Jwala-Diju pair pulls out of Macau Open

Hyderabad, Aug 16 India's mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju pulled out of the Macau Open after the latter picked up a back injury during their lost quarterfinal match in the World Badminton Championship at the Gachibowli stadium here.

The world number eight pair was seeded second in the tournament which starts on Wednesday at Macau city but the decided to skip the tournament and would next play in the Chinese Taipei Gold Grand Prix starting August 25.

"I felt a little stiffness in my back during our last match, so I decided to skip the Macau Open and take some rest so that we can play in the Chinese Taipei. It is not serious, its just an old pain. I'm okay and we would leave for Chinese Taipei next Sunday," Diju told PTI. - (Agencies)

'Super' Dan completes hat-trick, China sweeps World C'ship

Hyderabad: Defending champion Lin Dan of China completed a hat-trick of titles while compatriot Lan Lu clinched her maiden gold medal as the Asian superpower swept the World Badminton Championship at the Gachibowli stadium here today.

In an all-Chinese men's singles final, world number five and Olympic champion Lin outplayed second ranked Chen 21-18 21-16 in a battle that lasted for 46 minutes, while seventh seed Lu prevailed over fifth seed Xingfang Xie 23-21 21-12 in 38 minutes.

China also won the men's and women's double titles.

Eighth seeds Yawen Zhang and Tingting Zhao outlasted their compatriots and second seeds Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao 17-21 21-17 21-16 in the men's doubles final that lasted over an hour.

Later, fifth seeds Yun Cai and Haifeng Fu beat fourth seeded Korean pair of Jae Sung Jung and Yong Dae Lee 21-18 16-21 28-26 in an edge-of-the-seat women's doubles final in 75 minutes.

However, the Danish combination of Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl prevented a clean sweep by China when they pulled off the biggest victory of their career beating defending champion and second seeded Indonesian pair of Nova Widianto and Liliyana Natsir in straight games.

Seventh seeded Thomas-Kamilla pair brushed aside their opponents 21-13 21-17 in 38 minutes.

Fifth seed Lin rode on his lightening smashes and long rallies while Chen committed a series of unforced errors.

Lin pushed Chen into the backfoot after an initial neck and neck competition at 6-6. The left handed Lin soon opened up a five point lead at 11-6 as Chen was left doing the catch up act.

The second game was no different as Lin again moved ahead from the start. Chen bounced back to take the lead at 6-5 but a flurry of unforced errors cooked his goose.
Lin drew parity at 9-9 and then after moving together till 14-14, he surged ahead with two power-packed smashes and soon sealed the match.

"This is the first time I am here in India and it has been a great experience. I am happy to win the title," Lin said after the match.

"I am no genius, I just worked hard like my other teammates and I believe all my teammates can win the title as they work hard too," he added.

Asked if he is aiming gold in the London Olympics, Lin said, "That's is too far. For the moment I just want to play better in all the tournaments of this year."

Lin had won the World Championship in 2006 and 2007, apart from winning four All England titles (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009) and Beijing Olympics gold medal.

He helped China win three consecutive Thomas Cup championships in 2004, 2006 and 2008 and has also been a major contributor to Chinese teams which won the Sudirman Cup in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

Chen, who was playing his first world championship final, said he wasn't disappointed as his country has won the gold and that matters the most.

"There is no point to be disappointed as the title will go to China's pocket," he said.

Asked about the match, Chen said, "Before the match, I felt I had a chance but he (Lin) is much more experienced than me. He has played in three world championships now. For me, it is my first world championship and I know with time I will play better in future."

"I was nervous before the match and Lin seized more opportunities in crucial moments, which I couldn't," he added.

Asked what did the coach tell him before the match, Chen said, "Nothing specific, just said go and have fun."

In the women's singles final, Lu turned the table against the 2005 and 2006 world champion Xingfang to win her maiden world championship title.

Lu relied long rallies and strong smashes, and didn't allow her rival to come back into the game after winning a see-saw first game.

In the second game, Lu led from the start. Although Xingfang tried to come back, equalling at 9-9, she soon ran out of steam as Lu kept the momentum going.

"I finished the long rallies quickly and smashed hard and didn't give her a chance to come back. The first game was a really tough game but I didn't expect the second game to be so easy," Lu said after the match.

Asked if she fancies to be the number one, Lu said, "May be some day I will but I have to practice harder and win more such tournaments."

Xingfang said he was feeling a lack of energy after playing so many tough matches.
"I was feeling a lack of energy after playing some tough matches. After the Olympics, I feel with so many young Chinese players coming up, the drive is not that great," she said.

Thomas and Kamilli, who broke the Asian hegemony in the tournament, said it was the biggest day of their career and they were pleasantly shocked after the win.

"It's an amazing feeling. I am still shaking with the excitement. It got to be the biggest day of our career," Thomas said.

"I can now imagine what it means to be a world champion," he added.

Kamilla said this win will help Europeans to take the game to a new height.

"It is a great feeling. I hope this will inspire a lot of people in Denmark and Europe to take the game," she said.

