CHINA OPEN 2010 QF – A repeat of Korea GP final in MD

The semi-finals of the 2010 Li Ning China Open Super Series will see a repeat of Korea Grand Prix final as Korea’s Lee Yong Dae / Jung Jae Sung take on compatriots Ko Sung Hyun and Yoo Yeon Seong after beating Cai Yun / Fu Haifeng and Koo Kien Keat/ Tan Boon Heong respectively in the quarter-finals.

By Lee Anne Yabut, Badzine Correspondent. Photos: Badmintonphoto (live)

First set was close as both Korean and Chinese pairs led an exciting set, Lee/Jung (photo) only stealing two rally points to end the match 19-21. Cai/Yun then took an equally thrilling comeback, resorting to net winners and forcing a few errors from the Korean pair that switched the score to 21-19.  Korea finally answered by playing against China in their own game, also using net shots which led to 9 consecutive points and 7 net winners. The clever changes of pacing from smash to netting sealed China’s aggressive powerplay, shutting them down at an outstanding 21-8.

Meanwhile, Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong (photo) will be packing home as well after losing against Ko Sung Hyun / Yoo Yeon Seong.  The Koreans smashed their way in the first set 21-17 as it produced 4 crucial winners. Malaysia also fired back in the second set, consistently pushing quality net play and clear winners that produced a winning gap of 21-18.

Despite having net winners, the smashing power of the Korean pair proved to be much stronger as they dictated the 3^rd set, 21-16 and powering over 10 winners and 6 winning rallies overall.

End of fairy tale for Intanon

In women’s singles, the incredible winning streak of Ratchanok Intanon (pictured below) finally ended after she lost to defending champion Jiang Yanjiao 10-21, 21-19, and a close 18-21. The 15-year-old put up an incredible fight, learning from the huge gap in the first game and returning with terrific net play which controlled the flow of the second game.  Using her 8 net winners compared to Jiang’s 1, she managed to lock the game with a close 2-point win.

As the match became a net-gameplay, Jiang managed to outmanoeuvre Ratchanok with crucial net and clear winners thus finally closing the Grand Prix and two-time World Junior champion.

New generation stars continue to emerge in the ranks as Du Pengyu wins over Jan Jorgensen with an unexpected walkover from the last representative of Denmark in men’s singles event. Jorgensen had to retreat from the match after suffering from a toe infection during his match with Chan Yan Kit. Du Pengyu is now expected to go against Bao Chunlai.

Full results HERE