Preview German Open Grand Prix 2009

European tour session one will be opened in Mulheim from 24 February-1 March 2009, German Open Grand Prix. This tourney could be ‘warming up’ for most of players before the prestigious All England Super Series 2009 in a week after. The Chinese comes almost with all of their best shuttlers to this event which has money prize US$ 80,000 since their not participate at Malaysia SS and Korea SS last January.

Men’s Singles

As defending champion last year, Lee Hyun Ill will not participating to this event since he retired after Olympic Bejing 2009. World #12 Bao Chunlai (1) looks very obvious among the other top seeded after Malaysia, Indonesia and Denmark didn’t send their best players. He has big chance taking final match if he could deal with Andrew Smith (5) in the quarterfinals. Hence, this battle only happen if Smith can handle India’s Arvind Bhat (9) or dark horse from Malaysia, Mohammad Arif Abdul Latif on his previous match.

The winner of Swedish International Challenge, Jan O Jorgensen should rematch against the Dutch, Eric Pang before facing Bao Chunlai at semifinal stage. But it will bedifficult way since he have to beat Korean, Hong Ji Hoon in the third round and the Japanese, Kenichi Tago (4) in the quarterfinlas.

Sho Sasaki (6) might want to repeat his last year achievement as runners-up but before take quarterfinal ticket, he should pass over 2 Chinese players, Wen Kai in the second round and last year semifinalist, Gong Weijie in the third round. The only Pelatnas’s shuttler of Indonesia, Tommy Sugiarto will fade his dream into quarterfinal but not an easy way as he has to crash with seeded #2 from India, Chetan Anand in the second round and Denmark’s Hans Kristian Vittinghus in the round after.

Seeded #3 from Malaysia, Wong Choong Hann should be the other player in the semifinal spot if he can stop the India’s raising star, Anup Sridhar (15) in the third round. Malaysian youngster, Tan Chun Seang or Dicky Palyama (8) will be the next opponent for Hann in the quarterfinals.

Women’s Singles

Runners-up this tournament last year, Wang Yihan, (6) should have no worries to reach at quarterfinal stage if she could pass a giant-killer, Ai Goto in second round. To take final ticket and meet with her compatriot, Zhu Lin (1), Yihan probably meet up with Hwang Hye Youn (5) in the quarterfinal and the home soil player, Xu Huaiwen (2) in the next round.

The top seeded, Zhu Lin has an easy way in her first and second round before challenge Malaysia’s, Wong Pei Xian Julia or Megumi Taruno in the quarterfinals. The opponent’s of Zhu’s in the semifinal probably between two European ladies, Bulgarian’s Petya Nedelcheva (3), Judith Meulendijks (Netherland) or Juliane Schenk (8). Petya and Judith would meet at second round when Juliane Schenk have to turn her luck over two dark horse players, Korean’s Bae Youn Joo or Singaporean, Fu Mingtian.

Men’s Doubles

World #1, Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae separates their partnership at this event. Lee Yong Dae get new combination with Shin Baek Choel and being seeded 5. Both of them probably meet with their compatriot’s, Ko Sung Hyun/Cho Gun Woo before facing the Danish, Simon Mollyhus/Anders Kristiansen (4). The other top Korean doubles player, Hwang Ji Man alsa take new chance with most formidable mixed player, Han Sang Soon. As the sevent seeded they have to face Malaysian, Gan Teik Chai/Tan Bin Shen. On their first match.

The other interesting match at first round is between two America’s, Tony Gunawan who’s separate himself from Candra Wijaya and partnering back with Howard Bach and the new collaboration from China, Guo Zhendong/Xu Chen. Guo Zhendong has many experience with Xie Zhongbo and Xu Chen took his highest achievement with Cai Yun as the runners-up of French SS 2008. The winner between this match would have big opportunity to reach semifinal stage.

Women’s Doubles

As always, this sector would be between Korea or China and also this time. Silver medalist Olympic 2008 as defending champion of this tournament last year, Lee Hyo Jung/Lee Kyung Won probably will face the winner of Japan SS and China Masters SS 2008, Cheng Shu/Zaho Yunlei in the semifinal round. The match between duo Lee and Cheng/Zhao will be an interesting match with with both pairs coming from countries with a solid badminton culture that have been competing for primacy in the discipline of late. In the bottom half, the other KoreanHa Jung Eun/Kim Min Jung if they can beat the dark horse from Singapore, Yao Lei/Shinta Mulia Sari. The other Chinese pair, Pan Pan/Tian Qing probably meet with this two Korean for semifinal ticket.

