Objectively, it's not that fairytale really. They were once one of the top pairs in the world. But it's all credits to them for indeed it's tough to make such a strong comeback after such a long layoff due to injuries, more so at their age. They play Kim/Ha again in their very next match. From a personal pov, of cos I wish for sweet revenge on Kim/Ha's part.
Impresssive play by Zhang Ning in the final today as well. There is no other reasons that can affect the result today! She is simply the best! Hope she can maintain her good form until the Olympics next year and grab the gold medal!!!
Darnit, Zhang/Gao can thrash all opposition but when it comes to Kim/Ra, they seem hardpressed to find any answers. Good job to Lin - 2 major GPs in a short period. He looks to have secured at least the 3rd position for Olympics if he keeps up his current form. Zhang Ning is dominating so much now that Gong and Zhou are no longer the most popular faces for WS. Great to see Gao/Huang back on the gold podium. Time to reclaim #1 position again. Lastly, excellent run by Choong/Lee. I was hoping they would take it today. Dissapointing that there was no Chinese pair even in SF stage. In total 3 golds to China (again, always this #), and 2 to Korea. These 2 nations are basically the only ones taking golds in past tourneys save for a few. Not good news at all for the other Power Houses.
Zhang/Gao vs. Kim/Ra i think technically, Zhang/Gao is not as good as Kim/Ra. the reason why Z/G managed to clinch a few titles from K/R is because Zhang has a crazily hard smash and Kim/Ra was not able to answer that. however, as times goes on, either Zhang's smashes are not as strong and sharp as before, or Kim/Ra has gotten more clever, they have succeeded in neutralizing Zhang's smashes. without this weapon, and that Gao really isn't as fast and sharp as Ra on the net, Z/G now has no responds to Kim/Ra.
The Msians just couldn't capitalise the Koreans in the 1st game. If they won the first game , i think the chances of winning is higher. Anyway its finished. I hope they will have a better result in chinese Taipei open.
Unlike the other matches, the men doubles final was the only match which I can't have a good guess on which pair will win yesterday, even at the time I was watching the 1st game. I think the performance of the Korean and Malaysia pairs were pretty closed (imo the Korean pair was slightly better).
From yesterday's match, I found that Zhang performed not too good in returning smashes with a flat drive (especially backhand). He returned the shuttle to the net many times with such shot yesterday. In contrast, the Korean has better defense - they can quickly "digest" the smashes of Zhang and gain back the chance to offense.
Not really The suppoter are not that noisy, or izit my TV got problem btw, I saw Zheng Bo videotaping, you were sitting near him?
I think my voice got problem then Look at third game to the right (around 6 seats) of Zheng Bo and Fu Hai Feng (I think they were two rows below) - if you see a good looking guy, that's me. Should be plain to see
Zhang/Gao vs. Kim/Ra In my opinion, Zhang still has a very strong smash. On the other hand, he sometimes is too impulsive, too uncontrolled in comparison with Kim Dong Moon. In addition, Zhang and Gao have to play even faster to win from Kim/Ra. Ra's offensive power also makes a difference. At this moment, the Korean couple are one of a kind.
the moderators Hey Cheung, be careful or we will ask Raphy to post a photo of you here hehe... That happened once before to another famous moderator of this forum Anyway, good that you enjoyed the tournament. Got some pictures for us?
- Zhang and Gao Ling were always caught by Kim's hard smashes and sometimes ra or Kim's half smashes. I think Koreans have better reach and cover court better. Zhang/Gao tend to leave more gaps to exploit. There was some scattered shout s of the horrible phrase Msia Boleh (yucks, even after the perpretor has just resigned).