I just realise Fuzhou does not speak Hokkien!! I didn't know. Please say Kung Hei Fat Choy to him during Chinese New Year and ask for Lai See on my behalf. Thanks.
If Chen Long is at the top of his game, he is still the best player in the world. LD and LCW are probably too old to really play up to Chen Long's level. I suspect Chen Long lost a little motivation after his Olympic win. Viktor was gambling too many shots at the net. I know Viktor doesn't want to lift, but those were really hard net shots and Chen Long was waiting for Viktor at the net. I think Viktor should have varied his shots a little at the net, to keep Chen Long guessing. Also, I think Viktor still has stamina issues. I hope he can overcome his stamina issues because he is so young and this won't be good for him as he ages.
We haven't seen Chen Long played against Srikant Kidambi yet. For all we know they both could be on par.
Viktor did a favour to the cute CL by not taking the title. Good friends indeed. They spoke during the handshake. Wonder its in English or Mandarin. Viktor's time will cone.
Hope Chen Long carries his momentum forward next week at the Hong Kong Open. Don't relax. Keep going. Qualify for Dubai SSF and win it.
Let's say I don't have to speak to you in English when I see you in Hong Kong. How's your volleyball?
VA 's strategy was all wrong today.... when CL is in such retrieving form....u cant depend on ur netgame for the entire match.....and try to smash at the first opportunity.It worked at the midpoint of the 2nd game.VA couldnt keep it up for the entire match.. The strat must be to have an unpredictable smashes using more clears and unpredictable smashes like KS did in Aus open final,LCW in one of the AE finals. VA needs to improve his fitness to play this strategy...or he will lose to CL ...very often.
His Rio form could only be beaten by prime GOAT LD, a level the current KS or VA hasnt yet reached. Lets see if VA, KS or KM can be god mode like this two in the future.
Srikant Kidambi never played at the level that LD and LCW were playing at, before the 2016 Olympics, and during the 2016 Olympics. LD has regressed even further since the Olympics. LCW has been going downhill since early this year. Only Chen Long played up to LD's and LCW's level, before/during the 2016 Olympics. And Chen Long is not too old yet. Because Chen Long is not too old yet, and assuming he is injury free, Chen Long is capable of regaining his 2016 Olympic form. I don't think Srikanth has reached the level of Chen Long's 2016 Olympic form yet. If Chen Long is motivated, he is the best player in the world. Viktor is probably the closest to Chen Long, but there is still a gap, IMO.