'Super Dan' leads China's domination in World championship

Amit Kumar Das
Hyderabad, Aug 15 (PTI) Defending champion Lin Dan reached the finals after outlasting Sony Dwi Kuncoro in a thrilling three-game match as China's domination continued in the World Badminton championship at the Gachobowli stadium here today.
The World number five prevailed 21-14 13-21 21-15 over the sixth seed Indonesian in an edge-of-the-seat match that last more than an hour.
It will be an all chinese final in the men's and women's singles as World number two Chen Jin notched up an easy 21-16 21-6 victory over World number four Taufik Hidayat in a 39 minutes match.
In the women's singles too, China's Lu Lan beat compatriot Wang Lin to set up a summit clash with teammate Xingfang Xie tomorrow.
Lan, a bronze medalist at the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, outgunned Wang 21-18 21-19 in 47 minutes, while 2005 and 2006 World champion Xingfang took just 33 minutes to dispatch Pi of France 21-18 21-8 in the semifinals today.
In a match that saw fortunes fluctuate too often, Sony made a remarkable comeback after a game down and snatched the second game but still couldn't make it to the finals as Lin had the last laugh.
"Sony had a good tournament. He played very patiently yesterday and today also he kept his patience and played with maturity. He did not allow me to finish off the game quickly," said Lin, who had defeated Sony in the finals of 2007 World championship.
"I am very relaxed after the Olympics and I am not thinking about winning or losing. It doesn't matter who wins tomorrow because we are both Chinese. The thing that matters most is that our country is assured of a gold, which shows the dominance of China in badminton," he added.
"I tried to slow the game down but he was quick with his strokes. He is special. You can slow down and have patience but you will still need that killer stroke to beat him," Sony said.
"My energy level was down today after playing the last few matches but I was not afraid," he added.
In the other match, fourth seed Taufik proved no match against second ranked Chen as the Chinese retrieved all his smashes and flicked in hard.
In the first game, Taufik had opened up a 4-0 lead but Chen soon drew parity and scrapped past him and although the Indonesian clawed back at 14-all, the Chinese moved ahead and pocketed the game comfortably.
Charged up by the first game win, Chen didn't give any chance to his rival and after taking a 8-0 lead went for the kill straight away as Taufik's crumbled under pressure.
"I didn't know how to play against him," Taufik said.
"I tried whatever I could. I smashes, played net dribbles but he was too good," he added.
"But he is 23 and I am 28. He is fitter and younger. If I was young like him, I would have beaten him surely," he quipped.
Chen said he didn't allow Taufik to play freely and kept him away from the nets.
"I didn't give him chance to play at the nets and he was a little slow today, may be because of the tougher matches that he played in the tournament so far but I respect him a lot," he said.
The women's doubles final will also be an all Chinese affair after eighth seed Chinese pair of Yawen Zhang and Tingting Zhao beat fifth seed teammates Jing Du and Yang YU 24-22 18-21 21-8 in a 68 minutes match to face off with compatriots second seed Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao.
Cheng-Zhao beat sixth seeded combo of Jin Ma and Xiaoli Wang 21-16 21-12 in a 37-minute semifinal.
However, in the mixed doubles, Seventh seed Dane mixed doubles pair of Thomas Laybourne and Kamilla Rytter Juhl scripted history reaching their first world championship final today beating top seed Korean Yong Dae Lee and Hyo Jung Lee 18-21 21-9 21-18 in an hour match.
But their compatriots sixth seeded combo of Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen could not emulate them and fell 18-21 21-14 18-21 to second seed Indonesian pair of Nova Widianto and Liliyana Natsir in 59 minutes.
After the match, Kamilla said she can't believe that they are in the finals and credited the win to the attacking game that they played all through out.
"I can't believe it, I am just so happy," Kamilla said. "I was feeling dizzy today but may be it worked as I was more calm."
"This is one of the biggest win. We beat the chinese yesterday and today the Korean. We kept on attacking and won the long rallies," she added.
Her partner Thomas said the fact that they have nothing to prove actually helped them.
"We were solid and made fewer mistakes. We knew they were the favourite and so didn't have any pressure," he said.
In the men's doubles, fifth seed Chinese Yun Cai and Haifeng FU saw off eighth seed Malaysian pair of Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari 18-21 24-22 21-15 in just under 60 minutes.
The Chinese pair will face off with fourth seed Korean combo of Jae Sung JUNG and Yong Dae Lee, who beat second seed Malaysian pair of Kien Keat Koo and Boon Heong Tan 16-21 21-14 22-20 in a see-saw battle of 53 minutes. PTI ATK

Thomas one step away from realising World C’ship title dream

Hyderabad: Denmark’s Thomas Laybourne had once bade adiue to badminton after losing interest in the game but now being close to fulfiling his world championship title dream along with his mixed doubles partner Kamilla Rytter Juhl, the shuttler feels he had taken the right decision of returning back to the sport.

Thomas and Kamilla today reached the finals of the mixed doubles event in the World Badminton Championship, beating top seed Korean pair of Yong Dae Lee and Hyo Jung Lee 18-21, 21-9, 21-18.

“I lost interest in badminton when I was 17 years old and so had stopped playing but I started playing again after a couple of years and today reaching the finals here, I feel that was the right decision,” Thomas said after the semifinal victory.

Returning to the court, however, was not easy and it was only in 2004 that Thomas, partnering Kamilla won his first big tournament
, the Dutch Open and then followed it up with the Danish national in 2005.

Thomas, who will touch 32 this September, said he wants to win the World Championship and an Olympic gold before retiring.

“I have these two goals in life and now that the world championship is a step away I would carry on till the London Olympics in 2012.”

“I know I am 31 but honestly I feel young and fresh. I want to train harder and make a last ditch at the London Olympics, after that may be I’ll stop,” he said.

The Dane duo also won the 2008 World Super Series Masters and was the finalist in the All England Championship in 2005.

Thomas, however, rued the absence of proper infrastructure for the game in Denmark.

“We don’t have proper facilites back home and we can train only for 2-3 hours which is not enough,” he said.

He felt the reason behind Asia’s domination in badminton is their early introduction to the game.

“We get education first and then we persue badminton and so it takes time to get mature and be at your best, where as in Asian countries like China and Malaysian, they start so early. It is a problem but may be its two different countries so things are different,” Thomas signed off.

