so we are heading into some real action in this WC during the 3rd round. let's see what're up for thursday. in the Men's Single event. it is really action packed. almost all the matches are worth following. Chen Hong vs. Yamada - should be no problem for Chen Hong Agus vs. Shon Seung-Mo - i think either players are capable of beating each other. i am predicting a close game. Boesen vs. WongCH - i think Wong should not have any problems with Anders. Sony vs. Ronald - Both Sony and Ronald disposed of one Peter in the first two rounds. i think Sony might have an edge in this match. Roslin vs. Lee - offensive vs. defensive. this will be an interesting match to watch. Lee has improved a lot recently. Bao vs. Taufik - a re-match of the SC semi final. Taufik came up on top that time after Bao failed to keep up his game. it is not the first time, i wonder if Bao will ever overcome that hurdle. Xia vs. Lin - a rematch of the Japan Open final. a tremendous display of all around skills by both players. Xia came out on top that time with amazing form and style, i wonder if Lin will be so tame again. Ng Wei vs. Jonassen - Jonassen has been in great form recently, this will be the real test for the Hongkonger.
Ladies Singles Wang Chen vs. Jun Jae Youn - Wang Chen with her often erratic performance will face Jun, whom from what i have seen is very stable. i wonder if Wang will live up to her number 1 seed expectations. Men's Doubles Chan/Chew vs. Alven/Luluk - thanks to Ha's bad back, Chan/Chew will be facing an eaiser opponent. should be ok but if anything, this will give us a glimpse of the future of Indonesian MD. Sang/Zheng vs. Boe/Lamp - this is another test for the new Chinese MD players. Sang/Zheng scraped through the top Japanese pair in the last round. how will they do against the Danes? Jonas/Paaske vs. Laugssen/Soggard - Chen Rui/Wang Wei vs. Kim Yong-Hyun / Yim Bang-Eun - now that Kim/Ha & Lee/Yoo both retired, this is the only pair that is flying the Korean flags. Ladies Doubles Ra/Lee vs. Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen - this is the first of a series of (potential) encounters between Ra/Lee and the Chinese army. Ra/Lee is the only pair that is capable to defeating the Chinese, and we will have to see if they can achieve that in this WC. this will likely be Ra's last WC if the rumor that she is retiring after the Olympics next year.
Re: Day 4 - Quarter Final Bao vs. Taufik - a re-match of the SC semi final. Taufik came up on top that time after Bao failed to keep up his game. it is not the first time, i wonder if Bao will ever overcome that hurdle. i think Bao will win... i don't like Taufic since he looks like a girl on court...
Ouch....I wish ESPN has started live cast today!!! Why would I have to wait till tomorrow to watch these matches I would buy on Sony/Roslin/Taufik/Xia to win. Lee doesn't seem playing well back to a few weeks ago here in M'sia (both Wong CH and Hafiz defeated him, but not Roslin). Taufik is way far better in game controling than Bao. Bao has very good talent on skills, he would need more test for his mental strength tough.
i have much respect for Lee. the Koreans are master tacticians, often if the coach (if) ever say something, we will have to read between the lines. i will not be surprised if Lee's defeat in Malaysia is because he didn't give 100%. i agree on comment on Taufik, while similar in age, Taufik has vastly more experience than Bao. Bao has disappointed in both the TC and SC after he held the advantage. i am sure those defeat will leave a scar at the back of his head everytime he plays an important match. we will see how he matures as his career goes on. certainly a lad with a lot of potential.
Yeah, Korean players have much respect for the coach, even the seniors. I watched the second times he played with Wong CH in KL (there are 3 team friendly matches, he met with Wong twice). He played well, fast pace and calm. I felt he would want to win at least once over Wong then, but Wong is just better at that time. But who knows, he could have raise to his 100% fit in a few weeks. It's important to get to the best form at the right time. Lee is surely a bidder for the champion.
My predictions Chen Hong vs. Yamada - Chen Hong, no problems forseen. Agus vs. Shon Seung-Mo - Shon Seung Mo, should be close though. Boesen vs. WongCH - Wong Choon Han. Sony vs. Ronald - My head tells me Sony, my heart tells me Ronald! But it should be a pretty close match as well. Both can win. Roslin vs. Lee - Lee Hyun IL. He has really improved alot in recent times. Bao vs. Taufik - I think alot depends on whether Bao can keep his head under pressure. It should be a pretty entertaining match to watch, Taufik has admitted in the past that he's not very comfortable playing Bao..... we shall see. Xia vs. Lin - Xia Xuanze should win this. Ng Wei vs. Jonassen - Jonassen.
apologies as i got too excited and mistook thursday's matches to be the quarter finals. i have changed the subject to 3rd round instead.
One of the main reasons why Korea lost so tamely to Msia in recent friendly was because Ha Yoo and lee Hyun Il were carrying leg injuriess. Probably Lee may be next to crack. I wonder what has happened to Koreans, they have always been well known rto save their best, maybe they are more intersted inSudirman than WC.
Re: My predictions I agree with Modious' predictions except: I guess Taufik will win again. Though I wish otherwise. Taufik is a faster, crafty and more confident player of the two, though he turns to be sleepy in the first few minutes of matches. As Lin and Xia's match, if it goes into 3rd game, Lin will win(he is really good at those 3rd set games) Plus. Lin is still improving, while Xia is stable, and Lin has won the most recent encounter in internal tournament. Overall, I bet 60:40 with Lin's advantage.
I am agree with yowkee : I would buy on Sony/Roslin/Taufik/Xia to win. Don't forget : In Mixed-Doubles we have also a very tight and exciting match between Trikush-Emma vs Kim-Lee.
Sony is up 13-9 against Ronald. Ronald needs to keep Sony out there for as long as possible. Not sure how long the game has been going on for. The 2 Danish pairs are on level point 4-4. This is going to be a close one. Last time in China open, Sogaard/Laugesen were the winners by a small margin.
and he's puverising ronald in the 2nd game. up 7-0 now in about 2mins of play! jr/paaske have clinched the 1st game
Ronald has to make his move now, he's got serve but 3-11 down. Sony must be playing like a whirlwind trying to finsih things off. I think sony will take a breather and then pull out the stops
wow, this is so exciting. Ronald has pulled back to 8-11 but Sony has serve now and now is 8-12 up. c'mon Ronald, this is the WORLD Champs. yes, he's got serve back!! (Sorry for the live commentory!) I wann see this go to a 3rd game
serves switches round but Sony now has match point. Ronald gets the serve back!! Am I the only one online reading the scores ? wow, another match point but Ronald has pulled back to 13-14! Been on court 52 mins now.
