The competition in mixed doubles will be very hard when Yonex Denmark Open presented by Danisa begins. Read about some of the profiles here.
Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei, China
The world’s very best mixed double players are the Chinese duo of Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei. The defending Olympic champions won yet another world championship this year, as they resoundingly beat their talented countrymen, Liu Cheng and Bao Yixin. It has also come as no surprise that they have taken gold at the Singapore and Malaysian Open and the All England, to name just a few.
The Chinese pair, who are also a couple, won the Denmark Open two years ago, though they only reached the Friday matches last year. Both players were involved in doubles matches in the quarterfinals, and while Zhang Nan was in action in the men’s doubles, Zhao Yunlei was, however, injured in a marathon-length women’s doubles, forcing them to withdraw from the mixed doubles. The Chinese are undoubtedly the favourites to recapture the gold medal this year.
Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir, Indonesia
Last year it was at the hands of Xu Chen and Ma Jin, this year it is the Indonesians, Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir. With defeats to Nan and Yunlei in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open, Singapore Open, Indonesia Open and the World Championships, they do not really have any noteworthy medals to show for the brilliant play they have displayed since their second place at the All England. However, if they can defeat the Chinese world champions, then they also stand a good chance of obtaining a silver.
Read about the other profiles when Badminton Magazine is published in the begining of October.
You can buy your tickets here