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Niwa has also improved. It's just almost impossible to beat Fan Zhendong at Super Saiyan God power levels.

These were my exact sentiments watching Hirano. Her shots were more mature and her sequences were strong but she didn't play like someone who knew her true level.

It is actually well known that Boll doesn't practice that much and it isn't a recent thing either. It is probably more justifiable now because of his public injuries but compared to other TT players, some consider him lazy or injured. He does like it when he plays enough matches to keep his...

Truly a legend.

To be fair, DHK has the best wide forehand game I have seen vs Ito.

She looks flat and to be fair, Doo Hoi Kem chases everything down.

The CNT women are fixing that quickly. We should be back on schedule soon.

European men too. It is a general difference on technique. There are individual exceptions but your general observation is correct. Part of it is driven by equipment but it is a stylistic difference across countries and continents.

Yes. I actually believe Japan now legitimately has the best women defenders in the world.

Hirano's level is back, her mental approach and confidence has to catch up. She also needs to round out her slow game a little but I could definitely see this quality of game winning a gold in Tokyo. Unless it faces Liu Shiwen maybe.

I think Ishikawa's blessing is the introduction of the mixed doubles event. They will find a way to encourage her to play that and forget the singles event.

Really enjoy and appreciate your commentary on the Japanese youth development system.

As big a factor but forgotten was the choke of Xu Xin vs CCY at the Olympic qualification tournament. That pretty much ended any chance XX had of making the team as a singles player. In fact, I think ZJK had done enough but it is easy to remember all the good things about Xu Xin and forget his...

To make it clearer, you have to establish early how your opponent handles topspin. If they block then take your time to play with spin. If they counter, work on your placement so you don't loop where they can counter aggressively. A common mistake in TT is to play your opponent as if he is...

I asked a friend who played and coached internationally whether jt was fair for ZJK to be picked over FZD and XX. My friend said yes that it is fair to pick someone who has won and who knows what it takes to win at the highest levels and at the most stressful moments over people who have never...

I agree with this. I would like to add that there is no point in XX acting like this is the finals of the WTTC when it is not.

I believe Rui Zhang does as well and they also have Mu Zi. I don't know why people are underestimating the CNT. Ito has struck a hard blow and we need to see the CNT response before making strong long term predictions.

I understand your perspective but I understand theirs as well. None of the CNT take these tours seriously except those not on the top team. And CM is on the top team edge already with Wang Manyu so the result doesn't mean much to her.

Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling are really tight friends and don't enjoy playing against each other. There has to be something on the line other than a world tour title to make it interesting.

Agreed, but not to the tune of 0-4. I suspect that there was a game plan but it was so not working that she gave up after and said the plan was all wrong and couldn't fix it.