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Wong sole hope of avoiding Chinese clean sweep
September 22, 2001 - Source : IBF
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A surprise defeat for top seeds Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto in the men’s doubles means a clean sweep of titles could well be on the cards for hosts China at the 5* Youngor Super Grand Prix.
The Indonesian former world champions came into the competition as clear favourites, and, untroubled throughout the contest, they looked certain of adding another title to their wins at the Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia earlier this year.
But China’s Liu Yong (pictured) and Chen Qiqiu had other ideas, despite getting off to a shaky start. It was to be a tough-fought contest, going into overtime in the fifth and final game, but the Chinese eventually wrapped it up 3/7, 7/5, 2/7, 7/4, 8/6.
The men’s doubles was perhaps the only title not expected to go China’s way, but that is now not that case, with surprise finalists Liu and Chen pitted against compatriots Zhang Jun and Zhang Wei in tomorrow’s final. Zhang and Zhang made light work of Thailand’s plucky pair Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Panvisvas, finishing them off 7/4, 7/3, 7/1.
The men’s singles is the only title which China are not assured of winning – although they do have a good chance in Xia Xuanze (pictured). The World Grand Prix Finals and Asian Champion ended Singapore’s dreams of a Grand Prix win for Indra Wijaya, although the contest was far from one-sided.
In fact, Wijaya left Xia reeling by taking the first and second games in quick succession. But just as quickly Xia fought back with his trademark strong attack and sharp smashes in time to avert an upset.
Wong Choong Hann (pictured) will be hoping to single-handedly spoil the Chinese party as he is now the sole contender to prevent a clean sweep by the hosts. Wong, who’s back in fine form after a year plagued with injuries, wasted no time in disposing of Chinese giant-killer Guo Jianhua 7/1, 71, 7/0.
A win in the mixed doubles earlier today means that Liu Yong could be on course for a doubles double. Liu – who formerly partnered the indomitable Ge Fei in the mixed event – partnered Chen Lin in the final against Denmark’s Michael Sogaard and Rikke Olsen. The Danes fought hard, but once again the Chinese dug deep and closed in on the title, winning in four hard-fought games 4/7, 8/7, 8/7, 7/5.
Going into today’s semi-finals, the hosts were already assured of wins in the women’s singles and doubles – it was just a matter of defining the cast list. In the singles, the first and second seeds Zhou Mi and Gong Ruina won their respective matches against Zhang Ning and Gong Zhichao to set up a rematch of the Seville World Championship final in June, while doubles world champions Gao Ling and Huang Sui were ousted by Seville silver medallists Zhang Jiewen and Wei Yili. Zhang and Wei take on second seeded Huang Nanyan and Yang Wei.
With one win already under their belt, and three of the remaining finals comprising all Chinese players, the hosts have once again issued a stark warning to the rest of the badminton world, and the fact that many new Chinese talents have surfaced during this event means there’s much work to be done if China are to be challenged in the future.
Results:
MS: Xia Xuanze (CHN) beat Indra Wijaya (SIN) 5/7, 3/7, 7/3, 7/4, 7/3
Wong Choong Hann (MAS) beat Guo Jianhua (CHN) 7/1, 7/1, 7/0
WS: Zhou Mi (CHN) beat Zhang Ning (CHN) 7/0, 7/5, 3/7, 4/7, 8/7
Gong Ruina (CHN) beat Gong Zhichao (CHN) 7/4, 8/6, 7/0
MD: Liu Yong & Chen Qiqiu (CHN) beat Candra Wijaya & Sigit Budiarto (INA) 3/7, 7/5, 2/7, 7/4, 8/6
Zhang Wei & Zhang Jun (CHN) beat Pramote Teerawiwatana & Tesana Panvisvas (THA) 7/4, 7/3, 7/1
WD: Zhang Jiewen & Wei Yili (CHN) beat Gao Ling & Huang Sui (CHN) 7/2, 5/7, 8/6, 6/8, 7/5
Huang Nanyan & Yang Wei (CHN) beat Zhang Yawen & Zhao Tingting (CHN) 2/7, 7/1, 7/1, 7/2
MXD FINAL:
Liu Yong & Chen Lin (CHN) beat Michael Sogaard & Rikke Olsen (DEN) 4/7, 8/7, 8/7, 7/5
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Other news:
» Zhou captures women's singles crown in thriller
» Three Thai doubles pairs sent packing
» Thais go down in mixed doubles
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