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Sunday, March 21, 2010

World's fastest smash belongs to Tan Boon Heong


Tan Boon Heong used a Yonex Arcsaber Z-Slash to achieve the record smash.

Certified by Guiness World of Records

Upsets in Swiss Open 2010

The biggest news is the defeat of Lin Dan by Peter Gade.

Peter in turn was defeated by Chen Long.

The MS finals features two Chens, Jin and Long.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Importance of shot selection in Singles

I played a competitive singles game today in a college mini-competition. Was leading 15-11 in the final game, made a string of unforced errors or gave the opponent a lift to his forehandside.

Managed to level the score 20-20, but lost the final game 20-22.

Highlights of the match, managed to hold and flick the opponent when I pretend to drop and then flick to his backhand. Points earned were mostly, clear to backhands which forced errors, 2 smashes and 1 crosscourt smash. 3 points were earned by drive to the body. Another was 2 tumbling netshots.

Unforced error made: whiffed a netkill twice, OMG. Easy points, but failed to convert.

Unforced error made, 3 smash block to the net.

Unforced error made, 3 wide and 3 long clears.

Unforced error made, 4 long service.

Unforced error made, 1 reverse slice hitting the net and 1 crosscourt reverse smash wide of the line.

Unforced error made, whiffed crosscourt net shot.

Opponent's kill, 2 crosscourt smash, 1 netkill and 1 smash down the line.

That's all from memory, forgot to ask my friend to videotape it to learn from mistakes...

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Conclusion of All England 2010

The most anticipated match was Lee Chong Wei's 2nd attempt to win the AE title in the finals.

The fisrt game was tightly contested, with Kenichi Tago racing to the lead. Lee Chong Wei managed to claw back, with the Japanese youngster committing a string of unforced errors which allowed Lee Chong Wei to get the lead.

The 2nd game was similar with the Japanese player stubbornly match Lee Chong Wei point for point. The final point was an out of court shuttle played by Lee Chong Wei who drive shot. The video camera captured the moment.


GIFSoup

The 1st Mixed doubles game was between Indonesia's Nova Widianto/Liliyana Natsir vs Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei, score was 21-18 23-25 21-18. The Indonesians were controlling the games most of the time and was one of the best matches in the All England 2010 after all the matches were played.

In WS, Tine Rasmussen managed to beat Wang Yihan in a rubber game 21-14 18-21 21-19.The game was closely fought as Wang Yihan shown great resiliency to retrieve shuttles from every corner, as Tine controlled the game. 1st game was won by Tine who pushed Wang Yihan left/right and followed by fierce smashing. Wang Yihan countered in the 2nd game to exploit Tine's front/back movement, by clearing and dropping. Tine's mobility was exposed by the frequent clears of Wang Yihan. The rubber game, was won by Tine owing to a more simpler game of smashes and drives which played to Tine's strength.

The WD and MD were internal affairs of China and Denmark respectively. It doesn't have the excitement and charged affair but pleasing for badminton purist to watch as
both went to rubber game.

The MD was won by Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen over Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen 21-23 21-19 26-24.

One of the memory from watching the All England was Rasmussen pulling off this outrageous, between the leg reflex move in the semifinals. Here Rasmussen is defending against a smash at the body by Markis Kido.

GIFSoup

Thursday, March 11, 2010

All England Championship

This week is the 100th Anniverssary of All England championship.

Early casualties this time are: Wang Shixian, KKK/TBH and Chen Long.
Notable casualties include: Jan O Jorgensen.

Yonex has produced a 100th Anniversary Arcsaber, which has similar specs to Arcsaber 7.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Carlton PowerBlade 9909 brief review


Review: Carlton Powerblade 9909

Specs
Weight: 4U (85g)
Grip Size: G5
Flex: Medium+
Strings used: Yonex BG66 @ 24lbs
Grip: TCS grip + Toalson overgrip
Maximum tension: 30lbs
Balance: 285mm +/- 5mm

Technologies: Ti-Wire reinforced frame, Nano resin technology, Ti-Wire Shaft, Superlightweight, isometric headshaped

First impression: The colors are beautiful, the frame is a mixture of silver and royal blue whereas the shaft is grey. The 10 and 2 o'clock of the frame has a golden hologram paint. The stringing pattern is a traditional type with the standard grommet arrangement. The racquet feels rather headlight and has a fast backhand swing and slower forehand swing.

Conclusion: A fast racquet with good control and fast handling suitable for a fast doubles game. The light weight of the racquet helps in handling as well.Not the best smashing racquet but the speed and ease of handling makes it a fast control racquet for doubles.

Pros: Quick, light and maneuverable. Suitable for a fast and long doubles game.
Cons: The feel and the smashes are slightly lower owing to the flexier shaft.

Suitablity: Doubles beginner, intermediate and advanced players.
Player type: control, defensive and all-around players

Brief review
Power: 8/10
Defense: 9/10
Control:7.5/10
Maneuverability: 9/10
feel:7.5/10

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Yonex Arcsaber 8DX review


Yonex Arcsaber 8DX

Review Date : 4th March 2010
Racket Type : Yonex Arcsaber 8DX
Specs : 3UG5
Flex: Extra Stiff
Balance: 285mm (Even Balance)
Strings: Yonex BG66
Tension: 26lbs , 1 Piece Stringing
Grip: Karakal Contact PU grip + Toalson overgrip
Technology : Slim isometric head, CS Carbon Nanotube, Ultra PEF, New T-joint and CS cap

First Impression:
The racquet looks unassuming but have a rather classical hybrid kind of look. The overall color is black with half the frame in white and orange on 8 and 4 o'clock. For the first time I handle it, the racquet feels like an even balance racquet but slightly towards head heavy. Frame shape is isometric, with the stringing pattern of an Arcsaber Z-Slash. The racquet is claimed by Yonex to be able to withstand up to 27lbs. The swing seems comfortable and cuts thru the air similar to Arcsaber 10/7 but not as fast as Arcsaber Z-slash.

Warm Ups:
Clears are excellent, feeling of the shot is solid and input of energy is acceptable. Drops are good as I can feel that the control is there. Smashes are nice and pretty powerful for a even balance racquet. The drives are excellent and flat pushes are fast and accurate. Racquet feels slightly headheavy and the flex is stiff/hard.

Game Time:
This racquet is an all-around racquet. Backhand serves straight to the 'T' is accurate as in sliced flick serve. The shuttle goes in where you want it to be. When driving, the racquet is responsive and maneuvarable. The overhead shots like smashes, drops and clear are above average, similar to arcsaber 10 and 7. For normal standing smashes it is good, but to hit a hard smash, one needs to put body weight into the smash by jumping, as the racquet felt very stiff and hard to flex. The clears are excellent, and especially good for punch clears. The drops are ok, sliced and straight. For defense, I rated it as in the class of Ti-10, fast and responsive.

Conclusion:
An all around racquet, combining excellent control and counterattack. The racquet has good feel and is easy to get used to. The racquet feels like it combine the best features of Arcsaber 7 and Arcsaber 10 but is a stiffer version.

Feel: 8.5/10
Control: 9/10
Power: 9/10
Defense: 9/10
Maneuverability: 9/10

Pros : Excellent durability and solid attack + defense

Cons: price and not suitable for beginners owing to the extra stiff flex of the shaft.

Suitability : doubles and singles racquet suitable for high intermediate and advance players.

YONEX/Sunrise sports recommendation for player type:
For hard hitters looking for high performance with high tension

Yonex rating 1-5:
Flex-5
Power-5
Control-5

(Ref: Yonex badminton chart)