Gade upsets "Super Dan" while China books 3 golds
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-12 10:03

Denish treasure Peter Gade moved one step toward his target to win a title in China by overwhelming home favorite Lin Dan in the semifinal of men's single Saturday at the 2006 Avivo-Cofco China Masters Badminton Championships.

"I need to win the tournament in China," said Peter Gade two days ago, and now he is just one step away from that after a 63-minute fierce battle.

"Today, we both played very very very fast because of the new scoring system," said Gade, 30-year-old, "It is sort of deciding by who is controling, who is taking the chances, who is choosing to attack on the right moment."

Although the spectators cheered "Come on, Lin Dan" from the very beginning, the home ace was a little bit blunt at the first set and lost 18-21. The "Super Dan" came back in the second, winning by a powerful smash 21-19. However, Gade, the former world number one controled the final one, especially when Lin made a few errors after 18-18, and locked the victory 21-19.

"He (Lin Dan) is a difficult player, as the match changes all the time, and both of us adapt to what the other do." said Gade, "In our matches, it's a matter of mental strength, you know, I have good belief today."

"I made a few mistakes in the end," said Lin, "but I still think I did well. It is a good practise for me to adapt to the new system, and it helps me in preparing for the Thomas Cup."

The other China-Denmark clash ended with Chinese youngster's victory. Nineteen-year-old Chen Jin ranked 15th in the world, upset the seventh seeding Kenneth Jonassen by straight sets 21-16, 21-18.

"I prepared well for the battle," said the world junior champion, "His (Jonassen's) attack is strong, but his defense is a little bit weak."

Trailing 9-12 in the second set, the Chinese rising star caught up with great patience and fabulous attacks, pushing the Denish veteran, 32, to consecutive errors and secured a berth in the final.

The men's double final will also be a China-Denmark battle as top seed Jens Eriksen/Martin Lundgaard Hansen and second seed Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng both through.

Wang Lin, 17, continued her "dark horse" legend by upsetting third-ranked Wang Chen from Hong Kong, China by another turnover 19-21, 21-18, 21-17, after Friday's winning against top seed Zhang Ning.

Earlier, second seed Xie Xingfang eliminated Olympic silver medalist Mia Audina Tjiptawan, Netherlands, 21-15, 12-21, 21-11, locking the horn with her teenage compatriot in the women's final.

The finals of women's double and mixed double will both be all-Chinese clashes, securing three gold medals of the five-day tournament.