CHINA MASTERS 2010 – Preview

By Adrian Kok, Badzine Correspondent. Photos (live) : Badmintonphoto.

Men’s Singles: Déjà vu

The 7^th leg of the BWF Super Series will kick off on September 14^th, 2010. Excitement will fill the atmosphere as Lin Dan of China will face Park Sung Hwan of Korea in the first round of the China Masters. Lin Dan has a chance to prove that he is still superior after losing to Park in the quarter-finals of the World Championships recently. Park will surely put up a strong fight to get back to a winning record against Lin Dan. It will be a match to look out for the upcoming tournament.

World number one Lee Chong Wei has withdrawn from the China Masters to rest and prepare for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Same goes with Taufik Hidayat, who was second seed, and opted out of the tournament in spite of still being in the draw. “ It’s a time to be with your loved ones, so I’ve made up my mind to skip the China Masters,” Taufik told Jakarta Globe.

First round match to watch: Park Sung Hwan vs. Lin Dan

Women’s Singles: Playing on her own Turf

Playing on her own home ground, Wang Yihan will have a lot prove. The defeats in the Uber Cup earlier this year and the recent World Championship as drained her confidence. Yihan will face Yip Pui Yin of Hong Kong in the first round.  She will be facing he compatriot the number eight seed Wang Lin in the quarter finals upon overcoming her first and second round. Pi Hongyan and Tine Baun should meet in the quarter final in a part of the draw unexpectedly left by local players…. Apart from qualifiers.

First round match to watch: Wang Yihan vs. Yip Pui Yin

Men’s Doubles: A brand new start

After many talks and being banned by BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia) for a couple of tournaments, Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari will be back in action.  He however will have new doubles partner – Ong Soon Hock. After losing his temper during the Thomas Cup, Mohd Fairuzizuan has promised to bring his game to another level. As for Soon Hock, he will also be out proving to BAM that his badminton is still world class. Both players will be banking on the Li-Ning China Masters 2010 to salvage their badminton careers. They will be facing the second seeds Guo Zhendong  and Xu Chen from China for the first round of the China Masters.

First round match to watch: Ko/Yoo vs. Mak/Tan

It will be a smooth path for the number one seeds of Nova Widianto and Liliyana Natsir all the way to the quarter-finals. The pair that can possibly create an upset would be the Malaysian pair of Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying. Looking at the draw there is no immediate threat for the Indonesian pair. World champions have been drawn apart.  Ma Jin finds herself a new partner with He Hanbin while Tao Jiaming will have partner Tian Qing after his usual partner Zhang Yawen retired. The latter had already played together last year in the China Open.

First round match to watch: Prapakamol/Thoungthongkam vs. Tao/Tian

Women’s Doubles: A bye in the first

Taiwan pair of Chien Yu Chin and Cheng Wen Hsing will get a first round bye and will be on full strength to face either a Indonesian or a Korean pair in the second round.  The Taiwanese pair is the number one seed in under the women doubles category even if they should be ready to take on China’s usual armada. One surprise, though – the mix up in pairs as Wang Xiaoli will team up with Yu Yang and Ma Jin plays with a youngster Zhong Qianxin, who was Ma’s  successor as World Junior Champion, winning the girls’ doubles title in 2007.

First round match to watch: Russkikh/Nedelcheva vs. Bao/Lu

Full schedule and live results HERE