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.
Candra & Sigit all the way! This might be the last game we will see the two play together. It would be a sad story to see them seperate. It was a great lost to the INDO when Tony left the team and play for the US. Like C&S, Halim & Tony was a powerhouse pair. If i am not mistaking i saw Tony Gunawan at OCBC(Orange County Badminton Club) the other day while i was there. I could be wrong. Kwan: You can cheer the Demark's pair, I'll cheer C & S. Lets the game begins.
My votes are: XD - Zhang/Gao. I would like Chinese pair to stop the arrogant Koreans (especially Kim, who earlier claimed that he will bag 2 titles here hands-down! ) WS - Zhang Ning (she's in pretty good form now) MS - Wong CH (Malaysia Boleh!!! ) WD - Gao/Huang MD - Jonas/Lars (win for BC!!! )
It isn't easy to have 7-0 record with Wong. Xia had it and it usually 'coz of his 120% performance (well, he always give his 120% in any matches). Nevertheless, my heart goes all to Wong CH. This is the first time they re-met under 15/match after TC2002. Wong is extremely calm and adopt to changing pace/rhythm in the mid of matches. He is in his best now, and stand a better chance unless he is too nervous for the finals.
Hey! I'm new here... . Saw the WC and fell in love with Xuanze! (He's so cute!!! Any other gals think so? ) But I hope Choong Hann wins it for Malaysia. Though if Xuanze wins, I won't mind at all... I think Candra/Sigit will win, they are such a strong pair. Though somehow I wished Cai/Fu had won, they came so close, only to be let down cos of inexpierence. Somehow I feel Gong Ruina might beat Zhang Ning. I hope the Chinese pairs do well in their events... I agree, don't really like Kim Dong Moon much.
Zhang Jun / Gao Ling vs. Kim Dong Moon / Ra Kyung Min Tough choice, and I'm not too sure who to support in this one. If it comes to self whim, then I guess I'd go for CHN. I just love to see Gao Ling's backhand flick! *crowd mumbles* what shallow reason to support... inexperienced... idiot... Gong Ruina vs. Zhang Ning I never saw Zhang Ning play, so I'd go for Gong Ruina. Wong Choong Han vs. Xia Xuanze I support all my countrymen in sporting events, badminton included. WCH. But congratulations who whoever that wins - they deserved to be called World Champions. The losers, matters not, they had a fabulous tournament as well. Wei Yili / Zhao TingTing vs. Gao Ling / Huang Sui Gao Ling again! Jonas Rasmussen / Lars Paaske vs. Sigit Budiart / Candra Wijaya Candra-Sigit. No questions further questions, your honour.
Hey, the Chinese are playing real bad is it? Kim/Ra needs just 3 more points to reclaim their world title! 12-2 in second game!!
