CHINA BANKING ON SUPER SIX ON TO REGAIN WOMEN’S CROWN
Posted by valsus on February 17, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, Star Online, China look like they will be going for broke in the women’s singles event of the All-England badminton championships, which will be held in Birmingham from March 3-8.
They have not one, not two, but six talented players in their line-up as they seek to regain the title after letting it slip out of their clutches last year.
Last year, Denmark’s Tine Rasmussen ended China’s five-year winning streak by emerging as the champion.
China will be represented by Lu Lan (world No. 3), Xie Xingfang (No. 6), Zhu Lin (No. 7), Wang Lin (No. 8), Wang Yihan (No. 16) and Jiang Yanjiao (No. 22).
National coach Teh Seu Bock said it would be a battlefield right from the start for the other teams against the players from China in the All-England.
Seu Bock trains the women’s singles players, including world No. 16 Julia Wong and No. 35 Lydia Cheah. Both players will feature in the All-England.
“China have listed all their players. This really shows their seriousness to regain the All-England title. In fact, almost all the top 20 players will be taking part,” said Seu Bock.
“Julia and Lydia will not find the going easy for them. It will be an achievement if they can topple one or two of them. Hopefully, the draw will be kind to us.”
On the preparation of Julia and Lydia, he said: “They have been shaping up well. We just hope that injuries will not derail their chances of making the trip.”
Besides China, the other threat will come from China-born shuttlers who are playing for other countries like Xu Huaiwen (Ger), Yao Jie (Ned) and Xing Aiying (Sin).
