World Tour Grand Finals 2018

[usualsuspect]

ML or FZD. Would be a great final. I don't think anyone else bar XX has much of a chance. LJK, LGY etc could...but not likely imo.

Judging from LJK's recent performance in Chinese Super League and World Tour, he would be a tough opponent for anyone, including ML, FZD, and XX. His skill has progressed to such a level that there's no obvious weakness to be exploited. I'm surprised that LJK didn't get more votes.

 

[jawien]

So ... participation/rating wise it's like 29:3 to Asia (14 China) vs the Rest of the World ... says humble European ... : )

 

[zeio]

European = endangered species. No wonder the ITTF believes changing the structure is the way forward, after all these rule changes do all these years are weaken the competitions outside China, not even Asia.

 

[FunnyBunny]

see the votes,honey?

 

[FruitLoop]

European = endangered species. No wonder the ITTF believes changing the structure is the way forward, after all these rule changes do all these years are weaken the competitions outside China, not even Asia.

Yep it's worrying. And no sign of new Timo or Dima's on the horizon. Maybe Truls but that's it and he's still a long way from a sure thing.

 

[TTHopeful]

Can anyone attend the star awards?

 

[TTHopeful]

Ma Long has withdrawn !! No! Hope Liam Pitchford takes his place

 

[Danny21312]

Ma Long has withdrawn !! No! Hope Liam Pitchford takes his place

Yuya Oshima did. If someone else withdraws then Pitchford takes their place.

 

[zeio]

ITTF punishment for boycott, help boost ticket sales for 2018.

Austrian Open
Boosting ticket sales, check.
Withdraw.

Swedish Open
Boosting ticket sales, check.
Withdraw.

Grand Finals
Boosting ticket sales, check.
Withdraw.

 

[Atas Newton]

Well that sucks, was hoping to see them all battle it out.

 

[vik]

Ma long withdraw again. Does he want to retire?

 

[RidTheKid]

Yes that really took some of the wind out of this tournament for me. There is certainly gonna be amazing tt played anyway but the prestige by having all the best players makes it something special. And Ma Long is by far my favorite player so it sucks

Well that sucks, was hoping to see them all battle it out.

 

[RidTheKid]

Ma Long is injured. I doubt he wants to be injured.

Ma long withdraw again. Does he want to retire?

 

[vik]

But he plays chinese superleague. I suspect he will withdraw on Wttc 2019 and then announces retirement

 

[shinshiro]

ML played Chinese Superleague less than two weeks ago and seemed to be in good form (has beaten LGY, FB...)
So it is a new injure then? Anyone knows more details about it?
I don't want to make it sound like a conspiracy theory, but it really is strange

 

[RidTheKid]

Maybe he came back too soon from injury and got re-injured. He's aiming for Tokyo 2020 and becoming the only player in history with double olympic gold medal in singles.

But he plays chinese superleague. I suspect he will withdraw on Wttc 2019 and then announces retirement

 

[Free bird]

ML has had knee injuries for some time now. Playing in the super league didn’t help the recovery for sure, nor does the cold weather. Feel sorry for the guy and his fans. Harimoto now becomes the no. 4 seed and will not meet FZD, XX, or LJK till the semi.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

normally some years CNT doesn't care too much about GF, and some years like 2018, they have a whopping 6 male and 8 female qualifying. Is this a record?
obviously with ML's injury, he has withdrawn again, making it 5+8 still

 

[Free bird]

I would think so. This has every thing to do with the new ranking scheme.
The Chinese central TV will broadcast every game for the grand final this time, which is rare. Maybe LGL is starting to have some effect?

 

[ping fun]

Although CNT's members like Ding ning , Zhang jike , Xu xin and Liu shiwen went to Macao for some activities just Ma long as a main member didnt go with his teammates and I thought maybe he's training for Grand Final but it seems he had injury