FRENCH OPEN Finals – Two for Yu...but Gade Wins Fans' Hearts

Monday, 03 November 2008 11:17

In an electrifying atmosphere at the Stade De Coubertin in Paris, Yu Yang walked away with two golds but it was Denmark’s Peter Gade (photo left) who won the hearts of the fans as he beat Taufik Hidayat in three sets to take the men’s singles title to complement the title he won in Denmark just last week. Wang Lin also completed the European double as she beat Xie Xingfang on her comeback while Kido and Setiawan reaffirmed their domination in men’s doubles by beating temporary Chinese pair of Cai Yun and Xu Chen.

By Mark Phelan (Live in Paris). Photos: Badmintonphoto.com (Live in Paris)

All week the players had been speaking about the amazing atmosphere created by the French fans at the wonderful Stade De Coubertin and in today’s final the French fans were once again out in force to cheer on their idols. Most were there to see the anticipated match-up between Gade and Hidayat and both players gave the boisterous fans plenty to cheer about.

As both players entered the arena, the noise was deafening and as the match began it was the Dane who settled quickest as he eased his way into a 10-3 lead. Hidayat, spurred on by chants of ‘Taufik! Taufik!’ by his fans realised the set was quickly slipping away and with a 7-point run he tied the game at 10-all. Gade stemmed the comeback to take the next point and a psychological 11-10 interval lead. Gade won the first point after the interval to stretch his lead to two again but as Taufik fought back to level at 15-15 and the Dane must have been wondering what he had to do the see off the challenge of the dogged Indonesian. Taufik continued to dictate the play towards the end of the set and found himself 19-16 ahead. Gade had chances to tie the game again but two wayward smashes from the Dane handed his opponent the set. Taufik was now in unfamiliar territory as this was the first time that he had managed to win the first set in this tournament.

The second set commenced as the crowd settled after a series of Mexican waves and Gade immediately commanded a 4-1 lead. Yet again, Hidayat battled back to level at 5-5 but Gade seized on some uncharacteristic net errors by Hidayat to squeeze out a narrow 7-5 lead. As Gade led 8-6, Taufik had the Dane diving and scrambling to retrieve smash after Indonesian smash and in what was clearly the best point of the match Taufik was once again foiled by the net to hand the point to Gade. Clenched fists and roars of joy from Gade only served to fuel the atmosphere in a point that clearly changed the course of the match as it was evident that the Dane believed himself that he could go on and win the set. Both players continued to serve up a feast of badminton and at 12-12 Gade played the most delightful crosscourt backhand drop shot from the back corner which drew rapturous applause from the French fans. Both players traded points to level at 17-17 but a combination of Hidayat errors and Gade winners saw the Dane run out a 21-17 winner to take the match into a deciding rubber.

The third set was all Gade. At 2-2, Hidayat’s form seemed to just abandon him. A series of misjudgments from the Indonesian handed Gade some easy points as Hidayat thought the shuttle was drifting out over the end line but clearly dropped in to hand the Dane an 8-4 lead. Gade continued to apply the pressure on Hidayat and had one hand on the trophy after a 10 point winning streak before Taufik stopped the rot at 16-6. Taufik was to only win one more point as his normally reliable net play abandoned him and at match point to Gade, Taufik once again failed to convert pressure into points and his attempted drop shot fell back to his side of the net to hand the game to Gade 21-7 and with it the championship.

“A few months ago I had two very bad injuries and it looked a long way back for me so this is a very big moment for me and to win this event and Denmark last week is really a crowning moment for me in my career," explained a delighted Dane after his triumph. "To beat Taufik after he beat Lee Chong Wei yesterday is a huge boost for me. It is just the best feeling to win two Super Series events in a row. I have worked so hard for this and credit must be paid to all the people around me as we need to see victories like this. Tonight I will go home to my family as I miss them very much so unfortunately I will not be able to celebrate here in Paris. I would like to thank all the wonderful fans for coming out this week to support not only me but all the players and most of all this wonderful tournament. The fans have made this tournament so special and I am already looking forward to coming back again.”

Elsewhere on finals day, Wang Lin completed a European double as she goes back to China as Denmark and French Super Series Champion. The 19-year-old Chinese defeated Xie Xingfang on her comeback after the Olympics in three sets 21-18, 13-21, 21-11.

Yu Yang ( photo left) had a magnificent week in Paris as she walked away with two golds. In the first match on finals day she walked away with the mixed doubles title along with her partner He Hanbin. The Chinese number 2 seeds defeated the crowd favourites and rejuvenated Anthony Clark and Donna Kellogg from England 21-13, 21-19.

Later in the day, Yu and partner Du Jing secured the women’s doubles title but only after suffering a first set scare, losing 20-22. The Chinese number 1 pair re-grouped to take the title with a 21-19, 21-11 in the second and third set to deny Chin Eei Hui and Wong Pei Tty from Malaysia.

In the final game on court, Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan (photo above right) reaffirmed their status as world number 1 men’s doubles pair as they comfortably beat the newly formed Chinese pair of Cai Yun and Xu Chen. The Chinese had no answers to the power and skill of the Indonesians as they ran out 21-15, 21-12 winners in the shortest match of finals day which lasted just 27 minutes.

Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark was awarded the 'Fair Play' trophy presented by BADZINE for his outstanding contribution, not only to the French Super Series tournament this week, but to badminton in general throughout his illustrious career. Kenneth is pictured with Raphael Sachetet (Chief Editor) of Badzine receiving his trophy ahead of the men's singles final.

For complete results from the finals of the 2008 French Open Super Series, click HERE

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