Boonsak Proves China Doesn’t Win Them All

Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana has won the 2007 Singapore Open. That wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I know Boonsak is a respectable player, but I really did not think he would win. His quarter-final win over Lin Dan was extremely clutch, winning 21-17, 7-21, 23-21. From there it was smooth sailing as he knocked off hometown favourite Ronald Susilo and then Chen Yu in the final, both matches were not particularly close either. I had predicted a Gade vs Lin Dan final, but both players failed me. Gade lost yet again to Chen Yu, as he did in Denmark earlier this year. I get the feeling like Gade is getting to a point in his career where he needs to really start picking his tournaments, much like Taufik. He doesn’t have that same ability he used to, where he could play at his best all year round. Although, with the new Super Series structure I’m not sure even Lin Dan can do that anymore.

Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng won the men’s doubles. The real big disappointment to me was Gunawan and Wijaya losing to them in the semi-finals. China really isn’t that strong in the doubles usuallly, but they have a pair that can really do damage again. It’s been a while since they had this, and I don’t see their second string doubles players filling in the void either, so they had better enjoy it while it lasts.

As for the women’s doubles and singles, I couldn’t be more bored by the constant domination by China. I have a load of respect for their team, not so much for the rest of the world though. It’s like having a whole team of Williams sisters just kicking everyones asses(back when they were good), but not really trying that hard against each other, or defaulting regularly based on what the coach says. Zhang Ning beat Xie Xingfang, and then Zhang Yawen and Wei Yili won the doubles.

The mixed doubles does offer some surprises from time to time, but I don’t really enjoy mixed all that much. Indonesia’s Flandy Limpele and Vita Marissa won that event.

The Indonesia Open is up next, but also this coming week here in Canada we have the U19 and U23 Nationals going on, and there is a good chance we will be down to watch, and might even take our cameras along to catch the finals. We will keep you posted.

Super Series Results Page

2007 Singapore Open Official Website