Saina, Jwala-Diju crash out

Hyderabad, Aug 14 (PTI) Indian challenge ended in the World
Badminton Championship with ace shuttler Saina Nehwal and mixed
doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju crashing out of the tournament
after losing their respective matches here today.
Saina produced a gallant fight against second seed Lin Wang but
the better prepared Chinese made few mistakes and outlasted the Indian
22-20 21-19 a 39-minute battle to reach the semifinals where she meets
compatriot Lu Lan.
In the mixed doubles event, Jwala-Diju fell prey to defending
champions and second seeded Indonesian combo of Nova Widianto and
Liliyana Natsir 6-21 14-21 in just 27 minutes.
In a day marked by a series of upsets, top seeds Malaysian Lee
Chong Wei and Zhou Mi of Hong Kong also crashed out of the world
badminton championship after suffering contrasting defeats in the
men's and women's singles event.
World number one Lee failed to live upto the expectation as
Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro produced the biggest upset of the
tournament, dispatching the Malaysian 21-16 14-21 21-12 in an hour
hard-fought battle.
On the other hand, Chinese Xingfang Xie proved too could for the
world number one Zhou. She beat her 21 -15 21-18 in a match that
lasted for 47 minutes.
Among others in fray, eighth seed Hongyan Pi from france bounced
back from a game down to tame 11th seed German Juliane Schenk 15-21
21-15 21-19 in a match that lasted for more than an hour, while
Seventh seed Lan Lu stunned third seed Tine Rasmussen 21-15 21-13 in
just over an half an hour match.
In the men’s singles, Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia survived a
scare from Dane Jan O Jorgensen and beat him 21-19 21-19 in a
42-minute clash, while second seed Chinese Jin Chen beat 13th seed
Simon Santoso of Indonesia 21-10 21-13 in 43 minutes.
Fifth seed and defending champion Chinese Dan Lin also staved
off the challenege from third seed Peter Hoeg Gade 22-20 21-16 in
49-minute match.
Saina had a rusty start as she allowed Lin to open up a seven
point lead at 8-1 and even though the Hyderabadi drew parity with a
power-puffed smash at 11-11, she couldn’t keep the momentum till the
end.
The world number six took a different approach in the next game
and involved in more long rallies and smashed hard every time the
shuttle went up to secure a eight point lead at 9-1 but the Chinese
was better prepared and reeled off eight points at 10-2 to claw back
into the game and moved neck and neck till 19-19 before wrapping up
the match.
“She was better prepared today. She was defending well. I made a
few silly mistakes but I am happy with my performance. She played
better in the nets and involved in more tabs and pushes which shows
she was prepared,” Saina said.
“I reached the pre-quarters in 2007 and this time I have reached
quarters and I have beaten the top 10 players so I’m satisfied,” she
added.
Her coach Pullela Gopichand also lauded Saina’s effort
especially coming off from a chicken pox bout just 10 days before the
tournament.
“Saina played well, may be could have played better but I feel
she played with rhythm. Recovering from a chicken pox and playing so
well, I couldn’t have aske dfor any thing better,” Gopichand said.
Earlier in the day, Jwala-Diju squandered a three point lead at
9-6 to eventually lose the first game.
The second game was also a lost opportunity as after moving 5-5
initially, the Indian pair couldn’t keep the momentum and was left
doing the catch up act as the Indonesian played a very tactical game
to outplay the Indians.
“We played the way they wanted us to play, which was not cleaver
in any way. WE were playing close to their body and they were more
then comfortable,” Diju said.
“They dominated us completely. They defended our smashes well and
I feel I tried to hurry things up. I should have slowed down and
played long rallies. I lost my patience,” Jwala said.
Meanwhile, after crashing out of the tournament, Lee Chong wei
said he had no clue what went wrong in his game.
"I just couldn't play well today. I had pulled things back in
the second game but I
don't know what happened in the second game," Lee said.
"Sony is no ordinary player, he has beaten me before and he raised his
bar today. I wasn't under any pressure nor I had any problem with the
conditions," he added.
Sony, on the other hand, said he kept attacking and played a brave match
against his rival which paid dividends at the end.
"I have beaten this guy before. I didn't worry before the match. In the
first game, I played a brave match. My stretegy was to attack. I knew that if
I slowed down the game, Lee would beat me. I played smart whenever I got a
chance I attack.
"In the second game, I was mentally down and that's why i lost. I guess
my biggest opponent is me myself," he said.
In the women’s singles, Xingfang felt it was patience and
keeping her cool in crucial moments was the key of her success.
"It was a very close match even though the scoreline might suggest
otherwise. I was more patient then Zhou especially in the second game when we
both were 18-all, I held my nerves and didn't commit any mistake," Xingfang
said.
World number eight Hongyan was also very happy to reach her
maiden world championship quarters and said it was her lucky place.
“I can’t explain how happy I am today,” she said.
“I guess this place is lucky for me,” said Hongyan, won the
Indian Open in March here.
“I was confident but she played really well and kept a high
tempo. I had to be more tactical as she was changing her game too
often. She started off well but I kept teklling myself that I have to
belief in myself. It was a high pressure game,” she said.
But the World number eight said she was not expecting Juliane in
the quarters.
“I was not expecting her but after she won yesterday I had to
change my mind and my game plan,” she said. PTI ATK

Bitter-sweet feeling for Jorgensen

Hyderabad, Aug 14 (PTI) A controversial call by the line umpire saw Dane shuttler Jon O Jorgensen resign in despair as he saw the match slip out of his fingers against Indonesian Taufik Hidayat and the world number 20 says it has left him with a bitter-sweet feeling.
Leading at 20-19 in the second game, Taufik smashed a Jorgensen regulation stroke which according to the Dane had landed outside the line but the line umpire decided against him.
"I saw the shuttle drop outside but the line umpire felt it was inside. I spoke to the chair umpire after the match. I guess, this is something which I can't help. If I would have got the point, may be things could have been different," Jorgensen said.
"It is a better sweat feeling for me because I know I had my chances but I tried my best. He is more experienced and played some great shots. I managed to give him a good fight but surely he was the better one," he added.
The duo, however, didn't make any fuss of it and embraced each other smiling at the confusion, showing tremendous sportsmanship.
Asked about the incident, Taufik said, "Well, I said sorry to him because it wasn't in my hand. If the umpire says its outside I am ready to play but since he judged it was inside, I win."
Jorgensen said he was satisfied with his performance.
"I am satisfied with my game. I was aware with his skills. I have played against him before. In the Japan Open last year, I lost to him.," he said.
Taufik said it was a difficult game but he was always confident of his skills.
"It was a hard game. I was confident event though I was lagging behind 15-19 in the first game but I had things under control. I knew I can win from here and I just need to keep my cool," he said.
"I have always said that I was lucky to be in the second half where it is a little bit easy as I don't need to play Lee CHong Wei or Lin Dan but the guy really played well," he added. PTI ATK

