India Open: Stars to watch out for - Part 2

Tine Baun: Hard-hitting Dane

Denmark, World No.7

Tine Baun

Over the last four years, no women’s singles player had held off the Chinese with the efficacy of Tine Baun. The Dane derives all her advantage from her tall and powerful frame; her long limbs help her reach the shuttle the ease; her smashes are the steepest and most powerful in the women’s game. She has had some injury problems of late, but when she’s fit, she’s a feisty competitor and a match for any of the top Chinese. Baun appears an awkward mover, and her footwork is not copybook, but she manages to get the job done. There’s no Dane in sight after her, and that is a worry for her country, considering that she is nearing the end of her career.

Wang Shixian: Grace and skill

Wang Shixian

China, World No.2

A graceful, cherubic girl who is probably the most talented of the Chinese bunch. Shixian ran into a certain Saina Nehwal in the semifinals of the World Junior Championships at 2008, but she has progressed since those days into a wily player with good reserves of stamina. Not one to decimate with power. Has won several Superseries titles and the gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games, but seems to get the worse of encounters with her compatriot Wang Yihan. Has yet to replicate the kind of form she demonstrated last year, when she won the All England, the China Masters and the Malaysia Open.

Li Xuerui: All steep angles

China, World No. 4

Li Xuerui

Is perhaps going to be the most dominant Chinese over the next five years. Xuerui shot to fame after winning the Asian Championships at Delhi in 2010, where she beat Saina in the semis and teammate Liu Xin in the final. Xuerui has had a meteoric rise; what aids her is her naturally lanky frame that helps her whip steep smashes that her opponents scramble to retrieve; she also doesn’t seem to have the problems of movement that dog other tall players. The All England title win recently over No.1 Wang Yihan confirms our belief that Xuerui has everything it takes to dominate world badminton.

Other Chinese to watch: Jiang Yanjiao, Chen Xiao Jia

Ratchanok Inthanon: Child prodigy

Thailand, World No.10

Ratchanok Inthanon

Everybody talks of the Chinese domination of badminton, but Ratchanok Inthanon could well be the face of the resistance – along with Saina Nehwal – of the rest of the world. Inthanon is a child prodigy in the truest sense, achieving the unprecedented by winning three straight World Junior titles. Even as a teen, she has had the measure of some of China’s best players, and she has shown steady signs of progress. Inthanon ‘s contribution to her country can be likened to Saina’s, as she is likely to inspire countless young girls and boys keen to emulate her.

Julianne Schenk: German power

Germany, World No. 8

Juliane Schenk

The German, along with Tine Baun, has kept Europe in the women’s singles game. The best Chinese have had problems with her; and she has a fair record against all of them. Schenk plays a muscular style, constantly hustling for points, and using a stinging smash. She is also sound mentally; her game isn’t attractive to watch but it is effective. Courteous at all times, she probably hasn’t got the attention in her homeland that she deserves.

Saina Nehwal: Can be queen

India, World No.5

Saina Nehwal

There’s little about her that hasn’t been said before. Not blessed with the strokes of Aparna Popat or Trupti Murgunde, Saina has developed her own physical style of play and coupled it with extraordinary reserves of mental strength and concentration. What makes her unique is her composure under pressure; she has always backed herself against formidable foes. Over the first two years of her senior season, she was unbeatable in the finals of major tournaments. Physically, she is as fine a specimen as anyone in the game. The Chinese have become wary of her after suffering some prominent defeats, and she will again be in their sights through the Olympics.