Ma Long is the most deserving player for 2012 Olympics

[YosuaYosan]

Want to see Ma Long's mental strength on such event

 

[Camarão®]

Ma Long is in, otherwise if such a bad thing happen with him. The other spot will be between ZJK and Wang Hao (LGL baby).

 

[PlasmaLight]

I don't have problems with Zhang Jike and Ma Long in the Olympics... They're on top of the game right now!
But I'm kinda doubting on Wang Hao. he's been too depressed lately..... i dunno..
Xu Xin was soo close to beating Wang Hao.. He's a good option also.
And the fact that Xu Xin played 7 games with Wang Hao means they're like "on the same level" right now.. I dunno..

yeah but xu xin hahas to win some tournements or just reaching the finals. but he often failed in the quarterfinals. thats not enough

 

[david93fcb]

I've been saying this for months now, I'm fully convinced that LGL will send the two players with the best chance of beating Timo Boll.
That would automatically book ZJK a place and suggests a huge fight between Ma Long and Wang Hao, I do agree that Ma Long has deserved the participation at the Olympics though.

 

[WiWa]

I've been saying this for months now, I'm fully convinced that LGL will send the two players with the best chance of beating Timo Boll.
That would automatically book ZJK a place and suggests a huge fight between Ma Long and Wang Hao, I do agree that Ma Long has deserved the participation at the Olympics though.

I think Ma Long in his current form hasn't played Boll, but he should crush him. ZJK seems to match up well against him indeed. He has trouble against Ovcharov though. But Wang Hao even lost to Ovcharov So there is probably more to consider than just Boll.

 

[scylla24]

yes scylla is right. but you cant nominate a folling star, when there is a growing star, only for the reason, that wang hao maybe will win 4-2 against boll and zhang jike only 4-3 or some stupid stuff wang hao becomes weaker and weaker ... and zhang jike stronger and stronger. thats it

I mean, I wouldn't say Wang Hao is really that weak.... at least not against the non-Chinese players. In fact, Wang Hao actually probably does better against Ma Long, Wang Liqin, than ZJK. ZJK despite beating WLQ pretty badly recently still has lost to him in the recent past. He also lost to Ma Lin in the Super League I think twice or something. Though Wang Hao also does badly against Ma Lin. Wang Hao has shown the ability to beat Ma Long in the big tournaments when he really really places a lot of effort on practicing, whereas ZJK hasn't really been able to beat Ma Long in big or small tournaments.

 

[scylla24]

I don't have problems with Zhang Jike and Ma Long in the Olympics... They're on top of the game right now!
But I'm kinda doubting on Wang Hao. he's been too depressed lately..... i dunno..
Xu Xin was soo close to beating Wang Hao.. He's a good option also.
And the fact that Xu Xin played 7 games with Wang Hao means they're like "on the same level" right now.. I dunno..

I definitely don't know about that, Xu Xin's game is too erratic. When he is at the top of it, he is unbeatable, but when he isn't he loses to mediocre players. I am unsure about his ability to beat Octarchov when it counts, and earlier this year he lost to one of the young koreans.

Xu Xin, just doesn't seem to make a lot of good decisions in game, and relies more on his physical gifts.

 

[PlasmaLight]

I dont think, that Boll is the biggest problem. he performes not very well at the moment and has injuries.
but we will see, what happens in 2012. maybe zhang or ma get an injury or something. we dont know.

 

[WiWa]

I dont think, that Boll is the biggest problem. he performes not very well at the moment and has injuries.
but we will see, what happens in 2012. maybe zhang or ma get an injury or something. we dont know.

I agree. Even the World Team Championships are 2-3 months before the Olympics, so they will probably focus on that first. A lot can happen in half a year, I don't know when they have to make up the final list of players though.

 

[david93fcb]

I dont think, that Boll is the biggest problem. he performes not very well at the moment and has injuries.
but we will see, what happens in 2012. maybe zhang or ma get an injury or something. we dont know.

Boll is definitely the major threat to the Chinese. They of course take players like Jun, Joo, etc. into account but Boll was the only player who broke into their phalanx at this year's WTTC and as LGL once said, as long as Timo Boll is around, he'll not sleep well at night.
@Wiwa, I don't think Timo would stand much of a chance against Ma Long in this form, either, but he tends to play worse on bigger occasions and has lost to Boll several times. LGL is well aware of that and will not have forgotten about their match at the last Team WTTC.

