Match Report – Tine Rasmussen vs. Adriyanti Firdasari

Reigning Japan Open champion takes on Indonesian number 2 player Firdasari.

Both players opened cautiously, with a cat and mouse game right till 5-5. However, Firdasari then proceeded to take 4 straight points and up her game to take the mid game interval lead by 7-11. Firdasari then slowed down, allowing Rasmussen to play another phase of cat and moue games, where the scores were 14-10 in favour of Firdasari. Rasmussen showed her experience by leveling the scores 15-15. Tine then upped her pace to take a 19-16 lead, and traded point to arrive at matchpoint, which she took at the first opportunity, after mounting a comeback from being down in the first half of the game.

The second game began with Firdasari surging o a 4-1 lead. Rasmussen then proceeded to whittle away this 3 point lead by playing a patient game and leveling the game at 7 all. Phase 3 of the cat and mouse game then ensued, with both players wanting the mid game advantage at 10-10. Rasmussen duly took it after a prolonged rally. The second half of the second game was again a close game, with each player desperate to snatch this crucial game. Firdasari managed to level it at 12-12, 13-13, 14-14, 15-15, and 17-17. Tine then stood up and came within 2 points of winning at 19-17, but allowed Firdasari to salvage a point to make it 19-18. However, Tine got match point at 20-18, and dully took and match at 21-18. Kudos to both players for a great match.

Catch the French Open results here:

Badminton Loonsport – First Round MS Results

French Open Day 1 – Taufik Hidayat vs. Andrew Dabeka

On paper, Taufik appeared to be the clear cut favorite for the match. We’ll see how top Canadian shuttler fares against Olympic and World Champion.

After a jittery start, Taufik showed signs of pulling away after 5-5 to lead 10-6. However, the tricky Dabeka came back to level the match at 10-10. However, Taufik took a one point advantage into the first game interval, and went on to take 6 straight points to lead 16-10. Dabeka tried to mount a comeback at this stage, but eventually succumbed to the pressure and lost 21-17 to Hidayat.

After the expected defeat in the second match, Dabeka’s confidence was again shattered when Taufik took a 3-0 lead. However, Dabeka then upped his game to take a 7-4 lead against the Indonesian badminton ace. They then proceeded to play a cat and mouse game, which suited Dabeka’s lead. However, you would be foolish if you ever dare play cat and mouse with the great Hidayat. When he is playing cat and mouse, you are allowing him to recuperate, and anything else but a gigantic margin will be chased down by Hidayat once he has recovered enough. However, Dabeka did not allow Taufik to settle in, and proceeded to threaten to produce the biggest upset of the day by charging all the way to the 21 point mark to lead 19-9. A late rally by Taufik to attempt to finish off the match didn’t work, with Dabeka closing the game at 21-13. Taufik was in trouble – his records in third sets aren’t particularly rosy.

Both men started cautiously in the second set, but Dabeka managed to whittle out at 6-2 lead. Just when you thought that Hidayat was running out of steam, he showed his prowess by leveling the match at 8-8. Taufik then managed to take a slim 1 point advantage going into the second interval, which was demolished by Dabeka. Dabeka then went on to take a 17-13 lead, and all seemed lost. However, Taufik defied his 3rd game jinx and pulled himself into striking distance at 17-18, which he leveled after a dramatic rally to 18-18. Taufik then proceeded to take a 1 point advantage at 19-18, with many fan’s hearts pounding by just looking at the livescore. Dabeka leveled at 19 all, but all was in vain as Hidayat eventually won 21-19.

Taufik has to improve on his consistency; his three set win, although a thriller, demonstrated his need to stabilize his performance.

For full results of the French Open refer here:

Badminton Loonsport – Men’s Singles Day 1

Match report – Yeoh Kay Bin vs. Wacha Przemyslaw

Hopes were on Yeoh to compensate for Wong’s shock exit in the hands of Park Sung Hwan.

After a confident start by Wacha, where he led 3-0, Yeoh fought back and took a temporary lead at 6-5. However, this is as far as he went, as Przemyslaw went on to take the match 21-11, conceding only 5 more points as he totally dominated Yeoh. He was superior in every aspect, smash winners, net winners, and less mistakes, and Yeoh looked to be swept away by this rising European star.

Yeoh unexpectedly started strongly, taking a 3-1 lead. However, he then proceeded to concede 5 straight points to trail 8-3 miserably. However, another unexpected twist of evens then occurred: when all seemed lost, Yeoh proceeded to level the game at 8-8. Yeoh and Wacha then played a close game, where no player went in front by more than a point. At this stage, Malaysians were praying for the best from this lanky Malaysian shuttler. And indeed, he responded by scoring 4 straight points to take a slim lead 16-13. Just when you thought the topsy-turvy game couldn’t get anymore exciting, Wacha rallied from behind to level the match 16-16. Another cat and mouse game proceeded, but Wacha eventually managed to hold match point at 20-18. Tense moments then ensued, with Yeoh saving both the match points to make it 21-20. Wacha then managed to save another match point to get one of his own, which was saved by Yeoh. Even tenser moments ensued when Wacha got a 5th match point, which was again saved. When Wacha got a seventh match point, everyone thought that Yeoh couldn’t respond, as Malaysian are known to be mentally weak, but indeed did he respond – by leveling it at a remarkable scoreline of 25 all. An eight match point was then held, which finally allowed Wacha to close out this incredible match 21-11 27-25.

Kudos for both players for playing a great game

For full results of the French Open refer here:

Badminton Loonsport