German Open Semi Final Round-up

GERMAN OPEN 2006
Jan15, 2006

 

Report from: www.internationalbadminton.org

Report by: Raphael Sachetat, photos live from Mulheim by Lehel Seres, Badmintonphoto

 

China once again impressed on the semi final day in Mulheim, where they won every single match they were involved in. They are already assured of four titles with four finals played against each other, while the mens double will see Koreas Lee and Jung play against Robert Blair and Anthony Clarke.

 

Leftovers. Thats what China seems to have left for the other nations for this upcoming final day. All finals but one is set to be won by the Chinese shuttlers as they have secured no less than 10 out of the possible 12 finalist spots. And unfortunately for the show - it always is nicer to see opponents from different nations play against each other - the only two spots China missed is in the same event, which means the mens double event will see Robert Blair and Anthony Clark meet the new pair of Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung.

 

This is a first as both teams are fairly new pairings; Robert Blair, once part of Scotlands national squad teamed up with Anthony Clarke only few months ago, in September 2005. On the Koreans side, Jung Jae Sung had teamed up for the best with Lee Jae Jin, but switched to another Lee Yong Dae, a few weeks ago. It will be an interesting and challenging match, with maybe two key advantages for the British: they spent a lot less time on court on Saturday as they fairly easily beat Hong Kongs Liu and Njoto 15/5 - 15/0.

 

The Koreans had to go to a deciding game against Japans Ohtsuka and Masuda, known for their fighting spirit. The other hint that England could bring back gold before their home event is that Robert Blair is quite lucky with the German Open, as it was here, in 2002, that he got one of his best ever results in a grand Prix event. He reached the semi-final of the mixed double, only a few weeks after joining the British squad. He has since progressed, but a victory in mens double in a three-star event would definitely be his first.

 

 

Chen will win on Sunday


Things can be predictable in badminton after all. One thing is sure: China will leave Birmingham withfour gold medals. And Chen will be the definite winner of the mens single event. Thats two easy bets. Yet, what is more difficult is to know which of Chen Hong or Chen Jin will be the one on top, on Sunday.

 

 Chen Jin, had little trouble against Denmarks Kasper Oedum - who can be proud of his week in Mulheim, even if he was helped by his opponents injuries. Chen Hong did the same trick of last years final of the All England, beating his compatriot Lin Dan. With the two compatriots training against each other, Chen Hong has obviously found his younger compatriots weaknesses - something hardly anybody else has done yet - and came on top of one of the best matches of the day. Chen Hong, who will be fighting for his title next week, was the stronger and took it home 15/13 - 10/15 - 15/8 for what is a clear sign of his form at the moment.

 

 

Another veteran seems to be enjoying herself as Zhang Ning also booked her ticket for the final. Sign of the days, she had to struggle against Zhu Lin, her younger compatriot, for what clearly showing the widening gap between the old and young generation. Zhang came back from one game down (7/11) to clinch the second and third 11/8 - 11/6. She will have another glimpse of what awaits the future of badminton when she meets Lu Lan in Sundays final.

 

The latter trounced another one of the favourites in the tournament in the name of Wang Chen. It was once again a beautiful match and if Wang thought she had done the toughest part by finally clinching the first game 13/10, she had to think again. Lu Lan was back on track and pushed her opponent until Wang bowed to one of the rising stars of the Chinese team, 8/11 - 6/11.

 

 The womens double final will be a classic between Yang/Zhang and Gao/Huang, similar to the final of the Olympic Games -and so many other Grand Prix events finals. The mixed double almost saw an upset when New Zealands Runetsen-Petersen and Shirley took the first game against Zhang and Gao, but this seems to be happening from time to time to the double Olympics gold medallists. Then they always seem to get on top of their game, in their natural and cheerful manner. And once again, they proved to be the strongest. They will be facing Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen, the Worlds silver medallists after the latter beat Koreas top seeded pair of Lee Hyo Jung and Lee Jae Jin in another exciting match, 10/15 - 9/15.