The article mentions that in 12 years, and a dozen matches, Niwa has won only once against MA Long (in a minor competition, I think it was the Olympic trial which is more like a friendly game)...
For these guys its difficult to enter the court and convince themselves they have a chance to win. And when, once in a while, they finally have a chance to win, in (great) part because MA Long is not in his best day) when it comes to the crucial moments, they remember their previous defeats and choke. We amateurs all do that all the time as well right ?
Thats why NIWA, ISHIKAWA can't win the Chinese. HIRANO is going on the same path, (but nobody can take what she already achieved so young). MIZUTANI scrapped a few wins at least in his career
Its going to be tough for HARIMOTO but he's on another level and won already many top CNT players several times.