(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-28 09:10

China's domination in badminton has suddenly been called into question after its best shuttlers suffered a string of losses during the recent IBF Super Series China Open, leaving many concerned about China's prospects for next year's Beijing Olympic Games. The China Open concluded at Tianhe Gymnasium in Guangzhou on Sunday as the host settled for only two out of the five titles, China's worst showing in 14 years at the tournament.

Xie Xingfang (back) and Zhang Ning of China compete during the IBF Super Series China Open on Saturday in Guangzhou. Xie and Zhang, the world's top two women's singles players, were unable to stop a dark-horse run by Malaysian Wong Mew Choo, who defeated four Chinese players in a row en route to winning the most important title of her career. [Xinhua]

The biggest upset came in the women's singles, which China traditionally dominates in major international competitions.

Wong Mew Choo from Malaysia ruined any planned celebration parties by outgunning world No 1 Xie Xingfang in the final.

The underdog Wong - the world No 8 - was a real giant killer and a nightmare for Chinese women, with wins over China's Zhu Jingjing, world No 5 Pi Hong Yan, (a former Chinese now representing France), world No 3 and reigning world champion Zhu Lin, and world No 2 Zhang Ning on her way to the title.

Veteran shuttler Zhang, a gold medalist at the Athens Olympics, said a loss does not undermine her determination to defend her title in Beijing 2008.

"Nobody likes the feeling of losing matches. The more important thing is how to keep health in your mind after a setback," said Zhang, 32. "If you keep thinking of how to beat the next opponent and the next next opponent, there will be huge pressure on your shoulders. I will try to play every game as the only one and just play my best game."

Years of training and competition have left lingering injures in her knees, but Zhang still has her eyes on the gold medal.

"Reports said I have lower expectations for the Beijing Games. They are wrong. I still have the passion and motivation for the gold medal. I will get fit step by step and fight for the best result in Beijing."

Like Zhang, Xie has struggled with a lingering injury in her lower back for a long time, but she refuses to blame her final failure on the injury.

"It's not an excuse. The injury has been there for a long time and I can handle it as long as it doesn't hurt so much," Xie said. "We have to admit the overall level of women's badminton is progressing fast. Every player has their own style and it's harder to beat them."

Head coach Li Yongbo also admitted the use of the 21-point system has narrowed the gap between Chinese and overseas players.

The China Open was not the first time this year China was humbled at an international event. China also failed to clinch a gold in September's Philippines Open. At the Japan Open later that month, Denmark's Tine Rasmussen demonstrated Europe's growing competitiveness at the cost of Chinese shuttlers, beating national champion Jiang Yanjiao, Zhang, world No 4 Lu Lan and then Xie in the final.

Apart from the women's singles, China also lost titles in men's doubles and mixed doubles at the China Open.

Indonesia emerged as the final doubles victor as Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan beat Guo Zhendong/Xie Zhongbo to take the men's doubles title, and Nova Vidianto/Lilyana Natsir beat Thai pair Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam to win the mixed doubles.

China's gold-medal hopefuls and world No 2 pair Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng failed to live up to expectations again with a surprising first-round exit in Guangzhou.

Coach Li has to take extra measures to get them back on track.

"They still need some time to find their best form. But we still have a while before the Olympic Games and I have confidence," Li said.

China's traditionally powerful mixed doubles team is also slumping after the retirement of two-time Olympic champion Zhang Jun.

Zhang's gold-medal partner Gao Lin has teamed with youngster Zheng Bo, but the new pair is still a ways from the sport's prime time, suffering losses in the world championship final and the China Open quarterfinals.

"Zheng is still not consistent and we are also short of teamwork sometimes," said Gao. "I am concerned if we are able to compete in the Olympics."

World No 3 Bao Chunlai and Gao Ling/Zhao Tingting saved face for China in the men's singles and women's doubles.

Bao thrashed Malaysian Lee Chong Wei 2-0 to claim the singles title. Lee, who beat Bao in the final to claim the French Open championship earlier this month, has risen to world No 2 in the latest IBF rankings.

Bao's performance was welcomed, but fellow world champion Lin Dan's upset at the hands of South Korea's Park Sung-hwan in the first round should sound as a warning to China.

"Lin's shortcoming is his slow starts in big tournaments. He is able to play better game after game, but who knows what will happen in the first round," said coach Li.