 

[PlasmaLight]

Boll is definitely the major threat to the Chinese. They of course take players like Jun, Joo, etc. into account but Boll was the only player who broke into their phalanx at this year's WTTC and as LGL once said, as long as Timo Boll is around, he'll not sleep well a night.

hm boll just won against chen qi and failed then against zhang jike clearly. and chen qi is easy to beat (for a chinese player). so if you just look at the wttc, tojan bokic will be the biggest rival

 

[ttmonster]

I don't know if you noticed this ... from what I saw ... Ma Long used Wang Hao's "pocket" to throw him off from his game ... this is a little bit weird because Penholders are not supposed to have pockets but seems like Wang Hao does because he prefers the RPB .. so I think its more a matter of fitness .. since he needs to step around more .. so a little bit of LGL's stick might get him back in shape .. at this point Xu Xin does not count because of the obvious reasons .. unpredictability and too much dependence on physicality ..... Jike is a tough nut .... its a case of love - hate relationship with LGL and because of his performances LGL can't ignore him and that what pisses him off so much .... Ma Long is the other obvious choice at this moment ...

 

[Dan]

Boll is definitely the major threat to the Chinese. They of course take players like Jun, Joo, etc. into account but Boll was the only player who broke into their phalanx at this year's WTTC and as LGL once said, as long as Timo Boll is around, he'll not sleep well a night.
@Wiwa, I don't think Timo would stand much of a chance against Ma Longin this form, either, but he tends to play worse on bigger occasions and has lost to Boll several times. LGL is well aware of the Team WTTC 2010

If Boll was to win the London 2012 Olympics it would be one of the biggest sporting acheivements in history. I know that China can only send 2 players in the singles, which I belive will be Zhang Jike (for sure) and Ma Long (as he deserves a shot). Wang Hao has had two Olympics in his belt, and choked twice could we say?

So, yeah I will be routing Boll, I hope he is fully fit.

 

[david93fcb]

hm boll just won against chen qi and failed then against zhang jike clearly. and chen qi is easy to beat (for a chinese player). so if you just look at the wttc, tojan bokic will be the biggest rival

Ich fürchte, ich kann deiner Argumentation nicht ganz folgen..
Dan, I fully agree with you. Zhang Jike is almost flawless against non-Chinese players so we could take his participation for granted if nothing changes significantly in the next months.
Wang has indeed lost a lot of credit due to his performances at the Olympics. It will be thrilling to see who prevails in the race for the second spot. I'd be happy either way, Ma Long has gained a lot of credit over the last half year.

 

[paras.oriental]

If Boll was to win the London 2012 Olympics it would be one of the biggest sporting acheivements in history. I know that China can only send 2 players in the singles, which I belive will be Zhang Jike (for sure) and Ma Long (as he deserves a shot). Wang Hao has had two Olympics in his belt, and choked twice could we say?

So, yeah I will be routing Boll, I hope he is fully fit.

Ya boll could be a major threat to chinese players.. But as per the current forms of the 2 machos ( Zjk nd Ma ) i dnt think he stands far in their way to win the olympics..

ALso in the next 6 months whatever the conditions changes... Ma or Zjk is gonna crush him out of the way ... Boll can fight for 3 place or for 2nd max.

 

[WiWa]

Ya boll could be a major threat to chinese players.. But as per the current forms of the 2 machos ( Zjk nd Ma ) i dnt think he stands far in their way to win the olympics..

ALso in the next 6 months whatever the conditions changes... Ma or Zjk is gonna crush him out of the way ... Boll can fight for 3 place or for 2nd max.

I wonder how that goes with the seedings. If Boll is 2nd seed, would he need zjk to be 4th seed in order to avoid both of them until the final? I believe no. 1 and 4 are in the 1st half of the scheme and no. 2 and 3 in the 2nd half right? Or is this different at Olympics?

