Exactly, Shi Yuqi knew he could beat Lin Dan only at fitness and stamina, not in skills , something I'm sure all LD's opponents are fully aware of. When Lin Dan won G1, I thought he wanted to please all his fans and Yonex after his China Open fiasco as he said he hoped to play himself into form at the HK Open, but Shi Yuqi had other ideas. Who wouldn't want to beat Lin Dan, including his teammates who admire and envy him? Especially when Lin Dan has nothing to prove, nothing to lose,so why not make the most of the golden opportunity. Good job, Shi Yuqi, the match meant more to you than Lin Dan. Now I really hope Shi Yuqi put up a great fight tomorrow against another great opponent who is old and past his prime, LCW. Put the two previous humiliating defeats behind you, Shi Yuqi, and go for it. You can beat so many of the top 10 players, I don't see why you cannot give LCW a run for his money. Jiayou !
Shi Yuqi knew very well what he was doing. He knew exactly that he cant match Lin Dan in skills, IQ, greatness, game awareness, popularity, handsomeness etc. The only way he could beat Lin Dan was by using his extra years against him. In contrast, Lin Dan was playing to lose. His only thought has been to try and lose every game and match after the Olympics. After having won everything in Badminton, Lin Dan travels from one tournament to another to try and lose because he has a contract with yonex. This contract will make him rich and improve his poor finances. Lin Dan is also working towards a singing career so that he can earn some money for his wife and kid.
I really don't agree with all the talk about LD not caring and even some of the claims that he is playing to lose. You don't become that great without caring very deeply about the game. Even if some of that sheer hunger has dried up because he has won so much, that deep desire to win never dries up. It is an insult to the GOAT that LD is to even think he doesn't care
The way I see it, LD has no gas left in the tank at this stage of the season. Compared to the beginning of the year, his movement and accuracy have dropped off a cliff. It's been the first time in a long time LD's played a "proper" full season (the last one in 2011). Gotta accept that if he is to maintain any kind of competitiveness in events that he does play, he's going to have to adopt a schedule of a semi-retired pro.
Yea, from 2013-2016. This year he went back to playing somewhat a full season though, and seems to be burning out towards the end.
It's stunning how he hasn't qualified for Destination Dubai despite following results. All England - Semi Final Malaysia Open Champion - Champion Badminton Asia Championships- Final Australia Open - Quarter Final World Championships - Final Japan Open - Quarter Final Hong Kong Open - Quarter Final.
Maybe it‘s classified as a SS level tournament, but does it count? Didn‘t see it, neither on LD‘s ranking points nor on Chen Longs.
Link Dan is still strong. When you are on the court next to him and then he hits it, there is nothing to think about except to be "suitably impressed".
i wouldn't consider his schedule this year as regular. if you look at the top 25 ms players the range of tourney's played in the last 52 weeks is 11 to 21. ld played in 12, including sudirman & bac. http://bwfbadminton.com/rankings/2/...es/2017/47?rows=25&page_no=1&player1_id=50906 re. destination dubai: only ss/p's count.