Hong Kong shuttlers make breakthrough at Doha Asiad
(Xinhua)Updated: 2006-12-09 21:26
Hong Kong shuttlers made a breakthrough at the 15th Asian Games here on Friday by guaranteeing a one-two finish in the women's singles competition.
 Zhang Ning of China (L) lost to Yip Pui Yin of Chinese Hong Kong December 7,2006 and didn't advance to the women's single badminton finals at Doha Asian Games.[Xinhua]  |
With the two shuttlers advancing into the final, Hong Kong of China could welcome their first ever badminton gold and silver at Asian Games.
In the Asian Games history, Hong Kong of China only got two badminton bronze medals, also through the effort of their women players.
The 19-year-old Yip clinched her dreamlike victory over world number one Zhang Ning of China in Thursday's quarterfinal. The Asian Games rookie continued her legend by entering her first ever final in big international competitions.
While the women's singles final will be a fight of teammates, the men's singles final is going to be a clash between two arch- rivals.
Taufik Hidayat fought a seesaw battle with second-seeded Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia until the Indonesian Olympic champion triumphed 21-16, 21-18.
World champion Lin Dan of China breezily beat Lee Hyun Il from South Korea 21-3, 21-10 .
The final will see Lin and Taufik fight for the third time in the Asian Games, with Lin winning twice before.
Besides, Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong from Malaysia will lock horn with Indonesian fifth-seeded Luluk Hadiyanto and Alvent Yulianto Chandra in the men's doubles final on Saturday.
Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen won a tough battle to enable China secure the gold of the women's doubles, as top-seeded Gao Ling and Huang Sui had overcome their arch-rivals Lee Kyung Won and Lee Hyo Jung from South Korea in the semifinals.
The only gold decided on Friday was fetched by Zheng Bo and Gao Ling from China, as they won over their teammates Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen in straight sets in the mixed doubles final.
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