Lin Dan grabbed my attention instantly.
It came during one of his exchanges against the Olympic bronze medallist and World No. 4 Viktor Axelsen in the quarterfinals. The 'Big Dane', as the 6'3" Axelsen is known, smashed hard and low to Lin's left, the Chinese player's stronger side. In response, Lin just walked -- yes, simply walked and not charged or plunged forward desperately -- three steps forward calmly and placed the shuttle back in the opponent's court. Placed -- not flicked, not hit, but just placed the shuttle as you would a plate on a table.
It drew gasps from the crowd. And it was just one of the many genuine 'wow' moments Lin conjured up on way to a win over Axelsen on Friday evening.
The most beautiful thing about Lin's strokes was that there wasn't anything abrupt about them. He took his time, that extra second more, before executing shots and kept Axelsen guessing. The Dane later said that he was not patient and his plan did not work out.
On Saturday, in the semis, Lin was trailing by a game and 6-13 against countryman Shi Yuqi. Both players were close to the net and Shi played a flat stroke straight at Lin, who prepared to play a drop shot. Reading his opponent's wrist, Shi moved a step to his left. But Lin flicked the shuttle in the opposite direction by flipping his wrist.
Badminton is a rapid sport and strokes are exchanged in a torrent. Accompanied by a heaving full house in an indoor arena, heartbeats quicken as all eyes try to trace the shuttle's path. In such a dynamic atmosphere, Lin has the guts -- and the artistry -- to slow things down. Unlike many of his younger counterparts who are explosive, Lin, 33, relies on poise, control, finesse and timing in addition to guile and effortless finishing skills.
Some such magic is also produced by Lin's long-time Malaysian rival Lee Chong Wei. On Thursday, 2-2 in the second game against Chinese Taipei's Tzu Wei Wang, he moved forward, close to the net, to retrieve a low stroke. Chong Wei extended his right arm to flick the shuttle high -- it seemed. But just as the racket was about to touch the shuttle, he paused for a fraction of a second and played a delicate drop shot that left his opponent high and dry at the back of the court. A loud "ooooohhh" filled the arena as the fans were rewarded with just the kind of trickery-cum-mastery they had come to watch from the world No. 1.
Chong Wei, who is 34, and Lin have built their legends with such plays.
Unfortunately on Saturday, Lin failed to sustain the magic against Shi and went down 22-24, 11-21. That meant another dream final between Lin and Chong Wei would not happen.
Nonetheless, even in the twilight of his career, the matchless Lin managed to win over a badminton sceptic like me to the joys of the sport.