Conclusion of Li-Ning Singapore Open 2011

The finals of Li-Ning Singapore open, opened with a furious bang.

The mixed doubles pair of Liliyana Natsir and Ahmand Tantowi Of Indonesia set the pace of attacking play overcoming a service-error prone Cheng Wen-hsing and her partner Chen Hung-Ling of Chinese Taipei.

The Women's singles was pretty solid, pitting the veteran Dane, Tine Baun vs. her nemesis, Wang Xin. Wang Xin prevail over a hard-fought match winning, 21-19, 21-17 in slightly more than 30 minutes. Arguably the best match of the day.

The real let down was the men's singles. World top player Lin Dan of China conceded a walkover to fellow country-man Chen Jin. Lin Dan personally made his way to the court to make an announcement. But the crowd in the Indoor stadium was not pleased, some folks in the stadium were trash-talking. I was furious too (I paid for the season ticket) that Lin Dan decided not to play, citing stomach flu. At least, Lin Dan should show more class by performing some exhibition shots like playing casually and lose to Chen Jin.

The trend of Chinese (China) player conspiring to give a let to another Chinese (China) is a bit suspicious given its frequency. Anyway, Lin Dan let Li-Ning down, who cheated me of watching him play in the finals...I pity foreign fans/tourist who flew to Singapore and paid for the ticket just to watch Lin Dan. Singapore Open 2011, would be unfairly associated with Lin Dan's infamy.

The Women's doubles was between China and Korea. Oh surprise! China pull out all the stops 110% to beat another nation's team. National pride, no?!

Similarly, in men's doubles, Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun showed no mercy to Indonesians.

Nationalism at its worst in sports...

I believed if national team-ism or nationalism is taken out of Badminton, national conflict of interest would be taken out of the game and individual talents will vied to be the top regardless of country of representation.

Hopefully, the BWF look into this more seriously.

Yonex Nanospeed 9000X review

Review Date : 09 June 2011
Racquet: Yonex Nanospeed 9000 Type X
Strings: Yonex BG66 @ 24lbs
Specs: 3UG4 SP
Flex: Extra Stiff
Balance: 285mm +/- 2mm (even balance)
Grip: Karakal Grip + Toalson overgrip

Shuttles used: Yonex AS40, speed 2

First Impression: This racquet is very distinctive from afar, it was produce more than 4 years ago. Like its sister, NS9000S, the racquet is brightly coloured. Yonex called the main color Glorious Gold. The selling point of this racquet is the elastic titanium, which is the first Yonex racquet to incorporate this material. One can be put off by its rating of extra stiffness. However, don't let the flex scare you, once you have the right technique and able to get behind the shuttle, this racquet allows you to be in beast mode especially in the attack. [Of course, this is assuming one has decent footwork and proper hitting technique]

Warm Ups: Warming involves baseline to baseline clears. However, owing to the new/high tension of the new string, I have to adjust to the timing. The flex of this racquet especially demands that you get behind the shuttle in order to allow a full overhand swing. Otherwise, it's easy to hit an off-center shot or a weak shot.

Game Time: The racquet has a good maneuverability and control to it owing to the semi headlight balance and extra stiff flex. This racquet feels at home both on the forehand and backhand. This racquet handles very accurate near the halfcourt position or backcourt especially drives and power smashes. On the backcourt, this racquet is a smash based player's delight. It has the rare characteristics of having a very accurate/controlled powerful smash; the stiffness and the repulsion of the racquet are the main reason behind it.

Conclusion: This racquet's playability is excellent owing to its smashing power, fast defense, control and maneuverability. The thing that strikes you quickly when wielding an NS9000X is how an all rounder racquet it is, easy  to switch to defense and offense. However, it really shines as a doubles back court player's racquet meant for power smashes. It was the most powerful smashing Yonex racquet when it was first launch.


Feel: 9/10
Control: 9/10
Power: 9.5/10
Defense: 9/10
Maneuverability: 9/10

Pros : Excellent in every aspect, defense, offense and control. Doubles smashing racquet par excellence.

Cons: Maybe too stiff to flex for emergency/desperate shots and is expensive. Need to be able to generate very high swing speed to flex this racquet. 


Suitability: intermediate/advanced players for singles 2U...(3U for doubles)

Player type: Smash based player and all-around player for singles and doubles

Footnote: this review was done as a hobby and as an interest to inform fellow badminton enthusiast. This is my personal opinion and in no form to promote this racquet.

Conflict of interest: None


YONEX/Sunrise sports recommendation for player type:
Solid feel impact for smash based hard hitters looking for more power and durability

Yonex rating 1-5
Power 5
Control 5
Flex 5

(Ref: Yonex badminton chart)

Li-Ning Singapore Open 2011 15th June, day2

Peter Gade watching a match between Chen Jin (CHN) vs. Hans-Kristian Vittinghus (DEN).

