Yes, a very modest and diplomatic response from Fu Haifeng when asked how they felt about CHN as the only nation since 1995 (or was it 1955?) making a clean sweep here in Denmark. He said he's not thinking about anything of that sort, his main concern is how to address CHN MD's declining state and just want to do his very best to improve the situation - something to that effect.
Fu was quite articulate. He should talk more. Interesting that Gillian Clark was saying she talked with him in the hotel.
I am more interested in the badminton we are seeing with a new pairing. A tricky dilemma for China. They don't let their top players play both mixed and men's doubles (that might change if SS tournaments go to 11x5 scoring system).
It was 1955, and a time when the whole of Asia didn't play European tournaments. China was further isolated, due to political reasons till 1970s.
Zhang Nan was superb today! I always thought him to be the weak link in ZZ pair. Thought he wouldn't have won much if not for her girlfriend, but his best was perhaps not visible in XD. This was a superb performance. Rather, he's so quick and fast at the net that he can very well play better than ZYL in XD. Wonder, that he plays at back is due to natural XD gaming pattern.
Indeed he countered by saying that CHN is relatively weak in MD, if only to emphasize that CHN is still not as all powerful as claimed. But now the badminton world has to sit up to monitor the progress of this new yet old MD find that has made headline news now. Even KOR and INA need to be serious with this new pair.
True, if Zhang Nan/Fu Haifeng starts to have an impressive winning streak henceforth, CBA will be in a dilemma about Zhang Nan's main focus and pivotal role - XD or MD but not both because CBA don't believe anybody can be at the top in two disciplines.
Hmm, quite right, in 1955, both Malaysia and Singapore were British colonies. But the interviewer is referring to any one country sweeping all 5 titles since 1955. And CHN didn't get to compete in any European tournaments until the 1970s as Devendra said.
You summed up exactly what I think of the service judges. I sometimes think they make fault service calls just to let people know they are there. The service rule is outdated already . It may be suitable under the old scoring system where only the server can win point. The rule gave the receiver a better chance to win back the service. Under the present scoring system the server has no advantage at all. Why put so much pressure on him/her........ scared of serving short , too high or being faulted. Any service done by striking the shuttle at a point below the level of the net cord with the racket head inclining or pointing downwards and the shuttlecock starting its trajectory by moving upwards towards the receiver's court should be allowed. Match fixing has now reared it's ugly head in Badminton . The service rule can be subjectively applied to change the course of a match.
And LXR becomes the first female player to cross the 100,000 point for her rankings. That is greater than 10,000 points on average for every tournament! Plus unlike LCW, who obviously had a major advantage with LD at the sidelines and Chen Long playing much less, LXR has done it facing all the opponents. Not only European, but ALL international tournaments. China, in my opinion, has had the most unfortunate history. From rebellions, to uprisings, to infighting, to invasions, civil wars, famines, to even an attempt to whitewash the whole 5000 years of Chinese history, they have had it all. What a pity!
I quite agree that the current service rule serves little purpose other than to distract the players, particularly the server and put him into unnecessary pressure that can result in him making more mistakes. We do see service judges making poor judgements now and then on the poor server because the waist level remains arbitrary. We should once and for all get rid of this unfair rule and introduce a new and less arbitrary one such as that posted above. In making the new service rule, it should be clear, fair and not lend itself to argument such as we have now. Racket with the shaft pointing downwards and first contact with the shuttle not higher than the net cord, not the waist, does not give the server an undue advantage over the receiver as it is still a defensive stroke. The net cord or tape is very distinct to both the service judge and the players as it is of the same height for every player and does not vary between tall and short players as is now the case. Any serve above the net cord can be clearly seen and faulted.
Just a question, I saw ZN shirt has one star and FHF has no star (or ZH had 4 stars and FHF has 5 stars). What does that mean?
Yes, you are right especially when Chinese backup players' performance are not that encouraging. Previously before their top players could start thinking of retiring the next wave of players are already on the conveyor belt ready to take over. This is still happening in Table Tennis but not badminton.
Indeed, LXR will cross the 100K mark in ranking points, the first WS to do so, a phenomenal achievement. Too bad, WYH who won the AG crown which didn't earn her any ranking points would want to beat LXR here and try to overtake WSX as WR #2 so as to enhance her chances of gaining one of the two Olympic spots but couldn't succeed in overcoming LXR this time. Hats off to you, rare to find someone like you here from IND who appreciates Chinese history and civilization.
Like you I hate to see a well-fought match marred by subjective,arbitrary service fault call depending on which service judge happened to be on duty. Very true, in the 21-pt rally score system, there is no advantage in having the serve - in singles I 'd even consider it a disadvantage more often than not. In doubles , I think it's neutral because at least you have a partner to help cover the court. Imagine a service fault called when one side is holding matchpoint(s) and the other side trying to force deuce, almost equivalent to the element of luck deciding the final outcome.
China players ruled Denmark SS Premier 2014 The clean sweep isn't a new thing for China squad as we had witnessed their feat in major tournaments like All England (2009), World Championships (Paris 2010, London 2011) and Olympic Games (London 2012). Winning all 5 finals in one competitive tournament is really extraordinary achievement! WD, Wang/Yu showed more aggresive display against their younger opponents Matsutomo/Takahashi with shots variation and hard smashes. XD, Towi/Liliyana failed to shift momentum after they forced deuce. Game 2, INA pair started to produce series of unforced error and seemed everything went wrong for them. WS, Li XR was much better than her semifinal performance, she stayed calm and focused to her gameplan. MS, final of the day. Both players performed high level quality and the much-improved Son Wan Ho really presented real threat with his solid defence for defending champion. The more confidence Chen Long finally nailed it to cope pressure test in game 1 and saved three game points in game 2. The scoreline was really close, credit for Son WH and Chen L for the thrilling match! MD, the surprising result for Fu HF/Zhang N as they overcame three prominent MD pairs en route to their first title here, Ahsan/Setiawan at QF, Ko SH/Shin BC at semi and formidable Lee YD/Yoo YS at finale. Fu/Zhang was faster and more aggressive than the Korean yesterday.
Time to OVERHAUL the Service Rule in Badminton Very well said! The very subjective service rule is an IRRELEVANT legacy and disrupting, even damaging the beauty of badminton game! I really hate the service rule!!! Time for the members of Federation to remove it! Same as table tennis, some folks at the helm of the Federation keeps on tweaking the service rules, attempting to effect more balance of powers but in reality it does not produce the desired outcome, the tricky rules only disrupt the game itself.
Actually, it was a specilal design for Lining's China national team shirts. ZN's shirt had 4 stars which meant he had won 4 main titles already, Olympic, Worldchampion, TC & SC, while FHF got one more title than him, the world Cup, so Fu had 5 stars on his shirt.
