In the most impressive manner, both Wong Choong Hann and Taufik Hidayat advanced to the final of the 4* Yonex-Sunrise SingaporeGrand Prix – a match which should keep all its promises, as both men look quite comfortable with the new scoring system.

"I came here with no target, no coach, and just wanted to enjoy myself on court," said Taufik Hidayat after his victory over Mohammad Hafiz Hashim. The 20-year-old Indonesian, with the support of the whole stadium, was able to put on a great performance to outplay a shuttler to watch over the next few years. Hafiz may not seem to be moving very fast on court, showing no emotion at all, but he is a gifted player. His reach and powerful smash put Hidayat in danger in the first game, losing 7/8 after the Indonesian saved a game point on one of his powerful down-the-line smashes.

"He is a very good player, but he has a lack of experience and even if his attack is very efficient, his defence isn't that good," said Taufik, after he secured his victory 8/7 - 7/2 - 7/3. The young Indonesian wonder also mentioned that he felt quite tired of playing badminton, and said he would probably stop playing for this year, right after the Asian Championships held next week in Manila, Philippines.

"Now my relationship with the Indonesian Federation is alright, but it is quite hard for me to train without a personal coach. Agus Dwi Santoso - Johan's coach - gave me some advice between the first and second game, but I couldn't prepare for the match like I would usually do with a coach," said Hidayat, who is now training part-time in the National Training Center in Djakarta, and part-time on his own.

But even though he’s unsure of the new scoring system, it looked as though he was able to adapt quite well today, as did Wong Choong Hann (pictured), whose good result here in Singapore is his best so far this year. The Malaysian shuttler had recovered from a wrist injury and made his comeback in the Japanin April.

"My best result so far was the third round of the World Championships, otherwise I was out in the first rounds of every other tournament, so I guess it is quite a good tournament for me," said Wong. "I feel quite good, Johan wasn't having a good day today, he seemed nervous and made a lot of mistakes."

So far, Hidayat and Wong have met four times, Hidayat leading 3 victories to 1 with their last encounter in Seville last June. "I still believe he is the favourite for the final, but it will be the first time we'll play against each other under the new scoring system. So I will still have my chances," said Wong, while Taufik was pretending to listen to his press statement behind him.

All other events will look more like national championships than the finals of a Grand Prix event: Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya secured their way to the final against Chew/Chan with their usual flair and fine high jump smashes, while compatriots Haryanto and Gunawan had fewer problems than expected against Thailand's best pair Tesena Panvisvas and Pramote Teerawiwatana. "We put much pressure on them since the very start, and they didn't play very well today. I expected it to last longer, but I'm glad we kept some energy for the final tomorrow," said Haryanto (pictured).

Dai Yun and Zhang Ning are the women's singles finalists in an all-Chinese affair. Dai Yun, 1999 world championship runner-up, mastered her game to beat compatriot Gong Zhichao. Gong once again was disappointing as she committed many mistakes. The Sydney Olympics seemed very far away when she lost today in straight games 7/3 - 7/0 - 7/5 to the 24-year-old lefthander. "Of course, it's always nicer to win against a non-Chinese opponent, as all our matches are more like training, but I'm glad I could beat Gong. I usually lose against her," said Dai (pictured).

Chinese ruling in the women’s doubles event was almost disputed by Rikke Olsen and Helene Kirkegaard who pushed youngsters Zhang Yawen and Zhao Tinting to overtime in the last game. They join compatriots Wei Yili and Zhang Jiewen in tomorrow's final.

Europe will have something to cheer for on Sunday, though, when the mixed doubles features an all Danish match between Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen and Jens Eriksen/Mette Schjoldager. Chen Qiqiu and Chen Lin almost upset the number two seeds Eriksen/Schjoldager when they had a shot at victory in the fourth game, levelling up 6/6 after leading 2 games to 1. Yet Eriksen's powerful smashes and Schjoldager's inspired net play helped the Dane''s to win the fourth and fifth games.

Results of the day :
Taufik Hidayat (INA) bt Muhd. Hafiz Hashim (MAS) :8/7 - 7/2 - 7/3
Wong Choong Hann (MAS) bt Johan Hadikusuma (INA) : 7/1 - 7/2 - 7/1

WS :
Zhang Ning (CHN) bt Ng Mee Fen (MAS) : 7/0 - 8/7 - 7/3
Dai Yun (CHN) bt Gong Zhichao (CHN) : 7/3 - 7/0 - 7/5

MD :
Tony Gunawan/Halim Haryanto (INA) bt Tesana Panvisvas/Pramote Teerawiwanata (THA) : 8/6 - 7/5 - 7/0
Candra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto (INA) bt Chew Choon Eng/Chan Chong Ming (MAS) : 8/7 - 7/2 - 7/3

WD :
Wei Yili/Zhang Jiewen(CHN) bt Diah Novita/Enny Erlanga (INA) : 7/3 - 8/6 - 7/3
Zhang Yawen/Zhao Tinting (CHN) bt Rikke Olsen/Helene Kirkegaard (DEN) : 5/7 - 8/6 - 7/2 - 2/7 - 8/7

MXD :
Jens Eriksen/Mette Schjoldager (DEN) bt Chen Qiqiu/Chen Lin(CHN) : 7/8 - 0/7 - 7/4 - 8/6 - 7/1
Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (DEN) bt Liu Yong /Zhang Jiewen (CHN) : 8/6 - 7/3 - 3/7 - 7/3

Report and pictures by Raphael Sachetat