In the Japan Open Super Series the semi-finals were played in the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium today. And as we might have expected, in every semi final the Chinese players stepped from their courts as winners. Tomorrow there is only one other nationality on the posters and flyers for the finals: Malaysia. Some great matches are scheduled.
First the mixed doubles between the winners of the All England, Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei versus the winners of the China Masters last week Tao Jiaming and Tian Qing. Both couples are still very young and are serious candidates for an Olympic medal in London.
The ladies singles is another enirely Chinese get-together. Jiang Yanjiao, the left-handed player with her fantastic technique, will meet Wang Xin, the winner of the China Masters and the new number one in the world.
Then the men’s singles final. A replay of the Olympic final of 2008. Triple world champion and Olympic champion Lin Dan versus the present number one in the world and winner of Olympic silver Lee Chong Wei. It will be the 21st time that these players are facing each other and Lin Dan is far ahead in their mutual encounters: 14-6. This year both players met each other only once so far which was during the Thomas Cup Finals in May. Lin Dan easily won in two games and also in tomorrow’s match I think he has the best credentials.
Another great match will be the men’s doubles final. This one is a replay of the World Championships final a month ago. Triple world champions Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng stand up to the world number one pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong from Malaysia. It’s going to be an encounter in which hard-hitting smashes will fly back and forth as the two left-handed players Fu and Tan have a great smash at their command. At the net Koo plays perhaps in the most spectacular way of the entire community and Cai has a great anticipating ability when he is active in the front of the court. Will the Malaysians take their revenge for their lost World Championship final or will the Chinese win their second consecutive Super Series?
The final match will be the women’s doubles. Why not the men’s doubles, many people may wonder. Well, Zhao Yunlei is playing in two finals and therefore she is scheduled in the first and the last final. Like last week’s China Masters final again an entirely Chinese encounter between the former number ones in the world Zhao and Cheng versus the newly formed pair Yu and Wang.
One thing is for sure: it’s going to be a wonderful badminton happening in Tokyo. Let’s hope that at least once ” Boleh Malaysia” will beat the mighty China!