Sunday 14th June is the finals of the Aviva Open 2009. It was an exciting day at the Singapore Indoor Stadium with crowds filling up the seats on four sides of the stadium. The crowds filled the seats to huge capacity amidst the colorful cheering plastic clubs. The atmosphere was highly electrifying throughout the whole tournament from beginning to end.
I was fully entertained except for the men's doubles game between Indonesia and England. The Indonesian pair of Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan did not live up to their expectations. The game was a whitewashed in straight sets by the English pair of Anthony Clark and Nathan Robertson. The Indonesian Olympic champion was totally outclassed by the unseeded English pair. The score stood at 12-21, 11-21 . The Englishmen took home a price money of US$15,000.
In the women's double the chinese pair of Zhang Yawen and Zhao Tingting easily beat the Indonesian pair of Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Greysia Polii in straight sets with a score of 21-14, 21-13. In the mixed doubles it was an All-China affair. The pair of Zheng Bo and Ma Jin performed better to take the game in the rubber against Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen. The score stood at 19-21, 21-19 and 21-11. The champion pair took home US$15,800 with the runners-up taking home UD$7,600.
The main singles event in both the men's and ladies finals was the climax of the day. In the ladies singles game it was a 'fight' between Xie Xingfang and the ex-Chinese player Zhou Mi who now represents Hong Kong. She came out of retirement and in her desire to win this event she did it in a splendid way. She showed finesse and stamina to take the game to 3-sets in a class-performance to capture the title with a win of 21-19, 18-21 and 21-10. Zhou Mi pocketed a cool US$15,000 as ladies' singles champion.
The main attration was the last game of the day in the men's singles finals. It was a show that brought the whole stadium to live with support for both the Chinese and the Thai players. Although the game was interrupted by a few disputed line calls, it was indeed a perfect ending to a excellant performance by both players. Bao Chunlai stood tall and Boonsak Ponsana was well received by all spectators. The performance was one of 'world-class' with a rubber game that has displayed a string of impossible shots and retrieves by both players. The 3-set game ended at 21-19, 16-21 and 21-15. What a performance that I have witnessed! Bao Chunlai held the trophy and a check of US$15,000 that is equivalent to Singapore $22,000. Boonsak was happy with US$7,600 as a runner-up. The final game was a fitting grand finale in this Super Series. Viva Aviva!
video @ www.youtube.com/tarzenpeh
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Aviva Open 2009-Quarter-finals
More upsets came our way in the Aviva Open in the quarter-finals. The first victim was Sony Dwi Kuncoro when he was stunned by the unseeded Korean Park Sung Hwan with a score of 21-19, 21-15 in straight sets. However Chinese player Bao Chunlai managed to tamed wild card Vietnames Nguyen Tien Minh with a convincing win 21-16, 21-13. Thai player Boonsak Ponsana advanced to the semi-finals when he trashed Indian player Anup Sridhar - 21-11, 21-8.
There was another upset in the ladies game. World N04 Wang Yihan was unceremoniously shown the exit when her compatriot Jiang Yanjiao won in straight sets 17-21, 11-21.
In another game Singapore's only survivor pair of Hendra Wijaya and Hendri Saputra lost to the Indonesian pair of Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan. The Singapore pair could not overcome the Olympic champion pair and it ended Singapore's only hope in this quarter-finals. They lost 20-22, 21-17, 21-18.
So let's see who will survive in the semi-finals. With such unpredictable outcome in the fast game of today, it is survival of the fitest!
There was another upset in the ladies game. World N04 Wang Yihan was unceremoniously shown the exit when her compatriot Jiang Yanjiao won in straight sets 17-21, 11-21.
In another game Singapore's only survivor pair of Hendra Wijaya and Hendri Saputra lost to the Indonesian pair of Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan. The Singapore pair could not overcome the Olympic champion pair and it ended Singapore's only hope in this quarter-finals. They lost 20-22, 21-17, 21-18.
So let's see who will survive in the semi-finals. With such unpredictable outcome in the fast game of today, it is survival of the fitest!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Aviva Open Singapore- round 2 Super Series Upset
On the 2nd day of the Aviva Open selection round was a day of disbelief and upset when two big names bite the dust. First the victim was Lee Chong Wei, the number 1 world ranking player who lost in a nail-biting finish to a 26 year old Vietnamese ranked 11 Nguyen Tien Minh. The score stood at 24-22, 20-22, 21-19 in a one-hour battle. The second victim was Peter Gade the Danish star who lost to the Indian qualifier Anup Sridhar at 19-21, 21-16, 13-21.
In the ladies singles game Singpore's Xing Aiying did a great battle with the young chinese player Wang Yihan before losing 16-21, 21-8, 7-21. Wang Yihan shows great potential. She has got the makes of a champion and make no mistake on her determination to show her prowess. Another Singapore ladies player Fu Mingtian did not manage to overcome Dutch player Judith Meulendijks . She was shown the way out with 18-21, 13-21. And yet another Singapore women's doubles pair of Shinta Mulia Sari and Yao Lei falls at the hands of the Indonesian pair of Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda at 12-21, 17-21.
Singapore's only hope now lies in the hands of the men's doubles pair of Hendri Saputra and Hendra Wijaya who beat the Malaysian pair of Chan Chong Ming and Chew Choon Eng at 21-19, 21-16. Wish the Singapore pair success in the quarter-finals.
