Masters 2001 - Finals

The danes this year can cheer for a player in each of the 3 events. But in all 3 the opponent is higher ranked on the world ranking lists. So no easy job for anybody.

Men's Singles

  Peter Gade, DEN
  - Wong Choong Hann, MAS
      7-5, 7-3, 8-6

Peter Gade has a 3-1 lead in previous encounters with Wong Choong Hann. Yesterday Peter told reporters, that Wong Choong Hann is a strong, fast player, and he expected a fast played match.

Hann got an early 3-0, and later a 5-1 lead, before Peter got control of the game. But he then hold on to it, and won losing the serve only once - at 5-5. The 2. game was for the most part very even. Even though it did only last about 13 minutes, there was a lot of plays - mostly fast, direct returns close to the net. It continued full speed into the 3. game, but Hann suddenly got his game going, gaining game point at 6-2, after scoring 5 points in a row. That electrified Peter, who retaliated - overcomming the difference and continuing to winning this masters tournament without losing the serve once.

Peter told the audience and TV2 that he was very, very happy about the victory. The injured knee had held up, and the next few days would tell, if it had healed completely. He took the opportunity and thanked those, that had supported him through the ordeal.

Ladies' Singles

  Camilla Martin, DEN
  - Zhang Ning, CHN
      7-2, 7-0, 7-2

Camilla was not the least tired, at they started with a very long volley on the 3. serve - earning Camilla her first point at 1-1. And then she did 3 more points. After a point to each (5-2) Camilla misjugded the back line corner - and talked loudly to her self: "Milla! - That? - After 10 years?" The next period of the game saw changing serves and som very long volleys. But in the 8th minute, Camilla got the game winning two points.

The second game only lasted 3 minutes. Nothing worked for Zhang Ning, who only got one chance to serve, at 4-0. But Camilla got the serve again, and finished.

The 3. game began with the tall chinese struggle to at 2-1 lead over Camilla - but a very long rally again gave the serve to Camilla - and she held on to it to match point at 6-2. Zhang Ning gained the serve twice - and the audience again heard Camilla lecturing herself loudly: "Milla: Now don't stand there and do it again", when she lost the serve the 2. time. She must have listened - the 3. time match point she got - and the title for the 6th time.

It was easier than expected, she told the audiense and tv-viewers after the match. But it was a very good match. The audience had pulled her throug, she said, and it was a support, that kept her comming again and again to this arena. It is the 9. time she participates

Men's Doubles

  Sigit Budiarto/Candra Wijaya, INA 
  - Jesper Larsen/Jim Laugesen, DEN
      9-2, 9-3, 9-4

Selv om det ikke var åbenbart for denne endnu noget utrænede referent, så spillede Jim Laugesen ikke op til sin sædvandlige standard. Det er korrekt, at han lavede en række fejl, men ikke mere end man kunne vente fra en ukoncentreret spiller. Men i slutningen det sidste sæt mod Zhang Jun/Zhang Wei, CHN, i går aftes jokkede han på sig selv og forstrakte noget i højre fod. Han fik fat i en specialist i går aftes - det var Peter Gades personlige fysioterapeut - som ikke kunne finde noget ødelagt i foden. Han var derfor tapet godt op, men følte straks at han ikke kunne bevæge sig særlig let. Jesper Larsen måtte derfor dække ham meget.

Indoneserne udnyttede ikke svagheden særlig meget. Sigit Budiarto og Chandra Wijaya kan godt lide lange, hurtige dueller, hvor der ikke er tid til at bevæge sig rundt - og vi så nogle bemærkelsesværdig dueller i løbet af denne match. Men indoneserne vandt dem næsten altid.

Efter kampen blev de to danskere spurgt om den nærmeste fremtid. Her brød Jesper Larsen hurtigt ind og sagde - at "få Jim til at gå på fødderne igen!"

This epic struggle between the new - and until now very succesfull - danish team and the world ranking no. 1 never really was a match at all.

Even though it was not obvious for this rather untrained reporter, Jim Laugesen did not play up his usual standard. True - he made a lot of errors, but not more than any unfocused player. But during last night final game against Zhang Jun/Zhang Wei, CHN, he stepped on himself and strained his right foot. He did manage to get hold of a specialist - actually Peter Gades personal fysio therapist, who could find nothing broken. He was taped up good before the match - but felt right away, that he could not move very well. Jesper Larsen then had to cover for him a lot.

The indonesian did not try to take advantage of the immobility - Sigit and Chandra likes playing long fast volleys - and we saw some spectacular during this match. And most of the time, they won.

After the match the danes was interviewed and asked about any future plans. Jesper Larsen quickly replied: "get Jim to walk on his feet again!"

Write to the author
Leif E. Andersen. 
Executive Editor, DilleSport

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