Top seeds Lee Chong Wei and Zhou Mi crash out

Hyderabad, Aug 14 (PTI) In a day marked by a series upsets, top seeds
Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and Zhou Mi of Hong Kong crashed out of the world
badminton championship after suffering contrasting defeats in the men's and
women's singles event here today.
World number one Lee failed to live upto the expectation as Indonesian
Sony Dwi Kuncoro produced the biggest upset of the tournament, dispatching
the Malaysian 21-16 14-21 21-12 in an hour hard-fought battle.
"I just couldn't play well today. I had pulled things back in the second game but I don't know what happened in the second game," Lee said.
"Sony is no ordinary player, he has beaten me before and he raised his bar today. I wasn't under any pressure nor I had any problem with the conditions," he added.
Sony, on the other hand, said he kept attacking and played a brave match
against his rival which paid dividends at the end.
"I have beaten this guy before. I didn't worry before the match. In the first game, I played a brave match. My stretegy was to attack. I knew that if I slowed down the game, Lee would beat me. I played smart whenever I got a chance I attack.
"In the second game, I was mentally down and that's why i lost. I guess
my biggest opponent is me myself," he said.
While, Sony scripted Lee's downfall, in the women's singles Chinese
Xingfang Xie proved too could for the world number one Zhou. She beat her 21
-15 21-18 in a match that lasted for 47 minutes.
"It was a very close match even though the scoreline might suggest
otherwise. I was more patient then Zhou especially in the second game when we
both were 18-all, I held my nerves and didn't commit any mistake," Xingfang
said after the match. PTI ATK

Malaysian coach stable, test report expected on Thursday: BWF

HYDERABAD: A day after swine flu scare has hit the on-going World badminton Championship here, the game's apex body (BWF) on Wednesday said the
Malaysian coach, who was admitted in a hospital with suspected H1N1 symptoms, was in a stable condition and his test results are expected on Thursday.

"The coach is in a better condition now and he had no fever for the last 36 hours, which is a good indication as it suggests that he doesn't have the H1N1 virus," BWF chief operating officer Thomas Lund said.

"The coaches who were in close contact with the victim also doesn't have any symptoms," he said.

A swine flu scare has rocked the World championship on Tuesday after a Malaysian coach, whose name was not disclosed on request, was admitted to a city hospital with symptoms of the deadly disease.

The news spread like a wild fire and by the time the day was over there were rumours of similar cases emerging, the most potent of which was of a Thailand player visiting the hospital with fever.

Consultant and Head of the Department of Emergency Medicine, Apollo Hospital Dr Mahesh Joshi dismissed the reports.

"No player, coach or any official has any symptoms of swine flu and neither anyone has been sent to the hospital," Dr Joshi said.

"However, we are not lowering our guard and keeping up the medical screening and taking all precautions."

Ticket sales increase at BWC with Saina in action

Hyderabad, Aug 12 (PTI) After two days of lukewarm response, spectators today turned out in large numbers at the World Badminton Championship as Indian ace Saina Nehwal was in action for the first time in the event at the Gachibowli stadium here. With daily tickets priced at lower then the seasoned ones, people made a beeline to the only ticket counter outside Gate two of the stadium.

"After two days of slow response, today we sold more than 300 tickets," said K Mohan Menon, an official of ticket counter.com, which is handling the sale of tickets here.

However, this was not the case on the last two days as the authorities found it difficult to sell tickets. BAI president V K Verma feels the stadium''s distance from the main city and negative media reports about terror and swine flu was the reason of the low turn out.

"I know the response was low for the last two days and I feel there are two reasons. One, the distance of the venue and the other negative media reports in the wake of false terror and swine flu scare," Verma said.

"I hope with Saina playing well, people will turn up more in the next days," he added. Before the tournament the seasoned tickets via online booking were priced Rs 9,500 (Gold Class), Rs 6,000 (Silver) and Rs 4,800 (Bronze), which were later changed to just Rs 3,500 (Deluxe Class) and Rs 2,500 (Standard).

Saina, Chetan advance to prequarters in WBC

Hyderabad: Ace shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Chetan Anand notched up easy wins but wild card entrant P Kashyap fell by the wayside as India rounded off a mixed day at the World Badminton Championships at Gachibowli stadium here today.


Sixth seed Saina didn't show any sign of fatigue after recovering from a recent bout of chicken pox and outplayed Russian Anastasia Prokopenko 21-10 21-17 in just 27 minutes to advance to the pre quarterfinals.

She will next face Bulgarian Petya Nedelcheva, who beat Singapore's Aiying Xing 26-24 19-21 21-6.

In men's singles, 15th seed Chetan steamrolled Bulgarian Stilian Makarski 21-9 21-17 in a 28-minute match to set up a third round clash with sixth seed Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia tomorrow. Sony beat Poland's Przemyslaw Wacha 21-12 21-13.

Kashyap created a flutter by winning the first game against World number two Jin Chen but the Indian was outdone by the Chinese laster on and went down 21-14 10-21 7-21 in a 53-minute encounter.

In the men's doubles event, the Indian pair of Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal also squandered a game's lead to go down 21-17 13-21 18-21 against 16th seed Vitalij Durkin and Alexandr Nikolaenko of Russia in 40 minutes.

