A wefie with Lin Dan ! Indeed, Lin Dan is the star attraction wherever he goes. This group, part of it, could be his fanatic fans who follow him everywhere all over the world, not only in China.
Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen, the Asian MD Champion 2017. To be frank,when they beat the JPN pair, Kamura/Sonoda, yesterday,I knew they will take the crown today.
Without kevin gideon , this is the tournament Li Liu knew they have to win and they did, its the tournament theirs to lose. too bad they didnt meet in quarters.
That is if they can find a counter to Boe/Moe's tactic of dragging out the speed of a pair and making the game slower. Of course, it will be interesting, there is no predictability in MD section.
Six titles since November last year, started from HKG Open, Dubai Finals, All England, MAS Premier, SIN Open and BAC. Tai Tzu Ying has transformed to better player, she kept focus, consistent and confident that she can win the match despite Akane Yamaguchi pushed her into the limit. Credit to this Japanese wonder kid who displayed strong determination and amazing fighting spirit. Slow starter by world number one at opening game then she increased the tempo to outmaneuver Yamaguchi in second game, the match became intense in deciding game as two players were lack of accuracy but Tai nailed it at crucial stage. Chen-Lin, the real match should be the opening game then a disappointment at next two games, one way traffic saw the Olympic Champion suddenly was too strong and dominant, Lin's stamina dropped drastically. Chen had no pressure and could exploit his best against his teammate, this title is really important for Chen Long that he's still exist in elite level after poor performance post Rio OG. But don't think so China will rely on him in upcoming Sudiman Cup. In doubles category, Lu/Huang once again prove they are the best mixed doubles pair at the moment, Thai pair had good chance to take first game then home pair injected the pace to turn the tables, solid defense combined with good attacking smashes. Second game was lopsided, Puavranukroh/Taertatanachai began to frustration and losing concentration. Matsutomo/Takahashi had trouble to find their rhytm against Korean surpsing duo Kim/Yoo, the underdogs dictated the tempo with their hard smashes and interception at front area but they couldn't control that fast paced game in decider, the Olympic Champion powered past them, 21-10. An anticlimax final in MD, no intensity as Li/Liu outclassed their compatriot in two quick games.