 

[Steven]

After winning the Grand Finals, Ma Long just completed his last four months as undefeated and has won six singles titles. Despite this amazing performance, Ma Long managed to remain humble and was realistic enough to say that he will soon taste defeat. "Actually I didn't mean for that to happen and I know that sooner or later that I will also lose. So I try to put down all the unnecessary burdens and try to play one match at a time," Ma Long responded.

Hmmm...

 

[scylla24]

Boll is definitely the major threat to the Chinese. They of course take players like Jun, Joo, etc. into account but Boll was the only player who broke into their phalanx at this year's WTTC and as LGL once said, as long as Timo Boll is around, he'll not sleep well a night.
@Wiwa, I don't think Timo would stand much of a chance against Ma Long in this form, either, but he tends to play worse on bigger occasions and has lost to Boll several times. LGL is well aware of that and will not have forgotten about their match at the last Team WTTC.

I actually don't even know anymore. There is no doubt that he used to be, but from the results of this year, and just how things are going, the Chinese team have studied Boll so much, and have played him enough that they are used to his game. None of the new Chinese players really have problems playing Boll anymore. I actually think mizutani causes more problems for some of the Chinese players more than Boll. Ovtarchov, and then the three young korean players all cause more of a problem for the Chinese players if for no other reason than they have played these players less and thus are less accustomed to their games, as opposed to Boll's game.

 

[WiWa]

I actually don't even know anymore. There is no doubt that he used to be, but from the results of this year, and just how things are going, the Chinese team have studied Boll so much, and have played him enough that they are used to his game. None of the new Chinese players really have problems playing Boll anymore. I actually think mizutani causes more problems for some of the Chinese players more than Boll. Ovtarchov, and then the three young korean players all cause more of a problem for the Chinese players if for no other reason than they have played these players less and thus are less accustomed to their games, as opposed to Boll's game.

Hard to say indeed. Boll hasn't been in good shape lately, so it is probably hard to judge. He might revive next year and be their biggest nightmare again.

 

[Dan]

Ich fürchte, ich kann deiner Argumentation nicht ganz folgen..
Dan, I fully agree with you. Zhang Jike is almost flawless against non-Chinese players so we could take his participation for granted if nothing changes significantly in the next months.
Wang has indeed lost a lot of credit due to his performances at the Olympics. It will be thrilling to see who prevails in the race for the second spot. I'd be happy either way, Ma Long has gained a lot of credit over the last half year.

Yeah this is very true, we also have to realise Ma Long had an ankle injury which effected his performance before. Now he is fully recovered he is back to his best which we saw him in last year. If he can maintain it, I think he will continue to improve as he has the burning desire to achieve a major! His ultimate dream I’m sure!

I wonder how that goes with the seedlings. If Boll is 2nd seed, would he need zjk to be 4th seed in order to avoid both of them until the final? I believe no. 1 and 4 are in the 1st half of the scheme and no. 2 and 3 in the 2nd half right? Or is this different at Olympics?

Very good point! Well the 1 and 2 seeds I am sure will be China. However if Timo Boll can reach number 2 again before the Olympics perhaps he could miss a Chinese player to the final??

I actually don't even know anymore. There is no doubt that he used to be, but from the results of this year, and just how things are going, the Chinese team have studied Boll so much, and have played him enough that they are used to his game. None of the new Chinese players really have problems playing Boll anymore. I actually think mizutani causes more problems for some of the Chinese players more than Boll. Ovtarchov, and then the three young Korean players all cause more of a problem for the Chinese players if for no other reason than they have played these players less and thus are less accustomed to their games, as opposed to Boll's game.

This is very true Scylla. The Chinese have studied Boll so much. It did not help the fact they saw him in the Chinese Super League. Even the young players like Fang Bo took Boll close and beat him on an occasion if my memory is correct. Mizutani and Ovtcharov are proving very strong against the Chinese that’s for sure aswell as the Koreans.

I believe if Wang Hao was selected for the singles, its not certain for sure in him making semi's if he reaches lets say Ovtcharov in the Quarters. Whereas we can pretty much guarantee Zhang Jike and Ma Long will defeat all non-Chinese players on a average general basis...

Hard to say indeed. Boll hasn't been in good shape lately, so it is probably hard to judge. He might revive next year and be their biggest nightmare again.

Boll will be back! He never lets us down WiWa