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Lin Dan looking strong
March 08, 2002 - Source : IBF
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He’s got it all. Speed, creativity, a bright vision of the game. Lin Dan, only 18 years old, is believed to be one of the future talents according to the badminton specialists.
He already is a tough fighter in spite of his lack of experience at high level, and he reached the semi-final stage of the All England on Friday evening.
The 2000 Asian Junior Champion and lately runner up of the Danishmanaged to get through another tough contestant, Korean Shon Seung Mo, whose fighting spirit often led him to dive efficiently on the court and bring back unexpected shuttles. Yet Lin Dan was cautious enough to keep his eye on the game at all time, even when the point seemed to be over. The fourth seed from China advanced to the semi-final stage – rising his fist after each point – after a 4/7 – 7/4 – 8/6 – 7/2.
He will play Budi Santoso of Indonesia who gave a hard time to Agus Hariyanto. The Hong Kong player wasn’t able to develop his game as he did the previous day. “I committed many unforced errors, and he played really well. He forbade me to play my usual game, being patient but attacking at the right times. Of course I feel a little bit disappointed after my nice match yesterday, but I’ll try to do better next time,” said Hariyanto, who gets ready to pack for the Swissnext week.
The all Chinese affair in the bottom draw led to a victory by Chen Hong against his elder compatriot Luo Yigang, while Danish winner and World Junior Champion Bao Chunlai beat another of the Chinese young guards, Chen Yu in four games as well.
Sigit and Candra to lead Indonesian hopes
Budi Santoso might have his chances in the men’s singles, but the odds for an Indonesian win will no doubt be on Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya’s shoulders. The Indonesians played just above their opponent’s level to advance to the semi-final stage. “We weren’t very focussed throughout the match, but we’ll have to play a little better tomorrow. It will be an exciting match against Ha and Kim,” said Wijaya after their win 7/5 – 7/3 – 7/4
Ha and Kim had to fight quite hard against what appears to be Denmark’s new best pair, Jim Laugesen and Jesper Larsen, but their experience at high level as a pair prevailed, and Ha could rejoice, shouting out loud as he usually does. The Koreans, trailing twice in the first and second game, won 7/5, - 8/6 and 7/4.
China will have one pair in the last four in spite of Zhang/Zhang’s defeat to Eng and Limpele, as youngsters Cheng and Wang beat Lars Paaske and Jonas Rasmussen.
In the mixed doubles, Jens Eriksen and Mette Schjoldager took over their younger compatriots Rasmussen/Bramsen and will now take on Olympic Champion Gao Ling and Zhang Wei, who will be looking for a consolation prize after his defeat in the men’s double. Britain’s last hopes to conquer a title in the event didn’t last long, as Hogg and Mc Ewan got trashed by Rikke Olsen and Michael Sogaard.
report and pictures by Raphael Sachetat |
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Other news:
» Hafiz to take three-week break
» Memories of… the 2002 Thomas and Uber Cup Finals
» Gopi to lead India in Commonwealth Games
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