Women's doubles combo of Aparna Balan and Shruti Kurian were shown the door by the second seeded Chinese pair of Shu Cheng and Yunlei Zhao 21-16 21-16 in an half an hour battle.

Among others in fray, top seed Mi Zhou of Hong Kong beat Kiwi Michelle Chan Ky 21-11 21-15, while men's number one seed Chong Wei Lee of Malaysia beat Ola Fagbemi of Nigeria 21-11 21-14.

Mercurial world number four Taufik Hidayat defeated Mathieu Lo Ying Ping 21-17 21-15 in the men's singles. Third seed Dane Peter Hoeg Gade also reached the third round beating Japanese Sho Sasaki 21-11 21-12 in another match.

Sixth seed Saina, who got a bye in the first round, started her campaign aggressively and opened up a lead of 12-8. She then smashed her way to pocket the first game.

However, in the next game, she had to struggle as a change in court made her vulnerable to the slow drift.

In a battle of nerves, the two rivals went neck and neck from 5-5 to 14-14 but after the fierce see-saw battle, it was the Hyderabadi who had the last laugh.

"In the first game, the drift was fast so I played a more attacking game and involved in more smashes. She couldn't pick up those but in the same game I was on the other side, so knowing the wind I involved in some long rallies," Saina told reporters.

"I have played her for the first time but yesterday I saw her play. She has some good drives. I was confident of myself and I am happy that I started my tournament on the right note," she added.

Bring on the Pressure: Jwala

HYDERABAD: The higher the pressure, the better player she is, feels Jwala Gutta. The mixed doubles player says she actually commits lesser mistakes
when she is under pressure.

"I don't feel pressure. I have always played under pressure because I have always played for my team in doubles and mixed doubles and it was always like if the doubles pair win then the team wins.

"And love playing under pressure because it makes me more alert and focused. Somehow I always make very few mistake when I am under pressure," Jwala says.

One of India's medal prospect at the World Badminton championhips, the Jwala and V Diju pair has got a bye in the first round and a walkover in the second round, which means they start their tournament on Thursday in the pre-quarters and the seven-time National Doubles Champion says she just can't wait to get on the court.

"I just can't get wait anymore. I'm losing the feeling it seems," she says.

"But it would be tough match. They are the 12th seed. We played this polish pair before, may be four years ago, well a lot has changed in this years, isn't it?" she quips.

World number eight Jwala-Diju will take on Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Kostiuczyk in the third round on Thursday and the Hyderabadi shuttler says she has worked a lot on her game in the run up to the tournament.

"My back hand side I think I am slower, I was working on it and I have improved and my defense," she says.

Asked about her chemistry with Diju, Jwala says it is the great level of communication and faith on each other which gets reflected on the court.

"Off the court we are good friends. I listen to him, he even shouts at me on the court and I know that he tells me for my own good and for our game and I tell him and he listen so I have this brilliant communication which is so important," says the Indian Open finalist.

"Even if I fall in the court, I know he would be there covering me so we have this confidence on each other."

But ask her who is the prankster of the two, Jwala keeps the rights for herself. "Of course, I am the mischievous of the two. I am the more outspoken. I keep cracking jokes a lot," she says.

The duo won the Bitburger Open and the Bulgarian open last year.

Asked about her women's doubles partner Ashwini Poppanna, Jwala says she is a good attacking player and we are gelling up well.

"We played some super series. She is a junior player and she listens what I say as I have more experience. She hits really hard. We are gelling very well," she concludes.

Coach suspected with H1N1 infection quarantined: BWF

Hyderabad: The Badminton World Federation today admitted that a Malaysian coach with suspected symptoms of H1N1 virus was quarantined but said initial examination ruled out swine flu and a confirmed report would be available within the next two days.


The governing body was tight-lipped about the identity of the victim but disclosed he has been put under strict surveillance in Andhra Pradesh Chest Hospital here.

"The coach has reported fever and sore throat and so as a precautionary measure he was sent to a city hospital and initial investigation suggested there is no connection with the H1N1 virus," BWF COO Thomas Lund told reporters here.

"He is fine and doesn't have fever now. He has improved but we don't want to take chances and so he has been kept under examination and a confirmed report will come out within 48 hours," Lund said.

Asked about the identity of the coach, Lund said "because it's not proved yet, we would not like to mention his name as it can affect the victim's family".

Malaysia have arrived with separate coaches for singles and doubles team.

Consultant and Head of Department of Emergency Medicine, Apollo hospital Dr Mahesh Joshi said the chance of his contracting H1N1 virus infection is very minimum.

"The degree of suspicion that he has the virus is very low but I feel we should rather completely rule it out than sitting on it and so the coach has been put under survellience," Joshi said.

"To ensure 100 per cent safety of the players and officials, the three coaches who were staying in the same room with the victim were isolated from the rest and were put under examination. Their temperature would be monitored every two hours," he said.

The Gachibowli stadium turned almost into a medical unit with police officials, sponsors and even some journalist wearing masks fearing a possible contact with the virus.

With the matches in full swing, a high turn around of spectators are expected but Thomas said there won't be any screening of the public as of now.

"Spectators won't be screened as of now as it is not confirmed whether it is swine flu or not. Moreover, there is no way the players and officials can be contacted with the general people," Thomas said.

Thomas said there was a team managers' meeting were the various officials of the respective squads were informed of the development and there hasn't been any concern shown by any team.

Badminton Association of India President V K verma also assured that there is adequate arrangement to deal with any medical contingency.

Kashyap keeps India in hunt at World championship

Wildcard entrant P Kashyap notched up an easy win over Iranian Ali Shahhosseini to keep the tri-colour fluttering as India had a mixed day in the World Badminton Championship at the Gachibowli stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Kashyap smashed his way to a 21-9 21-13 win over Ali but it turned out to be a disappointing day for compatriot Arvind Bhat [ Images ].

