Today's finals is of high quality. Although generally, in any tournament, the semi- and quarter-finals are more exciting, the finals today is about as good as it gets. So any Germans reading this, go and catch the action.
It's uncommon that they are holding the finals on a Saturday, but I think it's an excellent strategy. The German Open is a run-up tournament to the All-England, so any extra day of rest between the two tournaments is welcomed. The downside is that the rest of the tournament is during the weekday.
First up,
XD
Nathan Robertson/Gail Emms v Lee Jae Jin/Lee Hyo Jung
None of the players are involved in other finals (which is pretty unique), so this is the only chance for them to grab a title. Robertson/Emms are hardened veterans. The Lees are newcomers to this event but showed their mettle when they convincingly defeated Eriksen/Scholdager for the Korean title. Lee Jae Jin is a fiery character and I expect a showdown with Robertson.
Prediction: the English to win in three games.
WS
Zhang Ning v Xie Xingfang
If you don't think this tie is exciting, then how about beauty and grace in motion. Zhang is widely acknowledged as the best WS player out there, and Xie is one of the chasing pack, possibly the best among the chasing pack. Therefore, it's not just grace and beauty, it's also a high-quality match.
Prediction: Zhang to win in straight games.
MD
Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard-Hansen v Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng
The best from Denmark take on the best from China. Experience, composure and psychological experts, the Danes, against hard-hitting, fast-moving, risk-taking Chinese.
Prediction: The Danes to come back for a 2-1 win.
WD
Gao Ling/Huang Sui v Wei Yili/Zhao Tingting
This may be the least exciting tie today, but on the other hand, I have never seen an all-Chinese WD match that is not interesting. Maybe it's because they know one another so well, and there are so many of them (no one wants to be bottom of the heap).
Predictions: Gao/Huang is straight sets.
MS
Lin Dan v Mohd. Hafiz Hashim
The big one. Lin Dan: World no 1, the one to beat in every tournament he enters, every time he loses it is big news, watch his sublime skill, speed and ability. Hafiz: Not high in the rankings but don't be fooled by that, a player that all respect including Lin, every opponent hopes that he is not on fire, watch his trickery reminiscent of the great Zhao Jianhua. But like Zhao Jianhua, Hafiz is fully capable of tricking his own self. We know Lin Dan is an excellent player, but we don't know if Hafiz will even be a fairly good player.
Predictions: Lin Dan, whether easily or with a struggle depends on Hafiz's mental state.
It's uncommon that they are holding the finals on a Saturday, but I think it's an excellent strategy. The German Open is a run-up tournament to the All-England, so any extra day of rest between the two tournaments is welcomed. The downside is that the rest of the tournament is during the weekday.
First up,
XD
Nathan Robertson/Gail Emms v Lee Jae Jin/Lee Hyo Jung
None of the players are involved in other finals (which is pretty unique), so this is the only chance for them to grab a title. Robertson/Emms are hardened veterans. The Lees are newcomers to this event but showed their mettle when they convincingly defeated Eriksen/Scholdager for the Korean title. Lee Jae Jin is a fiery character and I expect a showdown with Robertson.
Prediction: the English to win in three games.
WS
Zhang Ning v Xie Xingfang
If you don't think this tie is exciting, then how about beauty and grace in motion. Zhang is widely acknowledged as the best WS player out there, and Xie is one of the chasing pack, possibly the best among the chasing pack. Therefore, it's not just grace and beauty, it's also a high-quality match.
Prediction: Zhang to win in straight games.
MD
Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard-Hansen v Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng
The best from Denmark take on the best from China. Experience, composure and psychological experts, the Danes, against hard-hitting, fast-moving, risk-taking Chinese.
Prediction: The Danes to come back for a 2-1 win.
WD
Gao Ling/Huang Sui v Wei Yili/Zhao Tingting
This may be the least exciting tie today, but on the other hand, I have never seen an all-Chinese WD match that is not interesting. Maybe it's because they know one another so well, and there are so many of them (no one wants to be bottom of the heap).
Predictions: Gao/Huang is straight sets.
MS
Lin Dan v Mohd. Hafiz Hashim
The big one. Lin Dan: World no 1, the one to beat in every tournament he enters, every time he loses it is big news, watch his sublime skill, speed and ability. Hafiz: Not high in the rankings but don't be fooled by that, a player that all respect including Lin, every opponent hopes that he is not on fire, watch his trickery reminiscent of the great Zhao Jianhua. But like Zhao Jianhua, Hafiz is fully capable of tricking his own self. We know Lin Dan is an excellent player, but we don't know if Hafiz will even be a fairly good player.
Predictions: Lin Dan, whether easily or with a struggle depends on Hafiz's mental state.
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