Did Samsonov have the worst draw of all time in 1997

[anchorschmidt]

I mean look at this. He had to beat 3 CHINESE players, Wang Liqin, Ding Song and Kong Linghui, the latter who was the previous World Champion and then he comes across Waldner in the finals who was beating everyone 3-0 at the time.

 

[Tinykin]

By your list, Waldner had Primorac, Gatien, Yan Sen, all at the top of their game at the time. Wang Liqin had not yet peaked and Ding Son was a defender. Pure defenders have never breached the very top of TT since the invention of the loop. OK, Schoeler just lost on a net ball.
I'd say they both had it about even with Waldner having it slightly easier on paper.
But the fact was that Samsonov was playing some unbelievable TT at that time also, he was the world's best player at the tournament. He just came across a Waldner in his best ever form.

 

[Persistence TT]

From that point of view, whoever participated in the 1997 world championship except waldner was simply unlucky . He just wouldnt lose that one

 

[anchorschmidt]

I guess the Chinese and European players were much closer together in terms of ability. Therefore, the WTTC was difficult from anyone's point of view as more players had a chance of winning the title instead of the 3 chinese players who play nowadays.