New this year,the Stadium overhead screen showing the score on each court.

Here Morten Frost and an unidentified female coach watching, analysing and giving support to Viktor Axelsen (DEN) vs. Wong Choon Hann (MAS). Here, the future opponents of this match videotaped this particular match with their videocams on tripod. Great for scouting the opponent's tendencies and weakness...

Forza racquets

Just examined some pieces of Forza racquets.

Majority of the racquets are 3U weight. The racquets are primarily made in Taiwan.

The top end models prices are roughly 3/5 the price of Yonex.

The top end models are the Titanium, Kevlar and N-Forze lines. The racquets reminded me of the APACs Tantrum 200.

The build of the FZ racquet frame and shaft are kinda thick and meaty, the weight ranges from 87grams upwards.

Yonex Arcsaber 7 review

Yonex Arcsaber 7 (1st Generation)
Review Date : 09 May 2011
Racquet Type : Yonex Arcsaber 7
Specs : 3UG4
Flex: Medium
Balance: 285 mm
Strings: Yonex BG66 ultimax
Tension: 24lbs , 1 Piece Stringing
Grip: Victor towel grip
Shuttles used: Yonex AS40, speed 2

First Impression: Am eager to try this racquet, since it is/was a popular racquet in mixed/women's and men's doubles. The shaft is overall silver whereas the frame is black laterally with highlights of yellow. The racquet initially felt somewhat headheavy and felt stiff (like most Yonex racquets) without grip and when not swung. However, when swung, the racquets cuts through the air very well and does not feel heavy nor stiff. Rather it is quite comfortable to swing this racquet.

Warm Ups: Warming involves baseline to baseline clears. However, owing to the new/high tension of the new string, I have to adjust to the timing. Clears are long and far owing to ease of swing and the flex of the racquet. If one word is to describe this racquet is 'comfortable'. Within minutes of picking up this racquet, it felt easy to wield this racquet in overhead strokes, lifts, drives and netplay.

Game Time: The racquet has a good maneuverability and control to it owing to the thin frame and mid stiffness. This racquet feels at home both on the forehand and backhand. This racquet handles very fast near the net or halfcourt position especially push shot and fast flat drives. One of the reasons it is a choiced racquet for front court players examplified by Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia (at one point) and Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia. Generally, overhead shots using forehand (pronation) is good (owing to the flex) like drops and clears. The smash (power) of ARC7 is above average. The defensive strokes like lifts are excellent, both forehand and backhand. For drives, this racquet excels in speed as it is somewhat light and less stiff.

Conclusion: This racquet's playability is excellent owing to its defense, control and maneuverability. The thing that strikes you quickly when wielding an ARC7 is how comfortable it is, even beginners would not have problem adapting to it. It's more of a doubles front court player's racquet meant for fast/sharp exchanges. Not only that, India's Saina Nehwal, used this racquet for women's singles. Definitely a beginner friendly racquet as the stiffness is medium flex and the balance point is light to mid balance.

Feel: 8/10
Control: 9/10
Power: 8/10
Defense: 9/10
Maneuverability: 9/10

Pros : Ease of use, excellent control, defense and maneuverability.

Cons: Shaft maybe too flexy for accurate hard smashing at the backcourt.

Suitability: beginner/intermediate/advanced players for singles 2U...(3U for doubles)

Player type: defensive and control player for singles and front court/mid court player for doubles

Footnote: this review was done as a hobby and as an interest to inform fellow badminton enthusiast. This is my personal opinion and in no form to promote this racquet.

Conflict of interest: None

YONEX/Sunrise sports recommendation for player type:
For professional player looking for smash power as well as control

Yonex rating 1-5
Power 5
Control 5
Flex 3

(Ref: Yonex badminton chart)

Reference: Yonex website (accessed @ 09/05/11)
Badmintoncentral.com (accessed @ 09/05/11)

Wilson K-Pro Review

The racquet is a sub 4U weight (4U-) with a medium flex shaft and head heavy balance.

Feel: 7/10
Control: 8/10
Power: 8/10
Defense: 8.5/10
Maneuverability: 9/10

Pros : light weight, Excellent in front of the net and good in counterattack.

Cons: Maybe not be not powerful to smash from the backcourt

Suitability: beginner, intermediate and advanced singles/doubles player

Player type: control, defensive and all-around player for singles and doubles

Footnote: this review was done as a hobby and as an interest to inform fellow badminton enthusiast. This is my personal opinion and in no form to promote this racquet.

Conflict of interest: None

Month of June

With the conclusion of the Sudirman Cup, the month of June serves up two Superseries tournament, the Li-Ning Singapore Open and the Djarum Indonesia Open.

I would be attending(er watching, giving a false impression that I'm playing).

Hope to see familiar faces...in the court and off court.