Looks like the two players will meet again in this Singapore Open. Its time Wong get Xia fixed and straightened up.
I guess it is way too early to say these two will meet in final, both need to get pass 3 excellent players. and even they meet, Xia would still have a slightly better chance to win, I could not see there are many things changed about these two players in just a few days.
True that. Wong has to get by Bao CL first (not an easy job), and then if he does make it past Bao, a most likely encounter with Lin Dan, and then possibly Chen Hong. That's 3 straight top Chinese shuttlers. IMHO, I think Wong CH is going to fall somewhere along the road while he's battling one of those 3. Xia could possibly face Chen Yu, whom he last lost to at All-England '03.
Xia may not be able to make the date as he left this morning with ice bounded to his ankle after injuring himself, wining a very tought 3 setters against Ong Ewe Hock (M'sia). Would have been a painful slpa on Misbun if Ong actually managed to beat Xia. The 2 Peters meet again in the 3rd round. Lee HI (Korea) nearly did not make it to 3rd round, fighting tooth-and-nail gainst young Ms'ian qualifier, Lee Chong Wei in 3 strongly contested sets. Gopichand ousted by N Kaldau. Strokes still there but lack former accuracy but added some aggressiveness with powerful smashes. Roslin ousted in tough fight by Lee TS. Similarly K Jonassen ousted in tough match by P Gade. These tough matches illustrated the strong sportsmanship spirit of the players despite playing the compatriots- a sharp comparison with the Chinese tactics. Chen Hong/Haifz: what more to say- read the previous thread. A match that should not happen so soon.
Let's hope Choong Hann make it again, this time go all the way and not break so many hearts like in Birmingham.
Ahh, thanks for the info. Now, I see why our world champion has withdrawn from the tourney. Was it a serious one? Will he be able to make it to Indonesian Open next week?
