WORLDS 2010 – Baun Supremacy

Tine Baun, while not at her fluid best today, proved that a burning desire to win coupled with a never-say-die attitude are essential qualities for a top professional badminton player as she battled hard to defeat world number 17 Petya Nedelcheva of Bulgaria.

By Mark Phelan (live in Paris) Photo: Badmintonphoto.com (Live)

Baun, who has been away from competitive action for four months, had been hardly tested in previous rounds which is a testament to her undoubted quality. But today, very much like Baun, Petya Nedelcheva is a big tournament player and she brought her ‘A’ game to the TV court in Stade Pierre De Coubertin.

It was the Bulgarian who got off to the best start and led the All England and European Champion 15-13. But like all great champions the newly married Dane began to find her rhythm and her power began to shine through. 4 consecutive points saw Baun take the lead in the set at the vital time and she closed out the win 21-19.

The second set was as good a 25 minutes as we have seen here in Paris this week. Both players giving there all while all the time dealing with the heat in the hall, which for the fourth day running hit the mid 30’s. The Bulgarian, who looks fitter than she has in the recent past, stole the initial initiate and powered her way to a 17-12 lead, many doubting that Baun would bounce back from a deficit so large.

But all that know Tine Baun know that when she is down she is most lethal and once again she proved this in front of the packed stadium. Point by point she clawed her opponent back and to the roars of the crowd levelled at 19-19. There was a brief respite for Nedelcheva as they traded points at 21-21 but Baun’s killer instinct kicked in and she put her opponent away to take the match with a 23-21 victory.

The emotional release after the match by Baun was reminiscent of her celebrations when she won any of her previous major tournaments and proves to all that this Dane is in Paris for one thing and one thing only…GOLD.

“That was a real battle for me today but I always know that when I am on court I can overcome any obstacle. I also know that my opponents know that I have the ability to fight and come back and I use this t my advantage sometimes. Im many ways I needed that intenisty of game today and I know it will benifit me for the rest of the tounament,” said Baun after her victory.

When asked about her heavilty strapped ankles, Baun commented “I have to live with these problems in my feet but I am careful to look after myself. Right after the match, my ankles were so sore but after a few minutes the pain subsided and its just something I have to deal with.”

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