Bhat played his heart out before going down 14-21 21-19 22-24 to ninth seed Yu Hsing Hsieh of Chinese Taipei in an edge-of-the-seat first round match that lasted more than an hour.

It was also curtains for Sayale Gokhale in women's singles after the Indian lost 15-21 14-21 to Jie Yao of the Netherlands.

India's men's doubles pair of Tarun Kona and Arun Vishnu [ Images ] were also shown the door by 13th seed Chinese Taipei duo of Hung Ling Chen and Yu Lang Lin. The Indians lost 12-21 14-21 in just 21 minutes.

However, Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal had reasons to rejoice after they got a walkover from Thai pair Patipat Chalardchaleam and Nuttaphon Narkthong.

With the English team pulling out, Indian mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Jwala Gutta [ Images ] also got a walkover from Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork and the local favourites would next take on 12th seed Polish pair of Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Kostiuczyk in the third round on Wednesday.

Among the top players in fray, world number four Indonesian Taufik Hidayat steamrolled Swiss Christian Boesiger 21-14 21-14 in 27 minutes, while 12th seed Malaysian Choong Hann Wong spanked Ville Lang of Finland 21-7 21-10 in 28 minutes.

Seven seed Chinese Lan Lu notched up an easy win over Larisa Griga of Ukraine 21-16 21-5 in the women's singles.

However, seventh seed Dane Joachim Persson suffered to a stunning 21-16 14-21 13-21 defeat against Japanese Kenichi Tago in a match that lasted 57 minutes.

Kashyap didn't give an inch away and opened a 10-3 lead to make Ali run all over the court before sealing the game in style.

In the second game, Ali tried to come back and played some good shots but it was the Indian who had the last laugh.

"It was an easy match but I am satisfied with my performance. The drift was faster from the other end but is okay, I will get used to it. It is just a build up the big second round match," said Kashyap, who had a mild cough and cold yesterday.

Earlier in the day, Arvind Bhat showed sparks of brilliance but the Bangalorean lost his gallant fight against ninth seed Yu Hsing Hsieh of Chinese Taipei.

Bhat couldn't negotiate the power-packed smashes of his rival and made some unforced errors to see the first game slip out of his hand.

The Indian, who lost to Hsing twice before, bounced back in the second game and opened up a lead of 5-1 and then extended it to 11-5 but Hsing clawed back at 19-17 before Arvind sealed the game with a cross-court smash at 21-19.

Arvind gave the Taiwanese a dose of his own medicine as he produced some powerful smashes and soft drops to nail his rival.

At 1-1, the third game turned to be a see-saw affair as both the shuttler fought it tooth and nail.

Hsing drew first blood and Arvind was left to do the catch up act but the Bangalorean bounced back from 17-20, saving three match points and leveled at 20-20 and moved 21-21, 22-22 before another unforced error put paid to hopes.

"I deserved to win today but I didn't. He has some fast smashes up his sleeve but he is beatable," Bhat later said.

"I committed some unforced errors. It happened all through out my career but I'll bounce back," he said.

"The other side of the court was playing well and I wanted to get at least 8-11 in the last game before changing side. I played well but may be at the last end, I played safe and also had no luck. I should have tightened my defense," he added.

Players worried but not panicking after swine flu scare

HYDERABAD: The anxiety shows but the players and officials at the World Badminton Championship have not pressed the panic button yet after a
Malaysian coach was diagnosed with suspected symptoms of swine flu.

World number four Indonesian Taufik Hidayat looked worried after what he saw on television and said he was apprehensive.

"It is scary. I have seen all that on TV that the Malaysian coach has been admitted with suspected swine flu," said the Indonesian shuttler.

World number three Dane Peter Gade, however, looked unperturbed and said it was not an India-specific issue.

"It is a worldwide things. I can happen anywhere. It has nothing to do specifically with India. We travel a lot and we know what precaution to take and we have been informed about it," he said.

Norwegian shuttler Steinar Klausen was not unduly worried either.

"We keep on travelling a lot and even at the airport we were told about it, so we are aware about it," he said.

Lithuania coach Juozas Spelveris echoed a similar view and said it would be premature to panic.

"We have been treated well by India so far. I don't have any concern. This is not a confirmed case and so there is no need to panic about anything," he said.

The participants, however, are not taking chance and most were seen wearing white-green masks.

As players started pouring in for their respective matches, they passed through metal detectors which were guarded by officials wearing masks for the first time in the tournament.

Sponsors, officials and even many camerapersons could be spotted with the masks.

One of the Indonesian shuttler also had her mask on. "It is important to take precautions in such times. Prevention is always better than cure," she said.

Taufik wants title as his birthday gift

Hyderabad, Aug 11 (PTI) Taufik Hidayat rates Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan as the top contenders but the Indonesian wants to win the ongoing World Badminton Championship to give himself a perfect birthday gift. The 2005 world championship said he was bored with the Championship since it became an annual event Taufik, who turned 28 yesterday, said winning the title this time is his birthday wish.

"Lee and Dan are the two best players and they would be the top contenders for the title but I would like to win it too. It''s my birthday wish," he said.

"But I am bored by it as it happens every year. It is just like a Super Series," he added.

The 2004 Olympic champion said he was happy that he is in the second half of the draw. "I''m happy with the draw.

I feel I am lucky to be in the second half which is relatively easier," he said. The Indian Open champion said he played with a relaxed mind today and tried to get used to the court.

"I was quite relaxed today. I don''t know what would happen tomorrow.

It was the first round and I tried to acclimatised to the conditions here," he said. Asked about drift, Taufik said, "In the central court where I played it was okay but I don''t know about the rest of the courts.

Saina Nehwal to promote Deccan Chargers

Hyderabad: Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal will promote Indian Premier League side Deccan Chargers after she was on Saturday made brand ambassador of the media group which owns the team.

The 20-year-old Hyderabadi signed a three-year deal with Deccan Chronicle at a glittering function here.

