Fans unhappy with China ace’s tame defeat by Chen Jin
News 9:24 AM
A show: China players Lin Dan and Chen Jin shaking hands after the latter’s singles semifinal victory yesterday. – UU BAN / The Star
WORLD No. 1 men’s singles shuttler Lin Dan of China was jeered by fans for his “farcical” show en route to the 13-21, 14-21 loss to compatriot Chen Jin in the semi-finals of the Yonex Sunrise Asian Badminton Championships (ABC) at the Stadium Bandaraya in Johor Baru yesterday.
Top seed Lin Dan’s motives for throwing the game were simple – to help Chen Jin join him and world No. 3 Bao Chunlai in the Beijing Olympics – and he couldn’t care less about the heckles from the crowd.
His returns were weak and even his trademark leaping smashes and deceptive shots were missing in the 23-minute match.
Lin Dan’s uncharacteristic defeat has paved the way for Chen Jin to seal his place as the third Chinese qualifier in Beijing. Chen Jin needed to reach at least the final of the ABC to consolidate his fourth position in the world.
And even if Danish world No. 5 Kenneth Jonassen wins the individual title in the ongoing European Championships in Denmark, it will not be good enough to dislodge Chen Jin.
Each country is allowed a maximum of three players for the Olympics if all of them are ranked within the top four in the world.
The outcome of the semi-final between Chen Jin and Lin Dan, however, was not a surprise as national chief coach Yap Kim Hock had predicted that China had sent their best to help Chen Jin’s cause.
Chen Jin, though, refused to admit that Lin Dan had thrown the match.
“It was a normal match between two players who know each other’s game very well. Probably, Lin Dan could not attack because of an injury,” said Chen Jin.
When asked whether it was fixed, Chen Jin said: “I do not know anything about it. I just gave my best.”
But Chen Jin was thrilled to seal his Beijing spot.
“There was pressure on me to qualify (for the Games) from the start.
“My performances have been up and down. So, it was important for me to do well here. I am glad I made it,” said the lanky player.
“I, however, do not think that China will have the advantage at the Olympics although we will have three players. Malaysia, Denmark, South Korea and Indonesia will have two players each and everyone will have a shot at the medals.”
Sung-hwan defeated World Championships runner-up Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia 14-21, 21-16, 21-19 in the other semi-final.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:24 AM.
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