Because LCW doesn't have the stamina to attack all tournament. This is why LD changed to a defensive style. Players above 33 years of age have to conserve their stamina and energy if they want to win the tournament.
What an upset... What an achievement by Brice Leverdez! Im really shocked about LCWs mentality, so fragile once more... After he somehow fought back in game 2, I thought he would make it. esp. after a good lead in the third and then nerves creeped in again. Ofc Brice played awesome, enjoying himself, the total opposite to lcw. Sad for the tournament imho. Why? Bc we lost one of the greatest stars. And in later stages of the tournament the best vs. the best normally produce the best / sometimes legendary matches. I fear this quarter and even half of the draw loses some spice bc surely everyone wanted to see a CL-LCW QF. I fear most other line-ups wont nearly produce the same thrill and excitment. It also makes it way more easy for CL... And the up and coming JAP MX also lost... I really enjoyed their style, but their journey already ended. More upsets to come surely
You could argue that he played badly but, imho, not so badly that he couldn't take out Brice under normal circumstances, if not for the fact that Brice played above himself. In fact, after Brice gifted the two deuce points in G2, I'd thought it'd be over for him as I really expected LCW to come roaring back, but to Brice's credit,he kept it up to the very end.
The question is , is it better , considering LCW's form here, for him to lose sensationally to Brice Leverdez playing the match of his life, or to lose to Chen Long once again in a major championship albeit in the QFs ?
galayduo has a valid point, LCW, unlike wine, can't get better with age, something's got to give if he continues to play aggressive , fast-paced attacking game throughout a match, not to say the entire tournament. He realistically has to make changes to his game that takes into account his growing age and current physical condition. Let's face, when even Lin Dan recognised the need to tweak his game to a more rallying, stroke kind of play, how could anyone else not expect to do the same as age catches up ?
Better lose right away if he is playing like in Indonesia Open. Sad for him. Starts with a bang at All England, ends with a whimper at WC.
3 sets with each set going the full distance and the 2nd set going to tie breaker. You really think an almost 35 year old player isn't at a disadvantage against a 31 year old player in stamina when so many points and sets are played?
Whilst I agree with your point I don't think it applies to this match. Have you seen it? LCW lost because he played too passive and made too many unforced errors. Don't tell me he had stamina issues from first point onwards. Have you seen the match? You could tell it was decided on a psychological level.
I don't think stamina is the problem here. Chong Wei is one of the most fittest player ever. It is just his mentality and shot selection that failed him. It is only R1, I don't think he could have spent so much stamina in one match after resting for almost two months and heavy drills.
Yep, agree. Their match at last year's All England was entertaining and fun. Plus, both of them are retrieving player which makes it more interesting.