DENMARK'S AND CHINA'S FUTURE STARS TO BATTLE FOR SCOT TITLE
by Mike Grossman (from a report filed by Yang Yang Badminton Equipment)

November 23, 1996 (New Shuttlenws) - Two of the stars of the near-future will battle for the men's singles championship of the badminton Scottish Open tomorrow. Denmark's Peter Gade-Christensen and China's Ji Xingpeng both won their semifinal matches today to set up a clash between the two stars-in-waiting.

Gade, who has been in top form this week, outplayed compatriot Anders Boesen, 15-4 and 15-10, while Ji had to beat back a second-game challenge from Henrik Bengtsson of Sweden.

After easily winning the first game 15-2, Ji had to scramble back from an 8-12 deficit in the second to force a setting or tie-break at 14-all. In the setting, Ji had the momentum on his side and he scored the 5 points he needed to win while allowing the Swede to tally only one marker.

In the women's singles finals, it will be an all-China affair with Liu Lufang and Wu Huimin both defeating their semifinal opponents from Scandinavia.

Liu outpointed Sweden's Margit Borg 11-2 and 11-6 while Wu had problems against Mette Sorensen of Denmark.

Wu took the first game 11-5 but struggled in the second, finally dropping the game in a setting 9-12. She managed to gain her wind and game back in the third to win 11-5.

Ji also booked a place in the men's doubles finals when he and Chen Wei defeated the top-seeds Jesper Larsen and Peder Nissen of Denmark, 15-11, 4-15 and 15-10.

In the finals, Ji and Chen will face the Danish Open champions Jim Laugessen and Thomas Stavngaard of Denmark.