"After cricket it is badminton that has landed such a big brand and It is a dream from me. It gives me a lot of encouragement and motivates me further to go and try to win the World Championship for my country," Saina said after signing the contract.

Asked what she thought of a badminton star endorsing cricket for the first time, Saina said, "It is good for the game. It shows that finally badminton has come of age and we are being recognised for our efforts."

"A lot of time many players go through financial crisis and if efforts like this are made, I feel more players can play freely and be motivated to play better," she added.

Saina said although she doesn't follow cricket much but Sachin Tendulkar remains her favourite and among the Deccan Chargers, it is captain of the side Adam Gilchrist.

Saina's coach Pullela Gopichand, who was also present on the occasion, said it was a good development for Indian badminton.

"We have a long association with Deccan chargers and so when this proposal came across, we thought it was a great opportunity for Saina. She has a busy schedule so maybe she won't be able to be there all the time but when she has time, she will promote the team," Gopichand said.

Deccan Chronicle also ventured into sports personality management by signing Saina.

Saina was also handed the first premier membership card for the Deccan Chargers, which was announced here.

..................................................................
Rupesh-Sanave look to WBC to compensate for Olympic miss



Hyderabad: They missed out of the chance to compete in Beijing Olympics and Indian men’s doubles pair of Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas say they want to compensate for it by doing well in the the World Championships and winning a medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Winner of New Zealand Open Grand Prix and runners-up at Australian Open, Rupesh and Thomas are brimming with confidence and they reckon if they play to their potential and without any pressure they can do well in the Championships.

“The recent results gave us lot of confidence. We played a Malaysian and an Indonesian pair and I hope our good form continues into the world championship. We have a tough draw, as we have to take on world number 12 Japanese pair in our first match,” Thomas told reporters.

“We missed out of a chance to play in Beijing Olympics as we couldn’t improve our ranking as we were not participating in enough tournaments then unlike now. But we have 2010 Commonwealth Games and our aim is to win a medal there.”


“Earlier, there was not enough exposure for the doubles team but things have changed now. There has been more exposure now even junior players are also being sent for tournaments outside with the 2010 Commonwealth Games round the corner. We have now specialised Indonesian coaches,” he added.

The top seeds in men’s doubles, Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan, of Indonesia had withdrawn from the Championships, which might seem to make things easier but that doesn’t bother Thomas.

“Even though the top players pulled out, it doesn’t matter because all are playing very good and to reach pre-quarters we have to first beat the Japanese pair and then the Koreans to whom we had lost earlier,” he said.

“Even against the top seeds we were confident as we have met them twice in Doha Asian Games and lost very close games.”

Sanave-Rupesh combine had a successful 2008, with a title win at the Czech International, a final at the Dutch Open, and a semifinal at the Bulgarian Grand Prix and they don’t want to buckle under pressure here.

“We are playing in India. There would be pressure because there would be people, media, all behind us but if we play with confidence and without tension we can fair well,” Thomas said.

He said the decision to participate in New Zealand and Australian Open just before the World Championships was their own and it really paid off.

Arch-rivals Lee, Lin likely to meet in semifinals

Hyderabad: One of the most famous rivalries in badminton between top seed Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and fifth ranked Chinese Lin Dan might be reignited once again, as the two are likely to lock horns in the semifinal of the World Championship here.

Lee will kick off his title campaign against German Dieter Domke, while the Lin will clash with Isreali Misha Zilberman today.

"Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei are the two best players in the world. It is a special treat to watch both of them fight. If they meet in this tournament and Lin doesn't play true to his potential then Lee will have a chance," Chinese Coach Li Younbo said.


Lee and Lin always had a tough time getting across each other. The two clashed recently in the Swiss Open and Sudhirman Cup with each winning one.

"We have played in the Swiss Open and Sudhirman Cup and it is like 50-50. I am mentally prepared about meeting him," says Lee, who won the Malaysian Super Series and Indonesian Super Series titles recently.

"But he is a good fighter," he adds.

Lee won the Swiss Open in Basel defeating Lin in straight sets early this year and in May, although Lee helped Malaysia reach the semi-finals of the Sudirman Cup, his unbeaten record in the tournament was blown away by Lin.

Such is the frenzy among people here that they don't want to spare a chance to see these both the titans clash.

A group of Chinese students studying in Osmania University is waiting anxiously to have a glimpse of their favourite star Lin.

"We want to see Lin play. He is our hero," says Li Mao, who studies BCA here.

Players like Saina can break Chinese stranglehold: Peter Gade

World number three Peter Gade considers Indian ace Saina Nehwal as one of the most talented shuttlers around and believes badminton needs players like her to break the Chinese stranglehold.

"Saina has a good game. She is immensely talented, may be better than some of the Chinese shuttlers and my advice to her would be to just stay away from any injury and keep up the good work," he said.

"We need more and more young players like Saina to come up so that we can break the Chinese stranglehold," he added. Talking about men's event in the ongoing World Championship, Gade considers Lin Dan of China as his toughest opponent but reckons he can beat him on his day.

"Dan is the toughest opponent. Both Lee Chong Wei and he are the best players at the moment but I feel I can beat Dan on my given day. I have defeated Lee in Korea Open and so there is no reason why I cannot beat Dan," he said.

Gade also said although he didn't mind having the world championship annually, it should have been a biennial even considering the tight schedule.

"It is a tough schedule and I feel the BWF (Badminton World Federation) could have considered doing it biennially. But it is still important, it is still the most important medal after the Olympics for any player," Gade said.

Asked if there is any security concern after England pulled out of the tournament because of the terror threat, Gade said, "Risk can be anywhere in the world and it is a shame that England had to go back home. Honestly speaking, newspaper reports did made some players worried but I am confident with the way India has ensured our safety."

Gade gave a glimpse of his form today as he took less than half an hour to beat Valeriy Atrashchenkov of Ukraine 21-11, 21-16.