Let's see what other surprises may come our way in the quarter-finals, the semi and the grand finals.
In the ladies singles game Singpore's Xing Aiying did a great battle with the young chinese player Wang Yihan before losing 16-21, 21-8, 7-21. Wang Yihan shows great potential. She has got the makes of a champion and make no mistake on her determination to show her prowess. Another Singapore ladies player Fu Mingtian did not manage to overcome Dutch player Judith Meulendijks . She was shown the way out with 18-21, 13-21. And yet another Singapore women's doubles pair of Shinta Mulia Sari and Yao Lei falls at the hands of the Indonesian pair of Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda at 12-21, 17-21.
Singapore's only hope now lies in the hands of the men's doubles pair of Hendri Saputra and Hendra Wijaya who beat the Malaysian pair of Chan Chong Ming and Chew Choon Eng at 21-19, 21-16. Wish the Singapore pair success in the quarter-finals.
Let's see what other surprises may come our way in the quarter-finals, the semi and the grand finals.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Aviva Open Singapore-Selection round
The preliminary selection round for the Aviva Open 2009 has some surprises instore. A major upset was created in the ladies' singles when the world No.8 from China, Lu Lan was overwhelmed by Singapore's Fu Mingtian in an exciting rubber set. The young teenager scalped the more experienced chinese player with a score of 8-21, 21-9, 21-19. Another young Singaporean Zhang Beiwen nearly score another upset when she was finally downed 21-10, 21-18, 21-19 by China's world No 4 Wang Lin. Eventually the more experienced player triumphed over the fledging potential from the Lion City. Singapore's top women's player Xing Aiying had an easier road to the next round with a win over the Dannish player with 21-7, 21-18.
In the men's singles world No 1 Lee Chong Wei easily overwhelmed Smith from U.K. setting the score at 21-11, 21-12. In the men's doubles Singapore's pair of Hendri Saputra and Hendra Wijaya disposed the Malaysian pair in an exciting rubber set at 21-9, 17-21, 21-10.
In the women's doubles the Singapore ladies pair of Shinta Mulia Sari and Yao Lei made shortwork of the Japanese pair in straight sets - 21-15, 21-15.
So far the Singapore players are very encouraging and they are quite determind to put up a good show in home ground. With the exception of the men's singles which is not represented, we hope to see a better overall result in the forthcoming rounds.
In the men's singles world No 1 Lee Chong Wei easily overwhelmed Smith from U.K. setting the score at 21-11, 21-12. In the men's doubles Singapore's pair of Hendri Saputra and Hendra Wijaya disposed the Malaysian pair in an exciting rubber set at 21-9, 17-21, 21-10.
In the women's doubles the Singapore ladies pair of Shinta Mulia Sari and Yao Lei made shortwork of the Japanese pair in straight sets - 21-15, 21-15.
So far the Singapore players are very encouraging and they are quite determind to put up a good show in home ground. With the exception of the men's singles which is not represented, we hope to see a better overall result in the forthcoming rounds.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Aviva Open Singapore
The Aviva Open Singapore is to be played at the Indoor Stadium in Kallang. The game is scheduled for 4 days from 11th to 14th June. The prize money is US$200,000 or Singapore $291,000.
The badminton tournament will see these top players in action. Top seed Lee Chong Wei, Peter Gade currently world number 2, Chen Jin and Bao Chunlai from China, Sony Dwi Kuncoro from Indonesia will battle out for top honours. However it's a pity and sad that Lin Dan the most celebrated player will not be able to take part in this tournament. Many enthusiasts like me will be sadly disappointed indeed. His mastery of his skills is something to marvel at and at the same time very entertaining.
For the ladies players, the world number 1 Tine Rassmussen has withdrawn due to an injury. The main players are Zhou Mi from HK and the up and coming Wang Yihan from China. She has shown her mettle in winning the All-England title this year on top of 3 other wins. Look out for her! Singapore represented by Xing Aiying has an uphill task against the more seasoned players. However she has the benefit of playing in home ground and let's give her our support.
The game should be just as exciting and interesting inspite of the absense of 2 top players. I'm sure the spectators are going to have a good time at the Indoor Stadium. Enjoy your game.
The badminton tournament will see these top players in action. Top seed Lee Chong Wei, Peter Gade currently world number 2, Chen Jin and Bao Chunlai from China, Sony Dwi Kuncoro from Indonesia will battle out for top honours. However it's a pity and sad that Lin Dan the most celebrated player will not be able to take part in this tournament. Many enthusiasts like me will be sadly disappointed indeed. His mastery of his skills is something to marvel at and at the same time very entertaining.
For the ladies players, the world number 1 Tine Rassmussen has withdrawn due to an injury. The main players are Zhou Mi from HK and the up and coming Wang Yihan from China. She has shown her mettle in winning the All-England title this year on top of 3 other wins. Look out for her! Singapore represented by Xing Aiying has an uphill task against the more seasoned players. However she has the benefit of playing in home ground and let's give her our support.
The game should be just as exciting and interesting inspite of the absense of 2 top players. I'm sure the spectators are going to have a good time at the Indoor Stadium. Enjoy your game.
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