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Sorry, the format for Asian Cup has always been a bit confusing for me. Am I right to assume that the seeded players (12 in total) will be allocated into three groups (A, B, C) and each group cannot contain players from the same association? Those who ended up as first and second in each group will advance to Stage 2. The last four of the 16 registered players will be pitting each other in the so-called "Continental Cup" (Group D)?
Following which, the players who only placed third in Groups A, B and C will duke it out with the winner of the Continental Cup to determine two more slots for the main draw. Is there any reason why there is a need to carry out this additional step? Why can't the top two performing players of each group just progress automatically?
12. Competition Format12. 試合方法
第1ステージ
* 上位12名の選手は、グループA,B,Cの3グループに分かれます。
(同じ協会の選手が同一グループにならないよう、抽選会で調整が行われる)
* 各地域代表者(南・南東・西・中央アジア)は、グループDとする。
* リーグ戦形式で1試合5ゲームマッチ
* 各グループの上位2名が第2ステージに進出。各グループの3位の選手は、グループDの1位の選手を交え、第2ステージののこり2枠をかけて試合を行います。
第2ステージ
* トーナメント形式で1試合7ゲームマッチ
Hirano might pull another major upset here.
Japan is the place of upset, just like in Japan open last year. Will see how prepared are the CNT.
I seem to recall that FZD and LGY took both gold and silver at Asian Cup 2018 (also in Yokohama); they also took gold and silver at Asian Cup 2017 too. ML and FZD took both gold and silver in Japan open 2017, while FZD took gold in 2016.
So... as much as I like upsets against the Chinese, history suggests that Japan is not quite the place of upset in recent years... Just my humble opinion.
No one is unbeatable. 2017 WTTC final was a super close game and also Timo Boll was leading 8-4 and then lost the set, if he had won, 3:3, who knows what would have happened in the 7th. With only 11 points per set no one is unbeatable.
I will be attending on Saturday