Li Xuerui ( 李雪芮 )

[cobalt]

She still plays better than Wang Shixian at least....and furthermore she has the speed and attacking ability to score fast points.

The only weakness i see in her is her backhand clearance...she should work on that.

I have watched quite a few of LXR's matches on video, and I think she and her coaches are doing the right thing.

She is not afraid to use her backhand in marginal situations where she could have injected a bit of speed in her movement to use her forehand. She usually does this in matches where she is reasonably confident she can get away with losing a point, if that happens. This shows that she wants to experiment in match situations, and this is a good thing for a young player, because it will strengthen her play and eventually give her another potent weapon in her arsenal.

Yes, she is doing the right thing with her backhand. In any case, it is stronger than most other WS players', so if I were ZN, I would encourage LXR to continue using her backhand whenever she feels confident enough to work it.

[Justin L]

I just finished watching LXR's UC match against Bella of Indonesia. LXR looked distinctly flustered and out of her comfort zone in many parts of the match. Her choice of shots at times was pedestrian, her consistency lacking, her composure was under severe examination. She has really exposed some of the flaws and drawbacks in her game during the course of this match.

Credit of course to young Bella for taking it to LXR; she ran her close in the second game, and it was down to match fitness, physical strength and Bella's (almost) non-existent backhand that LXR scraped through in straight games. I think Bella's touch and finesse, and willingness to try unconventional tactics agaisnt her much fancied and higher-ranked opponent flustered LXR.

All in all it was a good learning experience for both players. One thing LXR has demonstrated she has more than almost any other contemporary WS player in the world today is her ability to focus, and remain in her bubble. Now she needs to add the ability to innovate and adapt between points. It will widen the gap between her and other players. There were many glimpses of her willingness to try new stuff in this match; but can she afford to experiment much more at this point in time, with the OG around the corner?

Anyway, LXR is in good hands. I just hope they don't overwork her. It would be a pity if she runs out of steam at the critical time.

Yes,I get your drift,that match made me say during the UC that she passed the team event test but not with flying colours. But,luckily,I believe that one match isn't typical or representative of her, she could and did play much better than that before. I won't let it worry me too much, I trust her coaches know her well enough what to do,she has room for improvement and has yet to reach her full potential. She is still relatively young and new at 21, there is only one way for her to go, up that is.

[Justin L]

According to BWF ranking, LXR today has just overtaken WSX as WR#3 ,another step closer to the top !

[Satoshi]

Just checked, you're even faster then me! LXR has over taken WSX to ranked 3 in the world. Say bye to WSX for her tickets to London Olympics.

[axl886]

How do you pronounce her name? I swear every commentator has their own version ... She must get annoyed at the umpires a lot

Something like Lee "She-yeah"(1 fast tone) Ray actually.

[cobalt]

CBA have withdrawn LXR from this year's Singapore Open SS. They have also withdrawn Wang Xin and Wang Shixian.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...205042/1/.html

[Loh]

CBA have withdrawn LXR from this year's Singapore Open SS. They have also withdrawn Wang Xin and Wang Shixian.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...205042/1/.html

A real disappointment when the MS WR1 & 2 are also not playing. Too bad the tournament is timed too close to LOG. I wonder who's coming and who are the other dropouts? Hope my season ticket is not useless.

[Miqilin7]

CBA have withdrawn LXR from this year's Singapore Open SS. They have also withdrawn Wang Xin and Wang Shixian.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...205042/1/.html

WHY!!! Why cant they just let Wang Shixian play ?! She is not going to the Olympics anyway...CBA!

[Justin L]

Aww, what a letdown, no LD, LCW and Chen Long, now no LXR, WX and WSX, not even Wang Lin.

Obviously, LYB cannot let WSX play,that would be revealing his cards too soon when the LOG name list is yet to be finalised. Jiang YJ is left alone to hold the fort with perhaps a few second-stringers ( Han Li, Chen Xiaojia,maybe Sun Yu who is now in the Chinese National Team, I read?)

[cobalt]

A real disappointment when the MS WR1 & 2 are also not playing. Too bad the tournament is timed too close to LOG. I wonder who's coming and who are the other dropouts? Hope my season ticket is not useless.

Well, you cannot drop out, Loh! We're all banking on you for blow-by-blow accounts, as well as news and views!

[chris-ccc]

Aww, what a letdown, no LD, LCW and Chen Long, now no LXR, WX and WSX, not even Wang Lin.

Obviously, LYB cannot let WSX play,that would be revealing his cards too soon when the LOG name list is yet to be finalised. Jiang YJ is left alone to hold the fort with perhaps a few second-stringers ( Han Li, Chen Xiaojia,maybe Sun Yu who is now in the Chinese National Team, I read?)

.
Perhaps the booing at the top CHN players at the 2011 Singapore Open are still ringing loud in LYB's ears.
.

[laonong]

.
Perhaps the booing at the top CHN players at the 2011 Singapore Open are still ringing loud in LYB's ears.
.

So it's a punishment from LYB

[Qidong]

WHY!!! Why cant they just let Wang Shixian play ?! She is not going to the Olympics anyway...CBA!

WSX still has a slim chance going to London. But why Wang Lin? Playing in a SS should help her come back.

[chris-ccc]

So it's a punishment from LYB

.
No, we cannot say that LYB is punishing and/or ruining everything.

He is only charting the best course for our CHN players to participate in tournaments.
.

[Loh]

Well, you cannot drop out, Loh! We're all banking on you for blow-by-blow accounts, as well as news and views!

Don't worry we have many young and capable replacements. I'm sure our regular BC reporter from KL will once again do service from atop the stadium to send out prompt and regular reports. He has no one to disturb him, so he can concentrate.

As for the absence of the top CHN players, I think LYB is still not happy that his blue-eyed boy was booed by SIN fans last year when LD gave a walk over to CJ. We all know the reason.

[cobalt]

Don't worry we have many young and capable replacements. I'm sure our regular BC reporter from KL will once again do service from atop the stadium to send out prompt and regular reports. He has no one to disturb him, so he can concentrate.

Ha! I can picture it now: On the roof with laptop, linked by a strong cable to the huge antenna, braving the winds and sun to sned out signals and messages to the legions of BC troops all arond the wolrd!

As for the absence of the top CHN players, I think LYB is still not happy that his blue-eyed boy was booed by SIN fans last year when LD gave a walk over to CJ. We all know the reason.

It crossed my mind, too. I wouldn't be surprised to find out you are right. This is all the fault of those morons over at BWF. Chris' crusade for an International Badminton Player's Federation is beginning to look more and more attractive to me, frankly.

[Loh]

Ha! I can picture it now: On the roof with laptop, linked by a strong cable to the huge antenna, braving the winds and sun to sned out signals and messages to the legions of BC troops all arond the wolrd!

It crossed my mind, too. I wouldn't be surprised to find out you are right. This is all the fault of those morons over at BWF. Chris' crusade for an International Badminton Player's Federation is beginning to look more and more attractive to me, frankly.

With TH as the inaugural President perhaps.
On second thoughts, to be effective negotiating with BWF, we may need a veteran who is fluent in English. And PG comes to mind immediately.