Masters
2003

Finals, 3. day

  Wong Choong Hann, MAS (4) 
    - Kenneth Jonassen, DEN (6) 
        15-7, 15-10 (39m)

According to Peter Gade, Wong Choong Hann is not only a very good badmintonplayer. He also has something to tell off court. Tonight he first spoke on court, out playing the top ranking danish singleplayer, Kenneth Jonassen.

Kenneth Jonassen has suffered from problems with the stomack in the days up to the start of this event, but he quickly dismissed any notions, that this was the reason. The game never became physical enough for this to happen. He lacked strength to smash and make fast returns, he explained, and then Wong Choong Hann is too good to let that opportunity slip, he said after the game

Wong Choong Hann explained his victory with the fact, that it was the 3. time he was here. He liked the atmosphere and the audience, particular because they evidently liked good badminton, regardless of who played. He felt motivated by that - and by the fact that he was invited. He wanted to play so well, that he would be invited again, he said.

  Xie Xingfang, CHN (6) 
    - Camilla Martin, DEN (7)
        11-3, 11-3 (27m)

Before this match, Camilla led the head-to-head matches 3-1, and yesterdau the chines girl did not play convincingly, loosing one game to danish no 2, Tine Rasmussen.

But it was clear from the start, that Xie was much better motivated and well playing today, and Camilla Martin did not play as well as in the other two matches. Actually Camilla Martin committed all the errors that a newbie in this event are prone to - loosing sight of the lines, failing to clear the net, etc. And this was her 11. and last participation. She quickly started to curse at herself - something everybdy could hear - and most understand, which is not a good thing. And it did not help either this time. Xie Xingfang quickly earned her price and title.

Camilla was still smiling afterwards, though. She fully enjoyed the thought, that next year she would be in the crowd and that this place had given her so much over the years. She thanked the audince in a special, short speach after the presentation, and got a long ovation on her exit from the court.

  Candra Wijaya/Halim Haryanto, INA (22)
    - Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen, DEN (1)
        15-11, 15-4 (40m)

The indonesians have never before been beaten by the danish world champions - and they where determined, that this was not the day, either.

The game was fast from the beginning. Soon it was evident, that the home team in the 3. finals also was in trouble. Lars and Jonas let Candra and Halim into the lead, and they really never let go again. The danes did even the score after trailing 8-3 and reached 11-9, but never scored again in the first game. They attacked again from the start of the second game, to 3-0 - but Candra and Halim regained the control and now even the simple plays would fail for Lars and Jonas.

Except for the last part of the 2. game, a very fast and entertaining match.

For the first time in the history of Copenhagen Masters no danes was able to gain the title. Maybe a loss for the national ego, but clearly a victory for danish badminton, that good players from all over the world will like to come and show their talents.

[Number in paranthesis after player names are IBF world ranking as of 25. December 2003.]

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