Top Polish mixed doubles pair of Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Zieba (pictured) look to be in pole position to lift the Dutch International title tomorrow after a faultless and unchallenged display at both quarter and semi final stages today in Wateringen.

The Poles, who have slipped to number 26 in the world after a series of niggling injuries to Zieba look to be regaining the form that saw them climb inside the world’s top 5 not so very long ago. In today’s quarter and semi final Mateusiak and Zieba only dropped a total of 28 points in four games.

The Poles have literally been untouchable in this tournament to date and have not dropped anymore than 11 points in any one game on the way to tomorrows final. With the European Championships just around the corner it looks now that Zieba and Mateusiak will be full of confidence heading to Karlskrona and will be a match for the top seeded Danes at the business end of the tournament next week.

They still have a final to win here in The Netherlands but it would be a fool that would bet against them lifting the title against little known Russian pair of Ashmarin and Panushkina.

In the men’s singles there was disappointment for the European and local Dutch contingent of Palyama and Pang. Dicky Palyama lost out to Andre Tedjono in the semi final in what is probably his last Dutch International and Pang was beaten by the form men’s singles player on the European circuit for the past month, Anand Pawar of India.

“I have been playing very well and in control these past few weeks and winning gives me confidence and I am playing with confidence right now” said Pawar to Badminton Europe.

Yao Jie managed to achieve what her husband failed to do by eventually seeing off the stubborn challenge of Elizabeth Cann. The English woman certainly played with a lot more freedom and flair this tournament and a semi final match against the Dutch number one was about as best as she could have hoped for this week.

The women’s doubles was always heading towards an all Dutch final and top seeds Van Doormalen and Jonathans spluttered their way into tomorrow’s final. In tomorrow’s final they will play the pretenders to their throne in the shape of Irish Tabeling and Selena Piek and the younger Dutch pair ended the charge of Severien and Verheul.

“This has been our first tournament since the Europeans as both of us have suffered a bit with injury so it has been good to come back and get a run of games together and this is good confidence ahead of the Europeans next week” said Piek to Badminton Europe

The men’s doubles final will be a shootout between Dutch number two pairing Jorrit De Ruiter and Dave Khodabux and World junior champions from Malaysia Heg and Teo. The Dutch had a semi final win over the flamboyant Dasuki and Gunawi while the Malaysians will be clear favourites after an easy route to the final with a win over Zander and Niesner.

All the final action will be live on Badminton Europe TV from 12.00 (local time). Just log in and register and watch for free by clicking HERE.

For a live photo gallery from the tournament follow Badminton Europe on Facebook by clicking HERE

For all results click HERE

Article and Image by Mark Phelan (Live in Wateringen, The Netherlands)