In the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Championship 2013, seven pairs or individual players from China reached the finals and it is now certain that China will take first or second in the women’s singles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles and the men’s singles. In the men’s doubles final, the ROK’s Ko Sung Hyun/ Lee Yong Dae and Kim Ki Jung/ Kim Sa Rang will compete for the title. 

 

Lee Yong Dae

 

In the semi-final of the men’s doubles, No.1 seeds  Ko Sung Hyun/ Lee Yong Dae proved unstoppable despite a brave effort from Malaysia’s GOH V Shem/ LIM Khim Wah. Their compatriots Kim Ki Jung/ Kim Sa Rang sent No. 2 seeds, Hiroyuki ENDO/Kenichi HAYAKAWA, packing to set the stage for an all ROK final, a result sure to please the ROK team coach. 

 

China’s women’s singles player Li Xue Rui and Wang Yi Han, women’s doubles pairs Yu Yang/ Wang Xiao Li and Ma Jin/ Tang Jin Hua, men’s singles player Chen Long, and mixed doubles pair Zhang nan/ Zhao Yun Lei all beat good players from various countries to reach the finals. In the only match in which players from China faced each other, men’s singles player Wang Zheng Ming, who proceeded directly to the semifinal after Lin Dan pulled out of their quarter-final match with injury, was up against teammate Du Peng Yu . To the surprise of many, Wang also withdrew from the match due to injury in the second game.    

 

Li Xue Rui took the title at the Badminton Asia Championship in 2010 and 2012 and has her sights set on repeating the feat, however her opponent in the semi-final, Japan’s Takahashi Sayaka, put up a fierce fight; although Li eventually overcome her opponent she appeared to be limping when she left the court and was immediately given treatment by the team trainer. If she is hampered by injury she will have an uphill struggle against teammate Wang Yi Han, also one of the world’s top women’s singles players, in the final. 

 

Ko Sung Hyun/ Kim Ha Na

 

Although the championship is being held in Taipei Dome this year no Chinese Taipei players made it to the semifinal stage, which is a pity. China is guaranteed first or second in four out of the five finals. In the last final, the mixed doubles, the ROK’s Ko Sung Hyun/Kim Ha Ha will face London Olympic champions Zhang Nan/ Zhao Yun Lei 

 

After excelling in men’s doubles and women’s doubles pairs play, the ROK’s Ko Hyun Sung and Kim Ha Na are making a formidable mixed doubles pair; but will they be able to overcome world No. 1 pair Zhang Nan/Zhao Yun Lei? For the latest tournament information keep an eye on VICTOR’s official website at www.victorsport.com

 

( Edit by VICTOR Badminton )