Loh
Regular Member
Yesterday, Singapore badminton fans were generously treated on TV to recent IBF tournaments by two different Sports TV channels. Highlights of the Finals of the Surdiman Cup between China and South Korea were shown on Ch 24 at 6 p.m. I was on the look-out for Kwun when the cameras were trained on the China camp of supporters but I could not see any BF banner nor Kwun or Janet. I was only hoping, for I do not know how Kwun and Janet look like. I only saw, I think, Kwun's pinky finger when he posted a pic of a "hand holding the racket to emphazise the effectiveness of that special grip for a more "powerful" shot.
At 8 p.m., at long last, Ch 22 telecast the Finals of the historic All-England match between Hafiz Hashim and Chen Hong. Young Hafix, only aged 20, clawed his way back from a huge deficit to secure the first game, 17-14. The fresher Hafiz had a relatively easier passage to the Finals whilst Chen had to stay on court for a much longer time, especially against Hafiz's countryman Lee Tsung Seng and brother Roslin. Thus Chen was visibly drained by those tough matches and lost rather meekly in the second game and his last year's crown.
However, this morning, from 11 a.m., is special for Ch 22 (Super Sports) is showing live the entire proceedings of the Japan Open 2003 Finals.
At the time of writing this report (12.40 p.m.), two Finals were already concluded: Ladies' Singles and Men's Doubles (Flandy Limpele/Eng Hian representing England beat Cheng Rui/Chen Qiqiu of China in straight games).
So that I can continue to enjoy the other matches, especially the Men's Singles, I can only give a brief account of the Ladies' Singles between two charming ladies in their twenties, Camila Martin of Denmark and Xie Xing Fang of China.
Yonex has come up with a rather pleasant set of attire for the ladies. Camila wore a rich turquoise blue for both T-shirt and skirt with white trimming, whilst Xie was cast in an equally rich set of Yellow-Orange with two thin black strips on the shirt-sleeves and which extend to the shirt front. What caught me by surprise is that both wore skirts instead of shorts, which most of the Chinese lady players usually wear. Now, our ladies are beginning to close the gap against their Tennis counterparts.
Not only are our two lady combatants resplendent in their colours they are both quite tall, almost equal in height and with model-like features - slim, trim and beautiful! What fantastic ambassors they are for the badminton world!
On the court, however, Camila displayed her superiority largely owing to her vast interenational experience. Additionally, she was in top form moving about with ease and fluidity. The first game was quickly over with Camila winning 11-1. Xie made 7 unforced errors against 3 by Camila. Camila was also devasting with her smashes and drops, winning points from them by 5 and 3 respectively. Xie won points through 3 smashes and hardly from drops. The ladies played at a very fast pace and there were a few long and exiciting rallies.
At the start of the second game, Xie tried to set a quick pace with more smashes and managed to narrow the gap 4-6 with Camila still leading. But Camila was too experienced and countered with equally powerful and pin-pointed smashes, three of which she won points. Again, Camila made her opponent run the four corners of the court with her powerful clears and sharp drops, which she also won with three points from the latter.
I wish the match could have been prolonged. It was delightful badminton, played by two worthy representatives who lifted the game to a higher level unseen before. I hope Camila will not retire after this Japan Open, for then we will miss one of the best and pretty players from the world badminton scene.
As I end this report, I have just witnessed a splendid display of Mixed Doubles between the best from Denmark and China. It went the full distance with the rubber going to the Chinese, who were surprisingly unseeded for this event. Jens Eriksen/Mette won the first game 11-9 against Zhang Jun/GoaLing but lost the next two 8-11 and 9-11, a close and thrilling encounter indeed.
Now at 2.10 p.m., two Chinese teammates are battling it out to determine who will wear the Japanese Open crown. Xia Xuanze seems to have the upperhand against his younger and less experienced opponent, Lin Dan. At least on paper!
Bye bye for now.
At 8 p.m., at long last, Ch 22 telecast the Finals of the historic All-England match between Hafiz Hashim and Chen Hong. Young Hafix, only aged 20, clawed his way back from a huge deficit to secure the first game, 17-14. The fresher Hafiz had a relatively easier passage to the Finals whilst Chen had to stay on court for a much longer time, especially against Hafiz's countryman Lee Tsung Seng and brother Roslin. Thus Chen was visibly drained by those tough matches and lost rather meekly in the second game and his last year's crown.
However, this morning, from 11 a.m., is special for Ch 22 (Super Sports) is showing live the entire proceedings of the Japan Open 2003 Finals.
At the time of writing this report (12.40 p.m.), two Finals were already concluded: Ladies' Singles and Men's Doubles (Flandy Limpele/Eng Hian representing England beat Cheng Rui/Chen Qiqiu of China in straight games).
So that I can continue to enjoy the other matches, especially the Men's Singles, I can only give a brief account of the Ladies' Singles between two charming ladies in their twenties, Camila Martin of Denmark and Xie Xing Fang of China.
Yonex has come up with a rather pleasant set of attire for the ladies. Camila wore a rich turquoise blue for both T-shirt and skirt with white trimming, whilst Xie was cast in an equally rich set of Yellow-Orange with two thin black strips on the shirt-sleeves and which extend to the shirt front. What caught me by surprise is that both wore skirts instead of shorts, which most of the Chinese lady players usually wear. Now, our ladies are beginning to close the gap against their Tennis counterparts.
Not only are our two lady combatants resplendent in their colours they are both quite tall, almost equal in height and with model-like features - slim, trim and beautiful! What fantastic ambassors they are for the badminton world!
On the court, however, Camila displayed her superiority largely owing to her vast interenational experience. Additionally, she was in top form moving about with ease and fluidity. The first game was quickly over with Camila winning 11-1. Xie made 7 unforced errors against 3 by Camila. Camila was also devasting with her smashes and drops, winning points from them by 5 and 3 respectively. Xie won points through 3 smashes and hardly from drops. The ladies played at a very fast pace and there were a few long and exiciting rallies.
At the start of the second game, Xie tried to set a quick pace with more smashes and managed to narrow the gap 4-6 with Camila still leading. But Camila was too experienced and countered with equally powerful and pin-pointed smashes, three of which she won points. Again, Camila made her opponent run the four corners of the court with her powerful clears and sharp drops, which she also won with three points from the latter.
I wish the match could have been prolonged. It was delightful badminton, played by two worthy representatives who lifted the game to a higher level unseen before. I hope Camila will not retire after this Japan Open, for then we will miss one of the best and pretty players from the world badminton scene.
As I end this report, I have just witnessed a splendid display of Mixed Doubles between the best from Denmark and China. It went the full distance with the rubber going to the Chinese, who were surprisingly unseeded for this event. Jens Eriksen/Mette won the first game 11-9 against Zhang Jun/GoaLing but lost the next two 8-11 and 9-11, a close and thrilling encounter indeed.
Now at 2.10 p.m., two Chinese teammates are battling it out to determine who will wear the Japanese Open crown. Xia Xuanze seems to have the upperhand against his younger and less experienced opponent, Lin Dan. At least on paper!
Bye bye for now.
