ML has indirectly admitted the previous Olympic cycle was a much weaker era in the
early part of the interview before Tokyo 2020 that I didn't translate.
https://sports.sina.com.cn/others/pingpang/2021-06-20/doc-ikqciyzk0770318.shtml
When asked how he prepared for the Tokyo Olympics, Ma Long said: "As for me, the overall level of foreign players is actually much higher than in the previous cycle. If you ask me now, I could probably name a few off the top of my head. I think they are at the same level as us. Therefore, in terms of pressure from these players, I think these very players alone will give me a handful."
Either way, ML had a fantastic draw here. The players he named specifically, Harimoto, Lin Yun-Ju, Pitchford, Darko and Pucar were drawn far from him. Jorgic alone took out Pitchford and Harimoto. Ignoring that, Harimoto would have to get past Lin Yun-Ju to meet FZD.
FZD/JYS/Boll - 1st 1/16th
Harimoto/LYJ/Pitchford/Jorgic - 2nd 1/16th
Pucar - 3rd 1/16th
ML - 4th 1/16th
FZD : ML :: ML : WH. Simple as that. The players ML had trouble with were denied by his teammate and others.