Mixed Doubles

The unforgettable moments created by Olympic gold medalist, Lee Yong Dae/Lee Hyo Jung (1) in this tournament last year when they’re almost lost over Chinese pair, He Hanbin/Yu Yang, went down from 9-21 before surprisingly force their luck 27-25 and winning the decider 21-18. Now they’re back and should no worries for semifinal ticket. But to keep their crown and taking step into final round, they should against Chinese new partnership semifinalist Hongkong SS 2008,, Zheng Bo/Ma Jin in the top four round. But before meet the Korean, Zheng Bo.Ma Jin probably face semifinalist Korea SS 2009 from India, Diju/Jwala (4).

The other Korean pair, Han Sang Hoon/Kim Min Jung (7) will face stiff challenges from England’s pair, David Lindley/Suzanne Rayappan (3) in the quarterfinals if these two Britannia can handle the dark horse from Indonesia/Russia, Flandy Limpele/Anastasia Rushkikh in their first match. To make it info final battle with their compatriot’s Lee/Lee, Han/Kim will be tested by runners-up China SS 2008, Xu Chen/Zhao Yunlei in the semifinal for their talent and consistency. (www.bulutangkis.com)

Clark & Kellogg to face Robertson & Wallwork in Yonex All England draw

THE luck of the draw deserted England’s two big hopes for the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham from February March 3-8.

Just two days after helping Team England win the silver medal at the European Team Championship at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England’s European champions and fourth seeds Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg, the 2007 runners-up, were drawn against their team-mates, 2005 champion Nathan Robertson and new partner Jenny Wallwork, in the first round of the mixed doubles.

And the winners could face another England pair in teenage stars Chris Adcock and Gabby White in the second round.

On top of that Anglo-Scottish pair Robert Blair and Imogen Bankier, who are the seventh seeds, must take on England’s world No 16 pair David Lindley and Suzanne Rayappan in the first round.

But it wasn’t only England who were out of luck. Three-times champion Lin Dan is on course to meet his team-mate Bao Chunlai in the second round of the men’s singles if the world and Olympic champion overcomes a qualifier and Bao beats Dutchman Eric Pang in the opening round of the men’s singles. China’s third seed Chen Jin, who beat Lin Dan in last year’s final, starts his title defence against Japan’s Kenichi Tago.

Andrew Smith, the hero of England’s valiant bid to beat Denmark on Sunday with his win over world No. 6 Joachim Persson, is the only home player in the main draw of the men’s singles and he faces India’s Chetan Anand in the first round.

Two-time English National champion Rajiv Ouseph and runner-up Carl Baxter both have to qualify. Ouseph faces Ireland’s Scott Evans while Baxter meets India’s Anand Pawar, who beat him in the Bank of Scotland quarter-finals in Novermber before Ouseph defeated the Indian player in the final.

In the women’s singles Jersey’s Elizabeth Cann is the only English player in the main draw and she faces a tough opener against seventh seed Wang Lin of China. Scotland’s Commonwealth bronze medallist Susan Hughes will face a qualifier. English National champion Jill Pittard meets Finland’s third qualifying seed Anu Nieminen in the first round of qualifying.

In the men’s doubles Clark and Robertson are seeded eighth and face a tricky opener against Korea’s Han Sang Hoon and Hwang Ji Man. England have three other pairs in the main draw with Chris Adcock and Robert Blair in the same quarter as Clark and Robertson. Adock and Blair face Simon Mollyhus and Anders Kristiansen of Denmark in their opening match.

Lindley and Chris Langridge will fancy their chances against Dutch pair Jorrit De Ruiter and Jurgen Wouters but Andrew Eidestedt and Andrew Ellis face a tough time against Malaysian third seeds Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong, the 2007 champions.

In the women’s doubles Wallwork and Gabby White face Malaysians Goh Liu Ying and Ng Hui Lin while England also have a second pair through to the main draw in Heather Olver and Samantha Ward, who take on Japan’s Fujii Mizuki and Reika Kakiiwa.

The entry for the 99th Yonex All England Open championship is one of the strongest on record and tournament director Darren Parks is urging fans to book early. “We have a terrific entry,” he said. “It is like a Who’s Who of current world stars.”

