China's second string players still too strong for many and account for 6 out of the 20 semi-final berths, although they must be worry their second MD team is still far off the expectation. Korea is rediscovering their strenth in the doubles and have 4 teams there, and stand a good chance of seeing an all-Korean MD final. Thailand as host has 3, Boonsak will have the crowd support and capable for an upset against CJ, and Sudket will also fancy his chance in either the MD or the XD. Well done in deed. Hong Kong has 2 representatives left, whilst Singapore, Malaysia, Denmark, France and Taiwan make up the rest. Indonesia is all out in the QF. They do seem to have a problem in brining up a new batch of world-beaters. PBSI must be really worrying if Taufik really decides to retire. My prediction: (winner in bold) MS1 Boonsak vs CJ - an upset is highly probable here MS2 CH vs NW - CH should win comfortably WS1 PHY vs ZL - experience may triump over youth WS2 XAY vs ZM - ok, my heart says the young Singapore girl will win MD1 JJS/LYD vs Sudket/Tesana - Sudket may be too tire after paying the XD against Chinese pair MD2 LJJ/HJM vs GTC/LWF - the seeded Korean pair should make it thru WD1 GL/HS vs CYC/CWH - my favourite GL will win WD2 DJ/YY vs LKW/LHJ - again the Chinese pair should dominate XD1 Sudket/Saralee vs HHB/YY - a very close fight here XD2 HSH/HYM vs Thomas/Kamila - also a close fight
Chen Jin--ponsana bonsak Chen Hong--Ng wei Zhu Lin--Pi hy Zhou mi--Xing AY Lee/Hwang--Lin/Gan Lee/Jung--Panvisvas-Sudket Gao/Huang--Chien/cheng Du J/Yu Y--Lee/lee He HB/Yu Y--Sudket/saralee Han/Hwang--laybourn/kamila
Unlike all of you, i believe that woon fui-teik chai will win jae jin-ji man!!! Go woon fui and teik chai!!! =)
But i think Boonsak might win in Semi Finals because all of his thai fans always cheer and support him just like they say "P'man Suuuu Suuuu ". I wish Boonsak will be able beat Chen Jin though Chen Jin has more opportunity to win in this round.
On the contrary, it is likely going to be a tough match for CH, as Ng Wei has the history of taking Chinese players to the rubber set before losing in 3 tough fought games. Eg. He took Ji Xinpeng to 3 hard fought games in the 2000 Olympics, and he has taken Chen Hong to 3 games on several other ocassions before. If Chen Hong wins this match, it'll probably go to rubber set again. As a matter of fact, I won't be too surprised if Ng Wei is able to pull off an upset here.
I really liked Boonsak lately ever since he won SO. I think he is in good form and it is once again proven by beating LHI and Simon Santonso. If he could beat CJ in semi then what not???? All the best to both players!
Another player to watch would be Zhou Mi (in Hong Kong jersey now). Playing from qualifying rounds and beaten Lan Lu and Huaiwan Xu on its way. Seems like there is no problem for her to reach final.
Agree completely - Mi Zhou has had a great tournament growing stronger with each match. Was very impressed with her win over LU Lan
Even the Chen Jin vs Chen Hong final is not bad as Chen Hong is a "free agent" now, no more suspicious pre-arranged match
Now Li Yougbo is really worry, pretty sure Zhou Mi will be the chosen one for Olympic 2008 representing Hong Kong, if eligible.
I think it is clear that Zhou Mi will NOT play Olympic for Hong Kong unless there are something happen to Wang Chen or Yip Pui Yin. Since there are limited tournaments left and Zhou Mi's ranking points are so low, it is almost impossible for her to get top 4 ranking in the world by next April. So Hong Kong badminton association can and will send Wang Chen and Yip Pui Yin to the Olympic (for course not based on personal performance) even though Zhou's ranked ahead of Wang or Yip. That's also the reason they did not allow Zhou Mi play in the Sudirman cup. That's also the reason they disallow Zhou Mi play the China Master SS next week. I'm sure Zhou Mi will not have many chances to participate in the points-rich tournaments. Hong Kong badminton association will make sure first that Zhou Mi cannot collect more ranking points than Wang Chen especially Yi Pui Yin. That's the reason they allow her play only the lower level tournaments. They also want her as training partner for Wang and Yip, but no chance for her to do something for herself.
I disagree! There are 5 Super Series tournaments left not counting other Grand Prix tournaments such as the Philippine Open, Thailand Open, US Open, Chinese Taipei Open, Dutch Open, Indian Open, etc... plus the Super Series final at the end of the year. If she participates in all of these and get at least into quarterfinals/semifinals for Super Series and win a few of those Grand Prix tournaments, I am sure she will make it to top 16, if not top 8!
If Zhou Mi wants to play, she has to apply through Hong Kong badminton association. But as I said, Hong Kong badminton association will not let her play ALL the super series (even though there are only 5 left out of 12). Not to mention the super series final which Zhou Mi has no way to qualify.
It's quite interesting semifinal in almost all divisions (despite INA failure) and my picks are : MS -- After Boonsak won over LD and CY in SIN SS, today CJ will be the next victim. And obviously CH will secure one place in finale. WS -- Zhu Lin as CHN last hope will challenge Zhou Mi tomorrow MD -- It looks all-Korean-final in last round WD -- Undoubtedly 2 CHN WD will step up too XD -- Sudket/Saralee vs Laybourn/Juhl for final scenario Hmm,there's TV court will broadcast semifinal matches, maybe any Thai BC member will post live-report here?!
MS:CJ , CH WS:ZL ,ZM MD:all-Korean-final WD:all-Chinese-final XD:HHB/YY beat Sudket/Saralee and Final VS The DEN.
