Lin puts up dazzling show; Europe rallies

Lin Dan, the world’s No. 1 player from China, staged a badminton clinic at the Philsports Arena last night.

And on the receiving end was Germany’s top-ranked player, Bjoern Joppien, who was practically swept off the court, 15-2, 15-3, in day two of the MVP Cup Asia versus Europe Badminton Championships.

The 21-year-old Lin has only lost once to a European in his young, checkered career and was in no mood to lose a second time. He needed only 30 minutes to wrap up the match played before another huge Filipino crowd that cheered every point scored by either player.

"That’s why he’s the No. 1 player in the world," said Joppien.

Asked if there was any weak point in Lin’s game, the German badminton star quickly replied: "I kept on searching the whole game."

Lin’s victory was the fourth in a row for Asia in its heads-on showdown with the top players from Europe. Asia swept the opening men’s and ladies’ singles plus the men’s doubles the other night.

Scoring the first win for Europe was Pi Hongyan, a Chinese now playing for France. She defeated an ailing Seo Yoon Hee of Korea, 11-4-11-3, in just 29 minutes.

Following her footsteps was Europe’s ladies’ doubles pair of Gail Emms and Mia Audina Tjiptawan who defeated Thailand’s Saralee Thungthongkam and Sathinee Chankrachangwong, 15-12, 15-8. Emms was a late captain’s choice replacement for Yao Jie of the Netherland.

Each of the three matches on the first day, the first men’s and women’s singles and men’s doubles offered one point to the winner. The three matches yesterday were worth two points each while the last three to be played today, including the mixed doubles, are for three points each.

With a total of 19 points at stake, the team that earns 10 wins the tie and the bragging rights as the world’s best badminton region. Asia now leads on points, 5-4, leaving all matches on the final day as crucial as they could be.

Lin stretched his record to 60-5 over the last 18 months and looked all set to defend his World Championship crown in the United States next month. The only loss he has suffered against a European came in 2002 against Denmark’s Peter Gade, now ranked No. 3 in the world.

All throughout the match, Lin looked like the world’s top-ranked player that he is. He jumped to an early 7-0 lead in the first set and allowed Joppien to score only after on his backhand error. The first set needed only 12 minutes to finish, much like the second.

Like the players who saw action the other day, Joppien said he had a difficult time adjusting to the playing condition occasional wind drafts caused by the air-conditioner affecting the shuttle. Philsports officials tried to contain the matter by turning off the air-conditioner from time to time.

"The wind was confusing for me. And I had a hard time thinking about what to do better," said Joppien.

Lin, who gave away a couple of inches to the taller European, had no time to think about anything else but the game.

"I just focused on the game one hundred percent," he said through an interpreter.

Still scheduled to be played last night was the ladies’ doubles featuring Thailand’s against England’s Gail Emms and Mia Audina Tjiptawan.