic - like a 60min Hollywood movie - with all the action and twists. 10 years apart but the younger VA was clearly the more tired of the 2 in the end - go figure. However, Steen has to make up some silly excuse that it is not tiredness but nervousness at play, can you beat that? I know nervousness can make one loses his breathing rhythm somewhat but there is clearly a difference here. Uncle LD made so many line judgement errors and even gifted VA a net fault at a crucial moment in the 3rd set but VA still couldn't take convert in the end. It shows that Lin Dan, although no longer at his best, can still beat the best players. The only thing that pisses some people off is that they don't know when the real LD would show up. But when he does, it was badminton in its greatest beauty. Just look at his skills, reflexes and strategy in that game. I guess a 34-year old Lin Dan could retire in China today, migrate to almost any country and easily be top 3 if not no. 1 in India, Denmark, England, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. That would absolutely confuse the nationalistic wackos out there but this is a sensitive issue.
FINALS (12.00pm) => https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/...D0E721-E845-4C5C-8775-88BDCEDCA622&d=20170312 This year All England tagline cites the dawn of new era and it's described in today's final with some fresh faces march on. A signal where the young generation will replace old guard soon... XD, Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying (MAS) v Lu Kai/Huang Yaqiong (CHN) H-2-H stats : 0-3 / WR : 8 v 5 Malaysian fans should be worried if they look head to head stats as Chan/Goh never won in their three previous meetings but anything can happen in prestigious event. Rio silver medalists trounced Japanese youngsters Watanabe/Higashino in two straigt games, contrary with their final opponent Lu/Huang who experienced hard times against home favourite Chris and Gabby Adcock. The English married couple played good tactical play, fast paced game but too bad they couldn't hold the nerve of crucial moment at match point and gave the opportunity for the Chinese to grab three consecutive points and seal the match. Maybe it's time for Lu/Huang to step up in bigger tournament, they booked final spot in GER Open last week but lost to teammates Zhang N/Li YH. Once promoted to be one of promising pair but suddenly waned, under the shadow of their talented juniors Zheng SW/Chen QC. MS, Lee Chong Wei (MAS) v Shi Yuqi (CHN) H-2-H : 2-0 / WR : 1 v 10 21 years old Shi Yuqi derails Lee-Lin legendary showdown, a first time participation in All England and he storms to center stage, what a sensational breakthrough. Shi saved three game points against his high-profile senior compatriot, 18-20 to 24-22. The second game, Lin seemed lost focus, quite tired and produced many errors as the composed Shi nailed the match, 21-11. Earlier on TV court saw Lee Chong Wei dropped opening game easly, 10-21 before comeback to his rhythm and destroyed Chou Tien Chen who's lack of stamina at deciding game. The overwhelming favourite Lee will eye 4th All England title, three-time Olympic silver medalist Lee beat Shi Yuqi twice previously including the last encounter in Japan Superseries quarterfinal, 21-12 / 21-12. It's nothing to lose and just enjoying maiden Premier final for this young man in today's grand final to gain valuable experience, facing one of best MS player in last decade. One thing for sure China has found the new star, sigh of relief in current situation, the aging Lin Dan, disappointed Chen Long and inconsistent Tian Houwei. WD, Chang Ye Na/Lee So Hee (KOR) v Kamilla Rytter Juhl/Christinna Pedersen (DEN) H-2-H : 2-1 / WR : 5 v 2 It's equal chance for both finalists, the European champions Juhl/Pedersen were very determined in semifinal yesterday to dispose Korean Jung KW/Shin SC and they may break Asian domination in this department, Nora Perry/Jane Webster was the last time Euro pair topped All England podium in 1981. Chang/Lee performed well along this tournament including how they eliminated two China pairs in last two round. China chance to regain WD crown practically blew away since their lethal combination Chen/Jia were crashed out at opening round. This is first time that China WD fail to reach final after long-time domination in this category, last year Yu Yang/Tang Yuanting were stopped by Matsutomo/Takahashi. The Koreans snatched CHN Premier title while Juhl/Pedersen pocketed HKG Superseries crown in following week, a golden chance for them to be the best here in the upsets of those strongest contenders at early round. MD, Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen (CHN) v Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA) H-2-H : 1-0 / WR : 6 v 5 Two fast and furious pairs will face off this evening, a new generation of two badminton powerhouses, CHN-INA. It will be hard to predict as they have same motivation and typical of play to lift the coveted trophy. In the setback of mixed doubles outcome, Indonesia camp can rely hope to this rising pair Gideon/Sukamuljo who roared last year to win three Superseries titles. In other side, China MD discipline are doing beyond expectation here to tackle more favoured rival, Li/Liu edged out heavyweight foe Goh/Tan in thrilling three games at quarterfinal then knocked out Liu C/Zhang N in last four. The Indonesians came back stronger after losing narrowly to Conrad/Kolding at first game, the hardest hurdle en route to final berth as they displayed stable performance to eliminate previous opponents. WS, Tai Tzu Ying (TPE) v Ratchanok Intanon (THA) H-2-H : 6-7 / WR : 1 v 7 It's understandable why the organizer puts WS clash as last match, this should be blockbuster show. Two highly-talented youngsters whp have magical racket skill with disguising shots that often amaze badminton fans. Looking at the stats, a close contest will be projected, world number one Tai was blank and losing first set to familiar foe Sung Ji Hyun but what happened in next two games, she started to exhibit her expertise in shot variation that outplayed Sung. A superb comeback when met Carolina Marin in last eight have boosted Ratchanok Intanon confidence, she's stayed calm when the wonder teen Akane Yamaguchi saved two game point at first set. Maybe only fitness level is big problem for Intanon to take one step better than 2013 runner-up outing at Barclaycard Arena. Intanon showed her brilliant talent from junior years to capture WJC title thrice then huge leap at senior stage to bag World Champion title in 2013. A rollercoaster journey for Tai Tzu Ying to reach stardom, her biggest achievement so far is Dubai Finals winner twice (2014 & 2016), the more mature Tai is much better to maintain consistency lately.
there is no one from CHN in the All England women's doubles final!! First time in 22 years!! unbelievable!!
Chen Qingchen's double doubles ? So it goes. Chen Qingchen, Jia Yifan and Zheng Siwei, these three 19-year-olds rise to fast and too early in their career without having any hard knocks and lessons to mould and strengthen them for even greater things to come. Too bad, their first setback has to be at the cream of the Superseries, exiting in the early rounds and going home empty-handed. Not to worry, I'm sure it will serve as an impetus to make them hungrier, more determined, steadier and wiser in future. When the going gets tough, the tough get going as they've witnessed in Lin Dan in that exhilarating and inspirational quarterfinal match with Viktor Axelsen.
why did the organiser put TTY vs RI at the end? don't they know people in Asia would be at sleep at those hours? and tomorrow is Monday!!!!
