Two entertaining men's singles semis that contribute happy ending for home fans. Reasonable prospect for Christie to nail first ever S500 title in his badminton career, the Indonesian idol eliminates Shi YQ, thanks very much to stubborn defense to retrieve his opponent attacking smash, Shi was quite vulnerable and lack of instinct to vary shot as his pattern has been readable and anticipated by Asian Games gold medalist. Opening game witnessed the Chinese was blank and missed focus completely. Both players traded point in decider but Christie played well and full confident in late part of the game, executed firmly at crucial points. Later on, Wardoyo created wonderful comeback in gloomy perspective, trailing behind 3-11 after losing 17-21 to Ng KL, that's HKG seasoned campaigner huge blunder to ruin winning plot as the momentum swung gradually to the gutsy Indonesian. Extraordinary fitness level for An SY to book another final, the Korean targeted front area regularly where the below par Wang struggled throughout the match. Marin cruises to final after French Open last year and perhaps could end title draught since made comeback post injury break, the top-8 women's singles competition is really tight and promising as they beat each other alternately. Liu SS/Zhang SX continue excellent run, destroy Thai pair and will challenge former world number one Fukushima/Hirota and no impossible if the Chinese scratch combination would top podium. Humiliating scoreline for former World Champions Hoki/Kobayashi to score three points only in deciding game against Carnando/Marthin, just wondering whether the Japanese couldn't focus in very noisy background.
HeZhou should be the favourite, the more experienced pair imo. Though, they are priced as v slight underdog
What a thrilling opening final! Congrats to both pairs for the fantastic match, especially ZSX/LSS for the first final together! As I expected, FukuHiro is the real test for this new scratch pair, and thus some weaknesses exposed: - LSS played a good textbook for doubles formation, no creative shots or variations yet. It's understandable cause she's just 18, but to remain collected when FukuHiro catched up at the end of G2 was very good for a youngster. - There were some misunderstandings between ZSX and LSS, who would take the shuttles in between two people. - LSS often turned back when ZSX played at the back. This might be due to lack of trust and communication since this is their first time together. Hence making LSS late to some returned shots. Overall, a good performance for ZSX/LSS. If the match extended to G3, I wouldn't think ZSX/LSS win. Look forward to their next tournament next week, at Thailand S300
ASY is tired after 3 weeks of badminton without rest, she was runner up and winner and now in the final again. If she loses I will blame accumulated fatigue
Did something happen betweeen Fukushima and Hirota? Lately they look like they want to kill each other
CaroRin is just short but to me close to be Female Axelsen. If She hadnt had bad injuries, she will have won more SS than the current number titles. the way she can play long games with someone almost 10 years younger - ASY playing 3 consecs weeks nonetheless, is respectful
China may win 3 out of the 5 categories. I saw in the recent world junior championships they won most of the titles too. Their players seem to be peaking at the right time. The established players for the 2024 Olympics and the juniors likely for 2028. Sent from my SM-A136B using Tapatalk
Yeah no doubt CHN will win WD and XD. I dont know if they will win WS because there are too many WS there. Could have won 5 golds in Tokyo too.
I noticed in the earlier rounds Jiang is very good at midcourt play and finding gaps even below tape height
Yep and to add insult to injury Heo was sacked from the team after the national team trials, believe he was carrying a calf injury