Although chances are slim but I think Falck winning the title will be the best for everyone. Having a non-Chinese winner sends an encouraging signal to the rest of the world. Likewise if ML were to lose, it will spur the CNT to seriously groom the next generation of male players. Compared to the...
I quote this from the Women's Singles press conference: "I didn't have a coach last year which made me feel really down, till the point that I almost wanted to give up. Hence, my sincerest thanks and appreciation to President Liu (Guo Liang) and Coach Ma Lin for believing in me!"...
I think that's the headache. Playing three events is frowned upon so if she gets singles (and team by default then), she might have to give up mixed doubles. If she plays mixed doubles (and team by default), she may have to give up singles. But still many months left in 2019 so really hard to say.
That's true. Sorry I forgot about her being the champion because she just did so badly during the last three sets earlier on. OTOH if CM wins, Ma Lin will be busy and probably torn helping her and LSW prepare for the finals since they now share the same coach.
Seems like the favourites for Olympics will be Liu Shiwen, Chen Meng and Wang Manyu after the WTTC. DN crumbled during her SF w WMY during Qatar and now against LSW.
LSW was testing the waters. To add salt to the wound, she hasn't even utilised her high toss serve the entire match due to the lighting and DN had so much trouble with her hook serve already. But the finals will be tough.
I actually think Doo has the best chance. CM doesn't seem to be in impeccable form, losing unnecessary points and dropping sets to far less decorated players throughout the championship (as of 25 Apr). Kato might have the element of surprise considering she has never met Liu Shiwen on the...
Because Men's Doubles is not a standalone event in the Olympics, merely one of the five matches in the team event. Mixed Doubles is the exact opposite. If XX was younger, he probably would take part in all three (which I think he did for one of the Opens last year) but age is a real issue I believe.
For instance? Not seeing any terribly interesting match-ups for 23 April. Perhaps the following?
Women's Singles
- Doo Hoi Kem vs Yoo Eunchong (I remember her as the dark horse during Qatar Open, beating Hina Hayata)
Men's Singles
- Truls Moregard vs Ho Kwan Kit
- Tom Jarvis vs Yoshimura...
Some interesting short clips from the CNT's pre-WTTC training in Austria.
Ma Long vs Liu Shiwen
http://t.cn/EXSbQA6?m=4361660166083418&u=1002861732
Ma Long vs Ding Ning
http://t.cn/EXaBG4F?m=4361650242361586&u=1002861732
Lin Gaoyuan vs Wang Manyu...