China is all set to underline its domination with the men’s world No. 1 Lin Dan and Xie Xingfang, the world No. 1 in the women’s section, spearheading the host’s challenge. By Kalyan Ashok.
The Beijing Olympics assumes great significance for the dominant badminton power, China, which is eyeing a golden sweep. That, however, will be a tall order for the host considering the enormous pressure on its players as the expectations are sky high.
The points format could play a crucial role in deciding the winners. With the rally point system now in vogue (best of 21 points to a game), there is always the possibility of a dark horse calling the shots on his or her day.
It will be China versus the rest of the world at the Games and the competition is expected to throw up exciting contests. The most consistent player in the current format, the 26-year-old World No. 1 Lin Dan, who is the top seed in Beijing, will spearhead China’s challenge. A complete player, who gives very little away and plays aggressively, Lin Dan is a three-time winner of the All England Championship and a two-time winner of the World Championship besides several Grand Prix and Super Series titles. He simply towers over the rest.
Besides Lin Dan, China has two other top men’s singles players — Bao Chun Lai and the current All England champion Chen Jin. Both are world beaters on their day.
If anyone can stop China’s top rung players, it is Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei. He scalped Lin Dan in the Thomas Cup final, though Malaysia went down 2-3. Lin Dan, however, avenged the defeat in the Swiss Super Series. Beijing should witness another gripping contest should Chong Wei and Lin Dan run into each other in the title round.
The men’s field has its share of dark horses. They include the Danish veterans, Kenneth Jonassen and Peter Gade, besides the Indonesian ace and the Athens Olympics gold medallist Taufik Hidayat. The three have a wealth of experience behind them and have shown the ability to raise their game when it matters. Sony Dwi Kuncoro (Indonesia), Boonsak Posana (Thailand) and Park Sung Hwan (South Korea) are among the others who could spring a surprise or two.
Anup Sridhar is India’s lone challenge in the men’s singles. Though Sridhar, ranked No. 33 in the world, made the Olympic cut, he has not done anything really notable since his World Championship showing in 2007. A recurrent ankle problem kept him out of action for nearly three months after he was forced to cut short his campaign in the Swiss Open Super Series. Sridhar has recovered now and has trained hard, but his chances depend purely on the draw.
In the women’s section, the player everyone is looking to beat is Xie Xingfang, the World No. 1 from China. A two-time world champion, Xie, on current form, is the hot favourite, while her team-mates, defending Olympic champion Zhang Ning and the 2007 World champion Lu Lan, can prove quite formidable on their day.
Others capable of challenging the Chinese are Wong Mew Choon (Malaysia), Yip Pui Yin (Hong Kong), Tine Rasmussen (Denmark) and Saina Nehwal (India).
Ranked No. 18 in the world, Saina has the game to upset the top guns, except perhaps Xie Xingfang to whom she has lost quite easily in the past.
What is encouraging about Saina is her fearless approach and never-say-die attitude. However, the Indian’s main drawback is her inability to come on strongly in extended matches. If she conserves her energy and paces her game well, Saina could cause some big upsets.
The All England champion Tine Rasmussen could be a major threat to the Chinese domination. The towering Dane had consistently beaten the Chinese, who are very wary of her.
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