Peter Gade demolishes Chen Hong

By Prakash Padukone

SEVILLE, JUNE 9. The Asian domination in the 12th World badminton championships has been so total that by the penultimate day of the tournament, there was only one European left in the fray - Peter Gade of Denmark - in the men's singles. All other top Europeans have already been eliminated from the field in all the five events -men's singles and doubles, women's single's and doubles & mixed doubles.

One of the interesting features in Seville has been the absence of a European combination in the final of the mixed doubles, considered to be their stronghold. Instead, two Asian pairs - one each from China and Korea - contested the final which went in favour of Zhang Jun & Gao Ling.

In one of the best matches witnessed in these championships, Zhang Jun and Gao Ling of China scored a dramatic one point win over Kim Dong Moon and Ra Kyung Min of Korea to win their maiden World championships title. Many in the San Pablo Stadium, where the event is being played, were of the opinion that a match of this class has not been witnessed for a long time.

This final would go down in history as one of the closest matches ever played on the circuit. In the end, Zhang & Gao prevailed over the Koreans 15-10, 12-15, 17-16 to emerge worthy winners in a marathon battle which lasted 87 minutes. The Korean pair were trying to defend the title they had won in Copenhagen two years ago, but, failed in their attempt at the last hurdle.In fact, Korea has always fared well in this event and has won the crown on four occasions since the inception of the World championships in 1977. Park Joo Bong, undoubtedly one of the best Korean doubles players the world has ever seen and currently the chief doubles coach in Malaysia, had won this title on three earlier occasions -in 1985, 1989 and 1991, but, with two different partners.

Second-seeded Peter Gade of Denmark made short work of All- England finalist Chen Hong of China and strode majestically into the final. His opponent on Sunday will be the winner of the match between Taufik Hidayat and Hendrawan who will play the second semifinal later. It is expected that Taufik will go through to the final as he has won both the matches they have played so far against each other.

Peter Gade on Saturday was unplayable, especially in the second set. After winning the first game on extra points 17- 14, the Dane demolished Chen Hong in the next for the loss of only two points. The Chinese had absolutely no chance at all in this game as Gade established an unassailable 13-1 lead before Chen scored his second point. Chen could go no further as the Dane wrapped up the game 15-2 to win the match in 49 minutes.

These two have met four times earlier and Gade has won on three occasions. The latest was last week in the Sudirman Cup where also Gade came out on top in two games.

On an adjoining court, where the first semifinal of the women's singles was being played, the two Gongs from China - Gong Zhichao and Gong Ruina - fought it out amongst themselves for a place in the final.

Hardly anyone noticed that match being played, where the favourite for the title Gong Zhichao lost in two games to her compatriot Ruina. She will now meet Zhou Mi in the finals. For the first time somebody played a calculated and sensible game against Gong Zhichao. Once Zhichao lost the opening game 10-13, her shoulders started drooping and her body language also became negative. This helped Ruina immensely as she gained in confidence and went on the attack. She scored most of her points serving low, but a little longer on her opponent's body, almost forcing her to tap. This strategy unsettled Zhichao and she came under pressure to concede many easy points. Of course both players knew each other's game so well that ultimately it helped Ruina who was the more aggressive of the two.

The other semifinal also turned out to be a one sided affair as Zhou Mi proved too strong for Zhang Ning and won in two games.

* The results: semifinals: (men's singles): Peter Gade (Den) bt Chen Hong 17-14, 15-2.

Women's singles: Gong Ruina bt Gong Zhichao 13-10, 11-4.

Mixed doubles (final): Zhang Jun/Gao Ling bt Kim Dong-Moon/Ra Kyung-Min 15-10, 12-15, 17-16.

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