The Level in the 2nd set was very scary for such an unorthodox player like Lin Dan. My best wishes to him for the Final. As @Oldhand says : Badminton is Poetry when Lin Dan is on Fire.
A nice victory for Lin Dan over Heo Kwang Hee in two straight sets. But I noticed, if I may be allowed to be a bit of a wet blanket, that towards the end of G2, despite a hefty lead, Lin Dan showed visible signs of fatigue - there were a few occasions where he simply let the shuttle go without attempting to retrieve it, not that he couldn't afford it. It's a little concerning as it proves once again that as the tournament wears on the accumulated fatigue tends to take a toll on him more than on his (much) younger opponents and that's been the case this couple of years, most recently at the AE from the penultimate and final rounds. So, don't be too sure Lin Dan will certainly overcome the young strapping Jonatan who may be no match for the old maestro as far as skills and experience are concerned but fitness and stamina will be a real test for the living, perpetual legend. We'll see. Whatever, we are in for a treat tomorrow. And let's not forget to express our deepest appreciation to the New Zealand Open organizer for having the good sense to give Lin Dan special treatment in putting all his matches on TV court; perhaps that's their way of thanking the legendary Lin Dan for gracing the tournament for the first time in his long career. For that we, the crowd, TV viewers and fans all over the world, can't thank them enough.
Chen Hung Ling is the only world class badminton player I know of who's bespectacled. Wonder why he didn't choose to wear contact lenses.
Any idea what happened to Tommy Sugiarto who retired to Jonatan in G2 after being one game to the good ? Hope he's not seriously injured.
Just re-watched Lin Dan's SF match. In G1 19-14 around 32:30, it was funny how the line judge aka mopper rushed out after mopping LD's court and the audiences laughed at her abrupt and swift retreat off court (avoiding LD's eye contact). MF chuckled and commented about that scene, he thought she was too shy to be on the court and LD was probably her favorite idol. So cute.
FINAL (01.00pm) => https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/...6C1742-BE40-434A-B9FC-2F30B0C5F395&d=20180506 1) Seo Seung Jae/Chae Yujung (KOR) v Wang Chi Lin/Lee Chia Hsin (TPE) 2) Ayako Sakuramoto/Yukiko Takahata (JPN) v Cao Tongwei/Zheng Yu (CHN) 3) Sayaka Takahashi (JPN) v Zhang Yiman (CHN) 4) Lin Dan (CHN) v Jonatan Christie (INA) 5) Chen Hung Ling/Wang Chi Lin (TPE) v Berry Angriawan/Hardianto (INA) Top-two seeded of mixed doubles discipline tumbled in semifinal, the unranked Koreans create surprising feat to stun top-seed Puvaranukroh/Taerattanachai in long duration match, Seo/Chae almost played rubber games en route to final except quarterfinal where they knocked out Chinese back-ups Ou XY/Cao TW. We'll see whether two left-hander Korean players would be permanent pair after this tournament. Their final opponent are world #19 Wang CL/Lee CH, second time final after TPE GP Gold last year when they lost to Seo SJ/Kim HN, the Taiwanese duo eliminate He JT/Du Y in three close games. Last year beaten finalists Sakuramoto/Takahata are favoured to top podium this time against the inexperienced Cao TW/Zheng Y who make their debut in IND Open Super 500 last January. Multiple champion Zhao Yunlei is coaching this rookies in effort to seeking formidable WD pairs as China are struggling to succeed recently. Cao/Zheng defeat second seed Fukuman/Yonao and the toughest one Kim HR/Kong HY while their Japanese rivals sail pretty smoothly, only dropped one game against top-seed Haris/Pradipta at last eight. Uber Cup-bound player Sayaka Takahashi looks very determined since comeback from injury last year, bagging VIE GP & SUI Open. The unstoppable Japanese has hard times in semifinal to down compatriot Minatsu Mitani. The lower-ranked Zhang Yiman through to finale after beat her junir teammate, Han Yue. Zhang is coming from same generation with well-improved Gao Fangjie, she only participated four tournaments so far, best result is Macau Open semifinalist 2017. On paper prediction, it will be an uphill task for young Chinese to topple more fancied Takahashi. Match of the day, crowd favourite Lin Dan will find Indonesian challenger in last round. Lin tames Korean young hopeful Heo Kwang Hee with total control since the beginning, demonstrates artistic style that really bring Heo runs out of idea and keeps guessing his powerful opponent deceptive shots. Jonatan Christie alongside with Anthony Ginting are Indonesian leading players to revive flop performance post Taufik Hidayat era. Sai Praneeth manages right tactical play to outmaneuver Christie in opening game, then leading 9-3 in second game Pranneth lost momentum of his gameplan, 20 years old Indonesian closes the gap and level the scoreline, tight encounter won by Chrisite, 21-19. This circumstances certainly boosts his confidence at deciding game that unfortunately occurs one-sided afffair. Head to head stats, 3-2 favours to Chinese maestro but last meeting won by Christie in 2017 CHN Premier first round. Defending champion Chen HL/Wang CL take revenge over China juniors He JT/Tan Q in two quick games, also same fashion how they overcome previous opponents. Contrary with their final hurdle, Angriawan/Hardianto find quite tough journey to cruise into final and it will be difficult test for the Indonesians to tackle the steady Taiwanese duo. Indonesia had revamped some men's doubles combination to look for another remarkable pair but hardly to see they will balance Gideon/Sukamuljo standard. Wang Chi Lin will play twice tomorrow, let's see whether he will score double joy here.
Fatigue, a little bit... but 'lost interest' is more like it this time around. It's more like he's setting himself up for entertaining opportunities
so ZY gonna be paired up with HDP in uber? wonder if it's gonna be permanent .... CTW gonna need 200% more physical training ahahha
