That could be correct. I actually made the assumption he sandbagged so Ma Long would be overconfident if they met in the WTTC finals. I thought he was basically thinking he controlled the match and then let ML take it all the while knowing he had the match under control. I thought it was psychological warfare. But then ZJK injured his shoulder in the WTTC and didn't get to the finals.
In the semis vs Fang Bo I thought he may have sandbagged knowing he could not give Ma Long a real match with the shoulder injury. But Fang Bo also played pretty darn well.
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From a specific perspective all these seem logical but from another one they also seem like conspiracy theories. I dont know if ZJK wanted ML to be overconfident, it doesnt seem reasonable to me because they have nothing else to hide from each other. I think the most logical explanation is that ZJK was tired or injured and wanted to finish the match quickly (im talking about the german open)
This was the 2nd match that ZJK gave away to ML the first one was in the 2013 pro tour grand finals. ZJK was again leading 2-0, and then totally made some rushed shots and eventually lost 4-3.
I think he didnt need to give the match away to ML because ma long (im talking about the german open) will simply never be overconfident even if he achieves a double grand slam and I think ZJK knows that and has psyched him 100% those two matches are a perfect example.
I mean look at the last point of world cup against FZD, ML plays as the world champion, he leads 3-0 and 10-8 and his legs start hopping and shaking just too much for a slow point like that. It is a clear indication that ML always is anxious at crucial points, even if he totally dominates a match, the funny thing is that people thought that his mentality would change after he clinched the world title but I believe it didnt actually do much.
In the end I believe that ML is just too humble , insecure and with unrealistic expectations of himself which is in great contrast with what he has achieved so far. On the other hand ZJK has a more realistic and logical approach to the game and he accepts defeat without putting any pressure on himself afterwards.
Those matches german open 2015 pro tour grands 2013 chinese trials 2014 are a perfect example that if ZJK figures out how to play an opponent, he then feels in total control of the game , he bites and simply never lets go. Same situation goes with ZJK against wang hao, wang hao dominated a younger ZJK but after the 2009 chinese champs final the only important match ZJK lost was his 2010 world cup final. His only weakness has always been his impatience