Fitness is a big part of badminton. Not taking anything away from LXR, she is a professional that can go the distance. IR legs were dead today, it was frustrating to watch she had empty tank and would have been beaten easy by any top player. Yesterday completely different to watch obviously, put win and lose to the side.
Let's see if Jan can play his best game against Tago as he usually could against LD, LCW and CL. Same goes for Tago.
As of today, I don,t see any WS player has the ability or potential challenging her. If she possess the calmness of Zhang Ning, she will be unbeatable.
RI had already over achieved by beating WSX. RI is at least a level below LXR, the result of today's match reflects that.
WSX' game isn't pressing or threatening to IR, relying more on frustrating and wearing down the opponent, whereas LXR's fast-paced game, as Morten Frost said just now, is uncomfortable for IR who finds it a bit difficult to cope at times. As for fitness, LXR is not known for her stamina (sometimes suspect even) and added to the fact that she's playing full back-to-back tournaments, has no advantage over IR. IR, though still young, is considered an experienced player, having been in the int'l circuit for about 5 years more or less. If lack of fitness is her problem, it's high time she and her coaches do some serious work on it. I remember WSX once complained of fitness problem but she has sorted it out. Professional athletes ought to know better. For Sun Yu, her inexperience told coupled with obvious nervousness or overeagerness to win, she completely lost it playing like an amateur against IR. I've watched most of Sun Yu's games, I know what she's capable of. Let's see how she handles Saina next week at the AUS Open, I'm looking forward to it.
That may be but even LXR was surprised how easy it was, and she has played and knows IR's game. The only thing today reflected was that IR has not worked on her stamina issues, that has always been a problem for her.
RI has the skill to be #2 if she really working on her fitness and making the right decisions. I wish she does well also.
WTF, There goes my gardening and groceries for this week. Luckily I took a quick nap during the WS final.
Tago got similar problem today(same as in France final) , only half explosiveness today after tough LCW match, and you need to attack Jan O to win.
What an exciting match. Fast and furious unlike the current old man's slow lobs and lobs. Changing of guards.
I'd say Saina is playing better than IR atm, she even beat her at the Uber Cup last month. And when I looked back at all the players IR lost to since the WC'13, it's quite telling. Offhand, the list includes LXR, WYH, WSX, Han Li, Liu Xin, Bae YJ, Akane Y, Saina Nehwal, whose name have I missed ? I suspect fitness may not be her only issue and it doesn't reflect well on her to keep giving this excuse (how did she win the WC then ?), I think her style which used to catch many by surprise has lost much of its effect. I recall WSX's unusual style once rule for a period of time until more and more of her opponents started to figure her out. IR had better take heed of Morten's advice and go back to the drawing board; fitness is not the major issue and can be fixed. Otherwise, she may become more style than substance.