"I had a good match. There was drift in the air but its okay. I am happy with the conditions and lighting arrangement but I had didn't have the best feeling about the back court. I hope next time it would be fine," said Gade, who has 16 Grand Prix titles under his belt.

Chinese coach praises Saina

Hyderabad: Saina Nehwal's meteoric rise has found her a new admirer in Chinese Coach Li Yongbo, who feels the Indian badminton ace is following on the footsteps of the legendary Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand.

"Saina has kept the Indian tradition alive of coming up with such wonderful players like Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand," Yongbo said.

"I have seen Saina play for the last two-three years and she is a very gifted player. She has won the Indonesian Open and I am sure she will do well in the World Championship," he added.


In his playing days, Yongbo -- partnering Tian Bingyi -- captured the World Championships in 1987 and 1989, which was then a biennial event.

Now a head coach, Yongbo felt the World Championship should have remained a biennial event as making it annual has reduced its relevance.

"WBC is now an annual event, it is not like Olympics or Asian Games which comes after a gap of four years. So, it is losing its importance. It has become like a super series. If it happens quadrennially the motivation is greater," said the Barcelona Olympics bronze medallist in men's doubles.

The tournament started in 1977 and was held once every three years until 1983. Starting 1985, the tournament became biennial until 2005. From 2006, the tournament was made an annual event on the BWF calendar.

Asked about China's prospect in the world championship, Yongbo said, "China has a proven record and so everybody expects the country to win but for that the youngsters and seniors have to play to their potential."

English pullout unfortunate, no threat to World C'ship: BWF

Amit Kumar Das

Hyderabad, Aug 9 Describing England's last-minute pullout from the World Badminton Championship as unfortunate, Badminton World Federation today insisted that there is no specific threat to the mega-event starting here tomorrow.

BWF Chief Operating Officer (COO) Thomas Lund said he tried convincing the English team about the security situation but it had already decided to pull out by then.

"There is no specific threat to championship from anywhere. But of course the English team felt otherwise. It is unfortunate but we should respect their decision," Lund told reporters here.

"We had a discussion about the news but we didn't get the chance to discuss and convince them about the development because by the time we reached them, they had already decided to withdraw," he revealed.

England today pulled out of the event, citing specific security threats from terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba.

World title is the main target: Lee

Amit Kumar Das

Hyderabad, Aug 9 (PTI) He tops the rankings but a world Championship title still eludes Malaysian shuttler Lee Chong Wei, who is hoping to break the jinx this time by not letting the pressure bog him down.

The top seed said not winning the World Championship till now still hurts him.

"It would be the main target this year but I don't want to think about that and put pressure on myself," Lee said when asked if missing the world championship still hurts.

"I am just concentrating on myself. My game has been good so far, the form is also fine now," said the Beijing Olympics silver medallist.

Lee, who won the Malaysian Super Series and Indonesian Super Series titles recently, said he doesn't want to look too far and take the tournament round by round.

"I can try my best.

Players, coaches satisfied with security measures

Hyderabad, Aug 10 (PTI) A day after England pulled out of the World Badminton Championships, foreign players and coaches said they were satisfied with the security arrangements for the elite event here and happy with the level of safety. World number three Dane Peter Gade said although he was confident of the BWF''s security arrangements it was a shame that the England team had to go home in this way.

"Risk can be anywhere in the world but it is a shame that England had to go back home. But honestly speaking the newspaper report did made some players worried but I am confident with the way India has ensured our safety," Gade said.

Malaysian coach Misbun Sidek also echoed similar views. "Security is not a problem at all.

There is large number of security presence and we do not have any issues," he said. "India has done whatever they could have done and we are satisfied with the arrangements.

We just want to concentrate on the matches now," said Lee Chong Wei, when asked about his view. His fierce rival Chinese Lin Dan also felt the same and said, "Since India has granted our safety, we have no concern.

We have full faith on BWF." However, when Dicky Palyama was asked about his views, the Dutch replied in a rather diplomatic way. "Well, I am not scared I can handle it but if the coach decides to go home, I don''t mind," he quipped.

world badminton championship

HYDERABAD: Siblings and couples teaming up is not new in racquet sports but in a unique case, an Israeli shuttler has combined with her teenaged son for the mixed doubles event of the World Badminton Championships which started on Monday.

Svetlana Zilberman (45) and her 19-year-old son Misha says they are five-time national champions and are perfect partners for each other despite the huge age difference.

"We have been playing together for the last five years and we have won the national championship in our country five times," says Svetlana.

"This is for the first time we are participating in the World Championship and we hope to do well," she added.

Misha says having his mother has been doing a twin job as she is also his coach.

"We are a great combination. I am very comfortable with her around because even if she doesn't say anything, I can understand what she means. We have this great connection," Misha says.

"She is also my coach. So when she is not playing, she is actually teaching me," he added.

Misha will take on World number five and defending champion Lin Dan of China in his singles opener.

Misha says he can't recall when he started playing with his mother as he has never had any other partner except for her.

"I think, I have been playing with her since I was born and don't know exactly when was the first time we played together," Misha joked.

"She has been playing the game since she was 12," he added.

Himself a five time national champion and the only professional player in the country, Misha says it hasn't been easy to pursue the sport.

"There are not enough sponsors and the game is not that big back home. We have to spend from our own pocket. Even to participate in this tournament we had to shell out $3000," he says.

"There are not many clubs in Israel and there aren't many practice facilities there," added Svetlana.

The Zilbermans were supposed to face 11th seeds Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg of England in the first round but with the country pulling out due to security concerns, they have got a walkover.

They will take on the winners of the match between the Indian pair of Arun Vishnu and Aparna Balan and Japanese combo of Noriyasu Hirata and Shizuka Matsuo on Tuesday.

Asked how long he would continue playing with his mom, Misha quipped, "As long as I don't find someone younger."