Tickets are available from www.theticketfactory.com or call 0844 444 9994. Don’t forget tickets are available for the qualifying rounds on Tuesday March 3 as well as the main draw.

(Source: Badmintonengland.co.uk)

Results Quarterfinal European Mixed Team Championships

Germany should knocked their out before semifinal match after lost their battle over Russian 2-3. Lack of doubles players is the major cause of their loosing since Kristoff Hopp, Kathrin Piotrowski, Roman Spitko, Nicole Grether and Carina Mette couldn’t join with their team. In the other hand, Poland crushed Netherlands 3-1 after the Dutch 1st MS, Eric Pang lost from Poland’s star, Przemyslaw Wacha.

England vs Ukraine 3-1
XD : Nathan Robertson/Jenny Wallwolk beat Valeriy Atrashchenkov/Elena Prus 21-9, 21-14
MS : Andrew Smith beat Dmytro Zavadskyy 17-21, 21-15, 21-18
WS : Elizabeth Cann lost from Larisa Griga 15-21, 19-21
MD : Christopher Adcock/Robert Blair beat Valeriy Atrashchenkov/Vladislav Druzchenko 21-14, 21-12

Even though the home’s team lack of their single players specially in the ladies after Tracey Hallam can’t participate due to injury they’re still the best form at doubles sectors with many of experience players. The 32 round Olympic 2008 player from Ukraine, Larissa Griga continued her beautiful performance over 2nd England WS, Elizabeth Cann.

Poland vs Netherlands 3-1
XD : Robert Mateusiak/Kamilla Augustyn beat Jorrit De Ruiter/Ilse Vaessen 21-14, 21-9
MS : Przemyslaw Wacha beat Eric Pang 21-15, 10-21, 21-13
WS : Natalia Pocztowiak lost from Judith Meulendijks 9-21, 12-21
MD : Michal Logosz/Robert Mateusiak beat Ruud Bosch/Koen Ridder 21-15, 21-12

Dutch has an advantage when Yao Jie and Judith joining their team. But unfortunately they didn’t have good enogh men players except Eric Pang and Dicky Palyama. If Eric didn’t lost his game over Wacha, the Dutch still have their slight edge in the last match (WD) represented by Yao Jie and Judith.

Denmarks vs France 3-1
MS : Jan O Jorgensen beat Brice Leverdez 21-13, 21-13
WS : Nanna Brosolat Jensen lost from Pi Hongyan 9-21, 9-21
MD : Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen beat Baptiste Careme/Ronan Labar 21-16, 21-11
WD : Tine Rasmussen/Marie Roepke beat Laura Choinet/Weny Rahmati 21-12, 21-13

The Queen of Europe, Tine Rasmussen showing her best capabilities not only when she plays single. Partnering with Marie, they’re dusted France 3-1. The only point for France given by Pi and unfortunately she’s not also playing in doubles with Weny.

Russia vs Germany 3-2
XD : Alexander Nikolaneko/Valeria Sorokina beat Johannes Schoettler/ Birgit Overzier 21-11, 21-13
MS : Vladimir Malkov lost from Marc Zwibeler 9-21, 13-21
WS : Ella Diehl lost from Juliane Schenk 14-21, 19-21
MD : Alexander Nikolaenko/Vitaly Durkin beat Michael Fuchs/Ingo Kindervater 21-17, 21-19
WD : Nina Vislova/Valeria Sorokina beat Xu Huaiwen/Birgit Overzier 21-10, 21-18

Without Ktistoff Hopp (whose partnering with Birgit Overzier and winning Bitburger Open 2007 and beating the Chinese, Xu Chen/Zhao Tingting at Malaysia SS 2008), Kathrin Piotrowski (should be partnering with Ingo Kindervater and beating Singaporean, Hendri Kurniawan/Li Yujia at Malaysia SS 2008), Roman Spitko (whose partnering with Michael Fuchs), Carine Matte (had experienced tournament with Birgit Overzier) and Nicole Grether, Germany lost their doubles power from ‘the new star’, Russia. The new pair, Johannes/Birgit seems not a good idea since they have Ingo Kindervater whose had many experiences with Kathrin Piotrawsky before.
(www.bulutangkis.com)

SEOUL, Jan 17, 2009 (AFP) - Results from the quarterfinals of the Korea Open Super Series being held in the South Korea capital Saturday (x denotes seeds):

