He seems to take smashes earlier ... less power but faster so less time for Lin Dan to react. His backhand crosscourt smash-returns were great too. Anyway, back to Lin Dan - what was up with him in that match? He didn't seem very comfortable in the first game, physically.
To follow up on this (see bolded), that's how PSH plays. As we know, PSH seems to have given LD a hard time. He's got very sharp and deceptive 1/2 or 3/4 smashes, taken very early. Maybe this is an effective way to neutralize LD.
Can't remember but wasn't there a recent tournament (within the last few months) that PSH pushed LD to the limit. Sorry, memory's a little foggy. Perhaps someone can help out there. Thanks
dont get me wrong, i'm not saying your observation was wrong i'd even say it's refreshing for u to notice that discrepancy Allow me to explain for LD. PSH gave a lotta trouble to LD when PSH first came onto the scene, psh even had beaten LD once or twice before too. LD and coaching staff went to work and found the antibotic for psh. It worked so good that LD took care of PSH in TC and OG. What u observed is credit to KOR's coaches. If u keep doing the same things that failed before, why keep doing it? (see post above about boonsak) I'm sure KOR coaches have observed LD and added a few new arsenal to psh, in hope psh could crack LD's force field. Fortunately for lin dan fans, he is too well polished and has no crack In the life of pro sports, there is no warranty for cracks: Cracks can give one alotta heaches http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77275
Ha, BARELY anyone has cracked LD's defence. My observation, and I'm sure many others', is this particular style has given LD the most trouble. Nothing more, nothing less. Plus you give yourself a better chance if you can match LD's stamina. This is where LCW has been able to hang with LD and extend matches.
It's all relative. Every player's stamina generally decreases with age. Some decrease more and quicker than others. All things being equal, LD still rules because his stamina/skills have eroded less than his competitors'. Being supremely talented doesn't hurt either
My impression is, LD somehow learned how to "concentrate" his stamina into the few tournaments he plays. Also, for those who are saying LD in 2004 cannot be as dominant if he is put in today's MS circuit, remember that, in 2004, LD would not pull out under such situation. That's part of the reason why LD seemed more vulnerable then.
In 2004 there was 3x15 scoring thus placing higher demand on stamina Even if a decrease in LDs stamina has taken place (which I think is unlikely due to the training effort of LD) it has been more than well compansated by todays shorter games due to the rally scoring.. /T
i started badminton late. I will say this, after picking up badminton, my physical condition is at +3X better than when i was in my university years, I can say i'm quicker and stronger than before badminton. And that from playing plastic too LOL, wait until i start on feathers
From a Physical standpoint LD is not "old"... Just an example.. 2004 Lance Armstrong peaked in Tour de france winning by a huge margin.. He was 33 years old at that point, and EXTREME stamina... Lin Dan is only 26 and hardly "over the hill"... Peter Gade is 32, btw.. /Twobeer
age thing Heyyy let me borrow a quote from our founder: now, now, now... let's not get into this touchy subject, shall we?
