CL had food poisoning too but only on the 1st set. After that, chinese coach gave him some potent chinese antidote and cured his ill. CL also drank some secret elixir just for good measure. The result is and was.. highly predictable
After watching the semi-final between Chen Long and Hafiz at India Open, I would say Chen Long still has a long way to be in top 10, let alone leading the CHN MS.
Maybe the 1st round won came with too much attention and expectation. Sure he has something to be able to beat Chong Wei. Pardon me, but i don't like to see Lin Dan to lead China Team all the way, as much as i don't like Lee Chong Wei to be the only reliable MS for Malaysia.
Chen Long didn't play that well against Hafiz, many unforced errors and couldn't keep his pace up that well. Anyway I think he underperformed in that match, and he is already on a level beating players like Anand Pawar, LTS or Rajiv Ouseph easily and pulling upsets from time to time like against WCH or LCW (food whatever....)) He quickly went from Junior lvl to beating decent senior players consistantly. He will step up and I don't think Hafiz will be able to challenge him any longer next year. Just my 2 cents
CL definitely underperformed in this particular match. As to being the future of Chinese MS, check out the clip in the video forum of the 2009 Chinese Junior Champ, he may be the real deal.
If LeeCW don't give chance to Chen Long, how can he include into China elite squad? Fastest is 2 years??
Coming WC in Aug India, I think coaches should provide some training to players to eating all those curry & dirty food so that their stomach can accustomed to India environment .
I did not watch the game just heard from friends about the game but sorry to say that if Chen Long lost to our Yo Yo is officially mean LCW really food poisoning....
I don't doubt LCW, i never will. But, if he's lost, let's just say he's lost. We should not take the credits from Chen Long for being able to beat a WR1. He did worked for it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- I agree. I also watched the CL/MHH semi-final clash and I noted that CL is not as agile as BCL of China. He had difficulty in retrieving and returning drop shots well and his size is an impediment. I still believe that LCW was felled by food-poisoning and it was no escuse at all. TH had difficulty to beat KBH of Malaysia in the QF clash due to slight tummy upset but he recovered after that to easily beat TS and MHH. This was commented on by the English commentator for TH's match against KBH. Please watch the recording for that match again. --------------------------------------------------------------------------