My Story
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Admire her strength
Wong Mew Choo is one step from her Super Series title after she defeated Zhang Ning in the best manner on Saturday. She’ll take on Xie Xingfang, who had little effort to produce to beat compatriot Lu Lan. Raphael Sachetat, live from Guangzhou. Photos : Badmintonphoto.com
Sport isn’t always fair. Wong Mew Choo struggled her way to the final while her future opponent, thanks to the usual Chinese way of yielding, has kept some energy towards the final. But more than ever, the tiny Malaysian deserved to win her match against Zhang Ning. Against the whole spectators. Against China as it seems.
Playing both safe but fast, Wong quickly took the advantage over Zhang Ning, who seemed not in her best day. The Malaysian style of play may have been slightly different from yesterday – as she played a more attacking player – yet her regularity and variation worked just as well as against Zhu Lin. And for once against Zhang Ning, she wasn’t afraid to play at the net “I don’t know what happened today. Usually, when Zhang plays at the net, I just lift, but today, without thinking, I would play back to her at the net, and I was very fortunate” said Wong. Indeed, as the Chinese lost few points when both shuttlers were facing each other, few inches away from the net. The tall Chinese also did commit many mistakes, while on her side, Wong kept bringing back the shuttles in. “She might have been tense because she played in front of her home public, but I didn’t have anything to lose. I am very happy now” said Wong. The Malaysian was close to see Zhang Ning get back in the second game when she led 20/15 before seing Zhang get back to 19/20. “I was very eager to win and I couldn’t control my emotions, so I kept telling myself to be patient.
However, on the last match point, when I saw the opportunity I took the chance” said Wong, speaking about a magic Net rush she opted for while Zhang was still at the net. When asked about the fact that Xie Xingfang had spent little energy thanks to Lu Lan’s poor fight, the Malaysian was very diplomatic. “I can not control such things, so, I just focus on my own game. It will be difficult tomorrow, but I’ll try to do my best, as usual”. Xie had beaten Wong in the French Open last month to avenge her World Championship loss earlier this summer. The World number one however will be definitely the favorite on Sunday. “Xie Xingfang has been very consistent lately, so it will be very difficult for Wong Mew Choo, but she’s played very well through out this tournament. We train hard for this, and it’s not only the fact that she can upset top players from time to time that matters, but mostly that she is able to play constantly at that level, which is what she’s done this week” said coach Tat Meng. “She now develops her own brand, her own style, and these victories are a good sign for the Olympics” added the delighted Malaysian coach.
China out of mixed double
Even if Xie wins on Sunday, China’s clean sweep is already out of question as the last pair in the mixed double event was beaten by Thailand’s Prapakamol and Thungthongkam in a brilliant manner. The Thais were very much in control of the match and played wonderful rallies, bullied by the home crowd. Yet, in spite of a clear misjudgment by the umpire of the match at 16/20 in the second game – he faulted Sudket (pictured arguing) for an imaginary fault at the net which saw a 5 minute break occur – the Thais proved stronger and eventually won 21/16 – 21/17. The Thais will take on world champions Widianto and Marissa who took care of England’s Robertson and Emms Later in the day, Bao Chunlai had gotten his ticket to the final by beating Park 21/13 – 21/16, while Lee Chong Wei was hoping to pursue Malaysia’s good run by playing Chen Jin in the best match of the day.
Sport isn’t always fair. Wong Mew Choo struggled her way to the final while her future opponent, thanks to the usual Chinese way of yielding, has kept some energy towards the final. But more than ever, the tiny Malaysian deserved to win her match against Zhang Ning. Against the whole spectators. Against China as it seems.
Playing both safe but fast, Wong quickly took the advantage over Zhang Ning, who seemed not in her best day. The Malaysian style of play may have been slightly different from yesterday – as she played a more attacking player – yet her regularity and variation worked just as well as against Zhu Lin. And for once against Zhang Ning, she wasn’t afraid to play at the net “I don’t know what happened today. Usually, when Zhang plays at the net, I just lift, but today, without thinking, I would play back to her at the net, and I was very fortunate” said Wong. Indeed, as the Chinese lost few points when both shuttlers were facing each other, few inches away from the net. The tall Chinese also did commit many mistakes, while on her side, Wong kept bringing back the shuttles in. “She might have been tense because she played in front of her home public, but I didn’t have anything to lose. I am very happy now” said Wong. The Malaysian was close to see Zhang Ning get back in the second game when she led 20/15 before seing Zhang get back to 19/20. “I was very eager to win and I couldn’t control my emotions, so I kept telling myself to be patient.
However, on the last match point, when I saw the opportunity I took the chance” said Wong, speaking about a magic Net rush she opted for while Zhang was still at the net. When asked about the fact that Xie Xingfang had spent little energy thanks to Lu Lan’s poor fight, the Malaysian was very diplomatic. “I can not control such things, so, I just focus on my own game. It will be difficult tomorrow, but I’ll try to do my best, as usual”. Xie had beaten Wong in the French Open last month to avenge her World Championship loss earlier this summer. The World number one however will be definitely the favorite on Sunday. “Xie Xingfang has been very consistent lately, so it will be very difficult for Wong Mew Choo, but she’s played very well through out this tournament. We train hard for this, and it’s not only the fact that she can upset top players from time to time that matters, but mostly that she is able to play constantly at that level, which is what she’s done this week” said coach Tat Meng. “She now develops her own brand, her own style, and these victories are a good sign for the Olympics” added the delighted Malaysian coach.
China out of mixed double
Even if Xie wins on Sunday, China’s clean sweep is already out of question as the last pair in the mixed double event was beaten by Thailand’s Prapakamol and Thungthongkam in a brilliant manner. The Thais were very much in control of the match and played wonderful rallies, bullied by the home crowd. Yet, in spite of a clear misjudgment by the umpire of the match at 16/20 in the second game – he faulted Sudket (pictured arguing) for an imaginary fault at the net which saw a 5 minute break occur – the Thais proved stronger and eventually won 21/16 – 21/17. The Thais will take on world champions Widianto and Marissa who took care of England’s Robertson and Emms Later in the day, Bao Chunlai had gotten his ticket to the final by beating Park 21/13 – 21/16, while Lee Chong Wei was hoping to pursue Malaysia’s good run by playing Chen Jin in the best match of the day.
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