Looking at the Shi Yuqi - Son Wan Ho match just now, I'm quite certain that of the two, SYQ will pose a bigger obstacle to Lin Dan tomorrow, assuming they meet.
If Shi Yuqi can't beat current Lin Dan, the future for MS is very grim indeed. He should view himself as the favourite in this game and aim for straight sets, just like he did with CL and SWH. They are simply not even remotely as good as they used to be and it's high time the younger generation acted on that.
If Wang Tzu Wei read your post, should he hang his head or look admiringly at Lin Dan and vow to emulate the great hero ? I say, Lin Dan, LCW and, if I may add, Lee Hyun Il, are the rare exceptions, not the norm. To me, I view it more as a testament to their unrivalled greatness in an unprecedented era. Just consider how many young rising stars have they separately scalped these few years;for example, it wasn't long ago that LHI bested Viktor and JOJ in the same tourney to wow us all.
If Shi Yuqi can put the mental aspect behind him he can win. I'm wondering who wins during training matches...
I'd like to say to @kwun, that LCW lost to Lin Dan not for lack of trying, but as he himself admitted, he tried to attack Lin Dan many times but was repeatedly repulsed as reported here https://www.nst.com.my/sports/badminton/2018/03/346210/chong-wei-unperturbed-despite-loss-lin-dan (an extract follows) Chong Wei accepted the defeat and admitted that Lin Dan was the better player, though he promised to bounce back to his brilliant best especially for the Commonwealth Games. “I tried to carry out attacking moves but he defended well and managed to return all my shots. My match strategy just wasn’t working during the match and he prevailed,” said the 36-year-old player.
I believe winning this AE title means more to Shu Yuqi than Lin Dan , and it'll be very encouraging for CBA if he can prove himself worthy of taking heavier duties and , possibly , succeeding Lin Dan soon. Xia Xuanze would be mighty pleased to see that happening as he's fully aware the days of pinning their hopes on Lin Dan at the majors, in particular team championships, are running out, if not already over.
I think we are in line here. I didn't say he didn't try, but there lack some speed and fire, and initiative. He did have his fair share of attack but not good enough compared to his former self. perhaps our expectations is too high, they are uncles already.
it was a very impressive uncle vs uncle match. a glimpse of their former glory but fading very fast indeed. but nonetheless, it was still very much a look and feel like a LCW/LD match!
LD vs HYX match has yet to be played! let's see how much juice is left in LD's legs today. but whoever the winner end up, I hope it will be an all out, no hold barred match.
Huang Yuxiang will need this AE victory badly to reinforce his position in CBA and strengthen his future in badminton. Be rest assured, he has a lot to gain and it's the golden opportunity not to be missed against the aged Lin Dan. Furthermore, Lin Dan has a score to settle with HYX for that shock defeat at the CBSL. The two protagonists will go all out.
