German Open Finals Round-up

GERMAN OPEN 2006

Chen Jin enters the big world

 

Report from:  www.internationalbadminton.org

 

Report by Raphael Sachetat, for Badmintonphoto

 

Before the competition, everyone expected Lin Dan or Chen Hong to win the title in Mulheim an der Ruhr. It was finally Chen Jin who took the title easily, beating his compatriot Chen Hong in a straight-game match, winning his first grand prix title. Zhang Ning, Zhang/Gao, Yang/Zhang and Lee/Jung are the other shuttlers who will leave Germany with gold around their necks .

 

The turnover in generation took one more step forward today in a packed Rhein Ruhr Arena in Mulheim, when Chen Jin finally broke the curse and won a grand prix title in a senior circuit. This comes more than a year after his first success in the French Open in 2004 before a very good run in Thailand the same year. It could be a breakthrough, however, for the 20-year-old Chinese, who was crowned World Junior Champion both in 2003 and 2005. A first title in such a big event, which could possibly mean he now has the confidence to beat all his compatriots.

 

Apparently, Chen Hong was not having a good day as the All England Champion offered hardly any resistance to his younger compatriot on Sunday. In two quick games, it was all over with a score of 15/3 - 15/7. It could be a hint that it didnt matter who would win, as long as the Chinese flag was on top. Another explanation could be for Chen Hong not to waste precious energy he might need for his quest for a second title in a row in Birmingham in few days from now.

 

In the womens single, the youngsters dont seem to be quite ready yet. At least, Zhang Ning is not ready to let go and see a player more than 10 years younger than her take over. Her style of play obviously bothered Lu Lan, who was quite close in the first game. Zhang won 11/8 but got her grip in the second game where the Olympic champion was all over the place, more precise, more incisive and sharper at the net. A lethal combination which saw her win in Mulheim 11/8 - 11/3.

 

The best fight of the day was of course the classic match between Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen and Gao Ling/Huang Sui on the other. With everlasting rallies, great laughs in between points, the four ladies gave the public some thing to cheer about, for the first final of the day. And just like the Olympics, it was finally Yang/Zhang who grabbed gold, thanks to a tight 3/15 - 15/11 - 15/10 success.

 

Then the other all-Chinese affair between Xie/Zhang and Zhang/Gao saw Gao Ling clinch one out of the two golds she was hoping for on Sunday. She and partner Zhang Jun showed also that the older generation had some good things left, and the respect paid by Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen gave the Olympic double winners the extra confidence to win in straight games 15/11 - 15/12.

 

Last but not least, a first victory ever in the mens double event was on the cards, no matter who the winner was, as both Clarke/Blair and Lee/Jung were enjoying their first finale of a three-star event with their respective partners. Unfortunately for Europe, Asia was the definite master continent on Sunday, and after the four finals won by the Chinese players - against other Chinese players - it was Korea who got the last remaining gold.

 

Jung Jae Sung and Lee Yong Dae won the match thanks to their speed, their strength - Jung is probably one of the players who hits the shuttle the hardest - and the fact that they never let the British duo get the upper hand over the match. After the win of the first game 15/11, the youngsters from Seoul were obviously liberated from pressure and gave it their all for a rather quicker 15/6 victory in the second, sealing this day of exciting matches in Mulheim.

 

It was good however for both these pairs to enjoy their smooth ride until the final here, as things could be a little more complicated for them as early as next week : In the All England Championships, Blair and Clark will face Denmarks pair of Boe and Mogensen, while Lee and Jung will take on 4th seeds Indonesians Alven and Luluk, who have had time to rest before the event…

 

Final results :
Chen Jin beat Chen Hong : 15/3 - 15/7
Zhang Ning beat Lu Lan : 11/8 - 11/3
Lee/Jung beat Blair/Clark : 15/11 - 15/6
Zhang/Yang beat Gao/Huang : 3/15 - 15/11 - 15/10
Zhang/Gao beat Xie/Zhang : 15/11 - 15/12

All results :
http://www.german-open-badminton.de