BWF WORLD SUPER SERIES - YONEX FRENCH OPEN: No farewell cheer for Lena-Kamilla

It took some action and suspense to get the fans to stay for a last match played at 10 PM after an already amazing day. Moreover a women’s doubles, which usually is not the favourite event of large crowds.

But the show put on by Greysia, Maheswari, Lena and Kamilla surely did the trick as everyone stayed and cheered for their fellow Europeans. And this match had an even more special flavor as it was to be the last one of the two friends from Denmark as the latter will focus on the mixed doubles while Lena will play with a different partner in the women’s doubles.

The duo almost pulled the biggest surprise when they caught back from 12/17 to 17/17 in the decider but Greysia and Maheswari were able to get the last point for a 21/19 – 18/21 – 22/20 success.

“It’s a strange feeling, really. In a way, it’s sad to finish this partnership, especially since we came back in this game and we could have won, but in the other hand, it’s amazing to finish off like this – I wouldn’t have liked to be beaten with 11 or 12 points. And to lose after being supported by so many fans who cheered for us feels great,” said Kamilla Juhl.

“The idea is now for me to clearly focus on the mixed. I know that we were able to play women’s doubles and we still won the mixed world championships, but it’s taken its toll and it has become more and more complicated to play both events in the Super Series. It’s a difficult decision but I look at it in a positive way, to focus on London Olympics,” added the tall Dane.

For Lena, a new career is about to begin, with a bit of frustration, in spite of her trying to look at it positively. “I will now focus on my new partnership. I wish I could have my partner tomorrow but it’s not likely, so it will just be a try out period for me. I’ll be playing with Line Kruse for now, in the Norwegian Open next.”

Greysia and Maheswari will be the only non Chinese pair in the women’s doubles semi-finals as neither Jenny Wallwork/Gabrielle White – who put on a great show – nor top seeds Chin Eei Hui and Wong Pei Tty from Malaysia were able to trouble China’s supremacy.

It was almost a full house, when Pi Hongyan entered the center court of the Coubertin stadium. People stood up to welcome their hero, facing a player she had never thought of meeting at this stage of a competition : Olga Konon, who was going for her 8^th match of the week after playing 7 matches last week in Denmark .

Olga’s net play was just outstanding, which troubled the French, unable to dominate an area of play she usually feels comfortable in. “I could not play at the net, she was there, waiting for me, always ready. She was just playing great and I didn’t know what to do else than lift up the shuttles, and then she was so good at attacking,” said Pi.

The first game was evenly balanced with Pi reaching game point at 20/19. Then another at 21/20, before the Belarusian citizen pulled another incredible set of shots to take the lead and offer herself two game points.

The fans were on the edge of their seats, cheering for Pi, who looked clueless on how finish the game. She did however on her third game point to lead 25/23. This loss felt like a hammer on Olga’s head as the 19 year old failed to recover from the setback and only scored nine points in the second game to give Pi a place in the last four.

Pi can be assured that she will get the full support on Saturday when she takes on Wang Yihan, the tall Chinese, who beat world champion Lu Lan 21/17 – 23/21.

The other semi final will see Yao Jie, who beat Adriyanti Firdasari, against world’s number one Wang Lin of China. The latter beat Saina Nehwal in three hard fought games.

If Pi mentioned about the public’s versatility during her match, it was simply because, while she was playing, so was Peter Gade, the other hot favourite for the home fans. And once again, the Dane enjoyed an amazing support from the packed stadium.

Little did he think that he could upset Bao Chunlai, the tall Chinese who had had great runs in the last tournaments he’s played in. In a splendid battle, Gade was able to keep his speed up, and put pressure on Bao at all times.

The Chinese was seen on many occasions pulling faces, obviously asking for solutions to his coach. But against Gade, today, there wasn’t much more he could do. Gade was just stronger when he pulled the victory 21/15 – 14/21 – 21/13.

“I knew the playing for was good. I was unsure about the physical form today, but it went fine and I was feeling good on court. He looked unsure and that was my plan. No specific tactic today, but just to play with a big variety of shots,” said Gade.

Gade also paid tribute to the fans: “We talk about a 12^th man in football, and today, the French public was like the 12^th man for me.”

The Dane will take on Taufik, for a rematch of last year’s final. The Indonesian played one of his best matches of the year against Chen Long of China, whom he beat 22/20 – 21/15.

“The first game was really crucial and I was then confident I could win after that. Chen Long is very good, but he mostly uses power, only power, instead of his mind as his compatriots do. Maybe he’s still young and he can progress in the future, but I don’t agree with the Chinese who look at him as a future Lin Dan. Lin is just one of a kind and he is above all others,” said Taufik. Lin Dan beat Persson in a good match from both sides and will play Chen Jin in the rematch of the Olympic semi final.

Indonesia will have a shot at four titles, still on Saturday, with two pairs involved in the mixed doubles and one in the men’s doubles.

Posted by Lucas Liau on 1:22 PM. Filed under News . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0