BWF WORLD SUPER SERIES - DENMARK OPEN 2009: Organisers leaving no stones unturned
News 11:13 AM
The Denmark Open will kick off on Tuesday in a stadium tailored for badminton in the heart of
The organisers have also prepared in a very active way, even if they’ve been disappointed with
Never has the official Denmark Open’s website been so interactive. With a set of English, Bahasa and Chinese speaking correspondents ready to blog live from Odense, video content already online, a dedicated English website for non Danish speaker under the ruling of former Head coach Steen Pedersen, it seems like the organisers are more than ready to make this specific Denmark Open widely known – on top of the invitation sent to some specialised journalists from all over the world.
It’s even possible to vote for the match you want to see broadcasted on the live streaming channel ! And of course, as the Super Series moves to the old continent for the 9th and 10th legs in
Unfortunately, the organisers discovered a last minute withdrawal from most of the 26 players involved in the draw, with only 8 Chinese finally making the trip to
Since Lin Dan withdrew this week end – he had just clinched the Gold medal in his home China Games - and Lee Chong Wei had not entered the event, Peter Gade is seeded 1st for his home event even if he had a scare few days ago.
“I slipped about 10 days ago during practice and had to take 3 days off because of some pain in my knee, but its 100% okay now,” said the Dane, before explaining (as seen on denmarkopen.dk) that his preparation will not be altered by the Chinese withdrawal.
“My preparations for this tournament do not change, although the Chinese are not coming. I will still do everything in my power to win the title again. It is obviously unfortunate that I - and the other Danes - do not get a chance to meet the Chinese players on home soil - and most of all pity for the tournament,” he added.
The Dane kicks off with a qualifying player for a first opponent – most likely
But before that, the seventh seed youngster will have to face another Dane – Hans Kristian Vinttinghus in his opening match. Joachim Persson and Simon Santoso are set to meet in the other quarter in order to face the mighty Dane.
Sony Dwi Kuncoro is seeded second and will have a rather tough draw with Dicky Palyama as a first course, before a quarter-final clash probably against Chetan Anand, from
In the lower part of the draw, Wong Choong Hann and Hafiz Hashim could be playing each other in the third round, before meeting Chen Long, the sole Chinese hope in the men’s singles.
The world junior Champion could see there the ideal opportunity to shine for his first major competition outside
The last minute participation of Wang Yihan – after her name was first cleared off the list by Chinese officials – will give the women’s singles draw some composure. She and Tine Rasmussen are now firm favourites to meet in an expected mouth watering final.
After the disappointment in her home National Games held this past weekend in Qindao (she was beaten in the quarters by youngster Wang Shixian), Wang Yihan will certainly hope to shine in Odense with quite a bit of pressure as she is the only one from her usually long squad of compatriots to make the trip to Denmark.
The Chinese will probably have a couple of easy days as she’s set to meet much lower ranked opponents before the quarter-finals, where she could face Japan’s Ai Goto – an opponent never easy to play, especially if not on top physical form.
Tine Rasmussen looks like she is back in form as mentioned recently by Kenneth Jonassen, Denmark’s head coach and will have to be at her best from scratch as she plays Netherlands’ Judith Meleundijks in the first round.
The tall Dane is then expected to play Pi Hongyan of France, who is seeded no 3 with a tricky first round in the name of
With no less than six pairs in the men’s doubles, it will be an ideal time for local youngsters to prove their worth to the National coaches who will be there to watch, of course.
Matthias Boe and Carsten Mogensen will be the best seeded pair for
Their road could be crossing again England’s path as the duo of Nathan Robertson/Anthony Clark are set to meet compatriots Robert Blair/Chris Adcock before a quarter final against the mighty Danes as the latter won’t have to cross swords with China’s newcomers Chai Biao and Zhang Nan – the latter have withdrawn.
Lena Frier Kristiansen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl could also be shining at home, after their crown in the European Championships in Herning, last year. The duo is seeded No 2 and will be eager to meet Japan’s Miyuki Maeda/Suetsuna Satoko in the quarters, unless the latter get upset by India’s new pair of Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa or England’s Jenny Wallwork/Gabrielle White.
The toughest part of the draw however lies in the upper part, with
There could be a rematch of the World championships finals as early as the semi-final as home heroes Kamilla Rytter Juhl and Thomas Laybourn are set to meet top seed Nova Widianto and Liliyana Natsir in the upper part of the draw.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 11:13 AM.
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