Men's Singles:

Lee Chong Wei (MASx1) bt Przemyslaw Wacha (POLx7) 21-17, 21-12

Peter Hoeg Gade (DENx3) bt Simon Santoso (INAx8) WD

Women's Singles:

Pi Hongyan (FRAx4) bt Zhou Mi (HKGx1) 23-21, 19-21, 21-12

Wang Chen (HKGx3) bt Tine Rasmussen (DENx2) 21-10, 21-11

Men's Doubles:

Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen (DENx4) bt Fang Chieh Min/Lee Sheng Mu (TPE) 21-16, 21-14

Jung Jae-Sung/Lee Yong-Dae (KORx2) bt Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen (DENx3) 21-11, 21-7

Women's Doubles:

Chien Yu Chin/Chieng Wen Hsing (TPEx1) bt Gao Ling/Wei Yili (CHNx5) 21-15, 21-17

Lee Kyung-Won/Lee Hyo-Jung (KORx2) bt Yang Wei/Zhang Jiewen (CHNx3) 21-16, 18-21, 21-10

Mixed Doubles:

Songphon Anugritayawon/Kunchala Voravichitchaikul (THAx4) bt Valiyaveetil Diju/Jwala Gutta (INA) 21-19, 22-20

Lee Yong-Dae/Lee Hyo-Jung (KORx2) bt Yohan Hadikusumo Wiratama/Chau Hoi Wah (HKG) 21-11, 21-11 (yahoo.news)

CHONG WEI STORMS INTO KOREA OPEN FINAL

Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysian badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei stormed into the final of the Korean Open Super Series after easily defeating Poland's Przemyslaw Wacha in the men's singles semi-final at the Olympic Gymnasium 2, Bangi-Dong, Seoul, today.
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The world number and top seed was in a class of his own and despatched the lanky Wacha, the seventh seed, 21-17 and 21-12 in just 28 minutes.

Chong Wei, the only Malaysian to reach the semis in the tournament, will meet Peter Gade of Denmark in tomorrow's final.

The Dane received a walkover win in the other semifinal after Indonesia's Simon Santoso withdrew.

Chong Wei, who was the silver medallist in the men's singles in the Beijing Olympics, has been off to a great start this year, having picked up the season opening Malaysian Open Super Series title in Kuala Lumpur last week.

Also having won the Super Series Masters in Kota Kinabalu in December, should he succeed in capturing the Korean Open title tomorrow, it will be his third consecutive major title win in a row. (yahoo.news)

Our challenge comes to an end in Copenhagen

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s challenge in the Copenhagen Masters ended with the defeat of world junior doubles champions Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang by Denmark’s Jonas Rasmussen-Lars Paaske in their second Group B match at Falconer Centre last Sunday.

Rasmussen-Paaske chalked a 21-15, 21-16 win over the Malaysians to set up an all-Danish final against Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen, who beat Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia 21-17, 21-15 in the deciding match to determine the qualifiers from Group A.

The Indonesian top pair completed their outing without a single win after crashing 8-21, 17-21 to Poland’s Michal Logosz-Robert Mateusiak earlier in the day.

The men’s singles final will also be an all-Danish affair between Peter-Gade Christensen and Kenneth Jonassen.

Christensen ended the title hopes of Malaysian veteran Wong Choong Hann with an impressive 21-7, 21-19 win in the deciding Group B match. Jonassen overcame Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro 21-17, 2-15 in Group A.

The women’s singles final will be between Denmark’s Tine Rasmussen and Germany’ Xu Huaiwen.

MEN’S SINGLES
Group A: Kenneth Jonassen (Den) bt Sony Dwi Kuncoro (Ina) 21-17, 21-15.
Group B: Peter-Gade Christensen (Den) bt Wong Choong Hann (Mas) 21-7, 21-19.

MEN’S DOUBLES
Group A: Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen (Den) bt Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan (Ina) 21-17, 21-15.
Group B: Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen (Den) bt Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang (Mas) 21-15, 21-16.

WOMEN’S SINGLES
Group A: Tine Rasmussen (Den) bt Adriyanti Firdasari (Ina) 22-20, 21-14.
Group B: Xu Huaiwen (Ger) bt Pi Hongyan (Fra) 15-21, 21-12, 21-19.

(Source: Thestar.com.my)