after 6 days of badminton marathon, we are at the finals stage!
here are the face-off in play order, the first match starts at 12.30pm (GMT):
Zhang Jun / Gao Ling vs. Kim Dong Moon / Ra Kyung Min
A re-match of the previous WC final. the two pair are still as strong as before. in the last edition, they had a really close fight and Kim/Ra losing out slightly due to lack of stamina from their double duty in MD/WD and XD. however, this time around, Kim isn't playing MD and Ra aren't playing MD/WD, they will be fresh against Zhang/Gao. to play against a fresh Kim/Ra will be tough indeed. if their previous encounter in the SC is any indication, Zhang will need to be executing his super smash and Gao needs to be at her smartest. it will be another great match of probably the best two MX pairs in the world.
Gong Ruina vs. Zhang Ning
Gong is here to defend her WC title. which she grabbed 2 yrs ago surprising everybody. this time around the expectation is higher than before. Zhang Ning is on fire. according to Camilla, she is playing at a higher pace than everybody else. i wonder if the shorter Gong will be able to keep up with her.
Wong Choong Han vs. Xia Xuanze
this will be the most watched match. two offensive player Wong and Xia will fight for the title for the prestigeous MS title. on paper, Xia has the upper hand with 7-0 winning record against Wong. however, both players have their weaknesses. Wong's weakness is his defense, while Xia usually runs of out of steam after two games. despite that, both players are at the top of their game. i believe Wong has a better offence than Xia, Wong's net shots are also better. my head tells me that Wong may have the edge, but my heart goes to Xia always.
Wei Yili / Zhao TingTing vs. Gao Ling / Huang Sui
the defending champions Gao/Huang will be facing a new pairing Wei Yili/Zhao TingTing. Wei will try again for the title with her new partner Zhao. she fell to Gao/Huang with her previous partner Zhang Jiewen. i believe that Gao/Huang is still the stronger pair. with the powerful Huang and smarter Gao. Wei cannot match the cannon of Huang, her smashes are flatter, while Zhao is slow at the front. so my vote goes to Huang/Gao.
Jonas Rasmussen / Lars Paaske vs. Sigit Budiart / Candra Wijaya
Jonas!!! our friend Jonas made it to the finals!
Jonas/Lars is facing the very very strong Candra/Sigit, whom saw their first real resistance from the Chinese young pair of Cai/Fu. however, being such champions, they shrug off their first set defeat to beat the Chinese in the semifinal. C&S are still the favorite to win the championship, which they first won back in 1997. Jonas and Lars will have to play a perfect game, never let C&S see any weakness in them. good luck guys. we will be cheering for you.
here are the face-off in play order, the first match starts at 12.30pm (GMT):
Zhang Jun / Gao Ling vs. Kim Dong Moon / Ra Kyung Min
A re-match of the previous WC final. the two pair are still as strong as before. in the last edition, they had a really close fight and Kim/Ra losing out slightly due to lack of stamina from their double duty in MD/WD and XD. however, this time around, Kim isn't playing MD and Ra aren't playing MD/WD, they will be fresh against Zhang/Gao. to play against a fresh Kim/Ra will be tough indeed. if their previous encounter in the SC is any indication, Zhang will need to be executing his super smash and Gao needs to be at her smartest. it will be another great match of probably the best two MX pairs in the world.
Gong Ruina vs. Zhang Ning
Gong is here to defend her WC title. which she grabbed 2 yrs ago surprising everybody. this time around the expectation is higher than before. Zhang Ning is on fire. according to Camilla, she is playing at a higher pace than everybody else. i wonder if the shorter Gong will be able to keep up with her.
Wong Choong Han vs. Xia Xuanze
this will be the most watched match. two offensive player Wong and Xia will fight for the title for the prestigeous MS title. on paper, Xia has the upper hand with 7-0 winning record against Wong. however, both players have their weaknesses. Wong's weakness is his defense, while Xia usually runs of out of steam after two games. despite that, both players are at the top of their game. i believe Wong has a better offence than Xia, Wong's net shots are also better. my head tells me that Wong may have the edge, but my heart goes to Xia always.
Wei Yili / Zhao TingTing vs. Gao Ling / Huang Sui
the defending champions Gao/Huang will be facing a new pairing Wei Yili/Zhao TingTing. Wei will try again for the title with her new partner Zhao. she fell to Gao/Huang with her previous partner Zhang Jiewen. i believe that Gao/Huang is still the stronger pair. with the powerful Huang and smarter Gao. Wei cannot match the cannon of Huang, her smashes are flatter, while Zhao is slow at the front. so my vote goes to Huang/Gao.
Jonas Rasmussen / Lars Paaske vs. Sigit Budiart / Candra Wijaya
Jonas!!! our friend Jonas made it to the finals!
Jonas/Lars is facing the very very strong Candra/Sigit, whom saw their first real resistance from the Chinese young pair of Cai/Fu. however, being such champions, they shrug off their first set defeat to beat the Chinese in the semifinal. C&S are still the favorite to win the championship, which they first won back in 1997. Jonas and Lars will have to play a perfect game, never let C&S see any weakness in them. good luck guys. we will be cheering for you.