China Trials for WTTTC 2014

[Dan]

Thanks for the update @zjkfanforever Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin are all playing the Qatar Open this week. Busy schedule Any ideas why Zhang Jike is not playing the Qatar Open? Maybe he is taking a break since qualifying for the WTTTC 2014?

 

[Alborz]

Without Zhang Jike to stop Ma Long, He is going to win the second ticket to Tokyo. Go Ma Long!

 

[megabajsaren8]

Thanks for the update @zjkfanforever Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin are all playing the Qatar Open this week. Busy schedule Any ideas why Zhang Jike is not playing the Qatar Open? Maybe he is taking a break since qualifying for the WTTTC 2014?

it was zhangs birthday yesterday so i think its because of that

 

[zjkfanforever]

Thanks for the update @zjkfanforever Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin are all playing the Qatar Open this week. Busy schedule Any ideas why Zhang Jike is not playing the Qatar Open? Maybe he is taking a break since qualifying for the WTTTC 2014?

You are welcome!

Well, as to why Zhang Jike is not playing at Qatar Open, we are asking the same question here. Isn't he who is not going to compete in the second stage of the trials the one that has all the time to play a few games before WTTTC? BTW, he's not going to play at upcoming German Open either. Wang Hao and Fan Zhendong will be there according to the initial registration.

As you said, Ma Long, Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong, Yan An, Liang Jingkun have a very busy schedule. They are all going to compete in the second stage of the trials on the 26th, which leaves them only two day's rest after the conclusion of Qatar Open. I think the reason they postponed the games for one day from 24th to 25th is to accommodate Qatar Open. I don't know whether it's better to rest well before competition or it's better to keep the momentum going. Anyway, for Fan Zhendong, Yan An, and Liang Jingkun, there have been a lot of games played within a short period of time. Especially for Liang Jingkun, he has to play a few more games than the other two at both Kuwait and Qatar Open having to start in the qualification round. I know he's only 17, but the schedule is kind of exhausting both physically and mentally IMO.

 

[ttmonster]

I still feel because of the extensive physical nature of his technique , he has persistent injury issues and his workload is being managed . May be the CNT is too secretive to put this out there.

You are welcome!

Well, as to why Zhang Jike is not playing at Qatar Open, we are asking the same question here. Isn't he who is not going to compete in the second stage of the trials the one that has all the time to play a few games before WTTTC? BTW, he's not going to play at upcoming German Open either. Wang Hao and Fan Zhendong will be there according to the initial registration.

As you said, Ma Long, Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong, Yan An, Liang Jingkun have a very busy schedule. They are all going to compete in the second stage of the trials on the 26th, which leaves them only two day's rest after the conclusion of Qatar Open. I think the reason they postponed the games for one day from 24th to 25th is to accommodate Qatar Open. I don't know whether it's better to rest well before competition or it's better to keep the momentum going. Anyway, for Fan Zhendong, Yan An, and Liang Jingkun, there have been a lot of games played within a short period of time. Especially for Liang Jingkun, he has to play a few more games than the other two at both Kuwait and Qatar Open having to start in the qualification round. I know he's only 17, but the schedule is kind of exhausting both physically and mentally IMO.

 

[MegaZZ]

I think there is a fairly simple answer to the question why ZJK is not present in Qatar or German Open. He simply is not playing as much because in Opens his motivation is not as high. Also it's unreasonable to expect that someone will win all Opens and the Grand Slams (like World Cup, World Championships and Olympics). As a top athlete ages he needs to space out his schedule accordingly, if you compare Zhang Jike with Li Xiaoxia, then both are mostly ranked in the top 3 (but usually not number 1) since they do not play as many Opens but always goes for the big events such as the Grand Slams plus other events such as World Teams, Asian Games etc which the CNT is very serious about. In Opens, players gain ranking point and obviously prize money (provided you play well) but you have to pace yourself. In badminton the same can be said about Lin Dan, who in his active years was also ranked mostly in top 3 (mostly not number 1 though) but always excelled in major events. This is a balance you have to find. To me Jike, Xiaoxia have obviously found a good balance

 

[zjkfanforever]

Without Zhang Jike to stop Ma Long, He is going to win the second ticket to Tokyo. Go Ma Long!

I noticed that you have not changed the dates for the second stage on your first post. Forgot to update?

 

[Alborz]

I noticed that you have not changed the dates for the second stage on your first post. Forgot to update?

I have updated it now.

 

[zjkfanforever]

CCTV-5 Live Stream Schedule for the second stage of Road to Tokyo 2014 WTTTC ＣＮＴ Ｓｑｕａｄ Trials

Date	Time	Rounds
February 25	12:30PM - 15:30PM	Women's Group
February 26	13:35PＭ - 15:30PM	Men's Quarter Finals
February 27	14:00PM - 17:00PM	Men's and Women's Semi Finals
February 28	14:05PM - 16:00PM	Men's and Women's Finals

CCTV-5 Live Stream Address: http://www.cntv-5.com/cctv5.html

 

[zjkfanforever]

The group draw for women's trials of the second stage.

Group A	Group B
Ding Ning	Liu Shiwen
Chen Meng	Wu Yang
Zhu Yuling	Feng Yalan
Mu Zi	Wen Jia

Players in each group will play in Round Robin system on February 25, 2014, and the top two finishers from Group A and Group B will advance to the semi-finals which will be held on February 27, 2014.

 

[zjkfanforever]

Ding Ning 3:2 Zhu Yuling

Liu Shiwen 3:1 Feng Yalan

Mu Zi 3:2 Zhu Yuling

 

[massa]

Let's hope Ma Long will get better from his shoulder injury...

 

[Alborz]

Main draw of men's event is not ready yet?

 

[janus]

Ding Ning 3:2 Zhu Yuling

Liu Shiwen 3:1 Feng Yalan

Mu Zi 3:2 Zhu Yuling

>> Choose analysis 480p

 

[bachikho]

Ma Long - Liang Jingkun 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-9)

Fan Zhendong - Hao Shuai 3-1 (11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6)

Wang Hao - Yan An 3-2 (11-5, 8-11, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8)

Xu Xin - Cheng Jingqi 3-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-5)

 

[janus]

★ Yesterday's matches in HD

 

[Dan]

Ma Long - Liang Jingkun 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-9)

Fan Zhendong - Hao Shuai 3-1 (11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6)

Wang Hao - Yan An 3-2 (11-5, 8-11, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8)

Xu Xin - Cheng Jingqi 3-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-5)

Thanks for sharing! Wang Hao could be a dark horse in this second stage!

 

[Alborz]

Ma Long will face Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin will meet Wang Hao in semi-final. I think Ma Long and Xu Xin will get into the final.

 

[Icemanspirit]

I would love to see Fan Zhendong taking it even though Ma Long is the favourite in the match tomorrow..

 

[MegaZZ]

China Trials Predictions

I would love to see Fan Zhendong taking it even though Ma Long is the favourite in the match tomorrow..

I think Ma Long vs FZD should go to the wire (predict 3-2 either way).

Advantages of Ma Long: more experience and variation + usually performs well in the first game (warms up during the match faster than most opponents) and this is important as it's the best of 5 sets
Advantages of FZD: youthful energy and high quality of power and strength especially BH side, with the BH banana flick being a key role. If he finds a way to get past first 3 balls then I think he has very good chances.

I would rate it was 60-40 in favour of Ma Long but I think it should be very close.