Finals Japan Open 2005

hcyong · Apr 11, 2005

You seem to like to comment on what they wear. Hmmm....

Even at the All-England, I noticed that Zhang at least matched Xie in all departments but that her lack of stamina let her down. However, stamina is something that can be regained quickly and I expected her to defeat Xie when they met next (which was yesterday).

Loh said:

The roles changed. Unlike the All England, Zhang Ning was decidedly different in yesterday's Japan Open Finals.

Zhang Ning looks magnificent in her apple green one-piece suit, trimmed in black with matching hair clip on her long pony-tail, which is at least three times the length of her much younger and model-like opponent. In contrast, Xie Xing-fang wears a two-piece black and white attire but still looks elegant in her 'willowy' figure. The 'high' Chinese collar on both the ladies' shirts is a welcome change from the 'flat' ones that used to be the norm.

There is a certain spark on Zhang's face that I have grown accustomed to after seeing her in action these many years, quite unlike the one that I saw of her during the AE Finals. Her attire is short enough to show off her relatively 'strong' legs and well-toned arms. Xie seems a little taller of these two tall Chinese girls and her black outfit contrasted well with her fairer skin and long limbs.

But once the battle begins, one could tell that Zhang is not the same. She must have trained harder during the interim period as she moves about the court much more faster than before, yet she maintained good balance and posture. Xie is always a mite slower and thus has no chance to take the initiative and to mount attacks.

Zhang is stronger in most departments, be it at the net or back of the court and controls the proceedings rather efficiently to Xie's chagrin. Her powerful smash often meets with no reply, a sliced net cross followed by a swift round-the-head smash is all it takes to finish the rally. And Zhang does that consistently.

And so the match ends in two straight games with Zhang taking full revenge of their previous encounter.

By the looks of things, this 29-year old Olympic Champion will not relent. Woe betides those confronting her at the forthcoming World Championships.
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seven · Apr 11, 2005

kwun said:

ok. it is official. Sudket and Sarelee are my favorite mixed doubles pair.

the game of mixed to me is a game of brain, placement and formation. and they have it all. never will they hit a shot without passing it through their head first. when you think they will do a big jumpsmash, you may get a cross court block or a big attacking clear to the only place where you are not defending. or if you think Saralee would lift, straight, instead she twists her wrist and give you a cross court net. all shots response are calculated and creative.

their formation is also very fluid and constantly chaing and not dead and fixed.

add together the excellent defensive control by Saralee, great calmness and composure when she is defending the hardest of smashes from Jens. and the sheer emotional jumpsmashes from Sudket who will never wait for a lift to drop and instead leaps up in the air to meet it.

a contrast from the clinical Chinese style. what a refreshing pair to watch.
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Wow, I really want to see that match now!

This is a great win for Sudket and Saralee, I hope there will be others!

Loh · Apr 11, 2005

hcyong said:

You seem to like to comment on what they wear. Hmmm....
QUOTE]

Well, if you liken the badminton match as a "Theatre of Dance" and the combatants as the high profile dancers filled with expressions and emotions, leaping and flying into the air, doing set pieces as well as impromptu movements on the floor, running to and fro, sometimes entertaining by the unexpected dives and splits, then the costumes they wear can add great appeal to and complement their beautiful bodies, expressive faces and limbs.

The design and fabric of the attire, the contrast and harmonization of the colours, the accessories, including the rackets they carry and the shoes/wrist and head bands they wear, can certainly enhance the whole visual experience and make the entire 'Badminton Dance' a most pleasurable one to the eyes!
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Anatolii · Apr 11, 2005

Loh said:

Well, if you liken the badminton match as a "Theatre of Dance" and the combatants as the high profile dancers filled with expressions and emotions, leaping and flying into the air, doing set pieces as well as impromptu movements on the floor, running to and fro, sometimes entertaining by the unexpected dives and splits, then the costumes they wear can add great appeal to and complement their beautiful bodies, expressive faces and limbs.

The design and fabric of the attire, the contrast and harmonization of the colours, the accessories, including the rackets they carry and the shoes/wrist and head bands they wear, can certainly enhance the whole visual experience and make the entire 'Badminton Dance' a most pleasurable one to the eyes!
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WOW! .. .. that's the first i've heard. .. you're one heck of an imaginative person.

Sealman · Apr 11, 2005

Badmincraze said:

Sudket's jumpsmashes r powerful n Saralee defends well n is able to deliver surprising attacks.
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When I saw Saralee play during the women's doubles finals at the Singapore open last year, was quite impressed with her hard smashes.

cooler · Apr 14, 2005

kwun said:

the best part about the Thai's are their creativeness. i keep on wondering what reply they are going to give on each shot. what holes they have found on the other end of the court. it gives badminton a higher degree of unpredictability, making it so much more enjoyable to watch.

it just tells us that power and speed is not everything in badminton.

brilliant
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it's the only things (well, a very big part of it)

Finals Japan Open 2005

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