And LD has been existing tournaments arter tournaments early. Seeing him back in final is, rare indeed, and inspiring.
The real test is at the high tier tournaments. If he can produce great results at those tournament, he may have a chance to go to Tokyo.
Given he didn't even get pass R1 or R2 in super 100 tournaments last year, he has to start somewhere first. This tournament is a good opportunity for him because many top players were absent here and to see whether the training camp really doing him any good at all. Looks like it's still long way to go for him to get to the optimal form, but at least he's making some progress compared to his performances in the past few months. If he can't even get far or win S300 it would be even harder for him to get great results in high tier tournaments.
he has to be selective as he is still a top committed player. he has 3 more quotas to play in lower tier tournaments.
Well, I don't think he will be playing in too many tournaments this year. At least not if he is planning to stay longer (get further) in each tournament. He needs to conserve his energy for the high tier ones. Iirc, he is registered in Indonesia Masters too.
Slightly worried that Lin Dan may not play that well tomorrow as he'll be fatigued by four matches in a row that have gone to three games. For all the hype around his winter training I'm not sure his ability to recover from long matches has improved that much and I suspect he'll need to win in straight games to be champion
Lin Dan's winter training is far from over, it's supposed to last until the third week of February, usually some days before the German Open from 26th Feb to 3rd Mar. So far in this tournament, his victories haven't been convincing, all three-setters and was nearly knocked out by Lee Cheuk Yiu in R2, barely scraping through 22-20 in the decider in a math that was marred by some disputed linecalls from both side, LCY a couple more than LD's for lack of IRS (Hawk-Eye). I believe he's playing here and the INA Masters WTS500 while skipping the intervening MAS Masters next week(understandably as I doubt he can handle back-to-back tournament, yet) in the hope of improving his world ranking inside the top 8 as soon as possible so as to avoid meeting the top few players in the early rounds of the higher level tournaments when the Olympic cycle begins in end April. I noticed his draw at the INA Masters is quite a challenge, slated to face Sameer Verma in R1, Tommy Sugiarto/Anthony Ginting in R2, then probably Kento Momota in the QFs, pretty tough lineup, admittedly. So he had better make the most of his chances here and earn some good ranking points in the process to serve as a sort of cushion for the following 1-2 months.
I watched his game on youtube. He definitely is not in the same league of the current top tier from his current performance. So, he either up his gear or be happy playing at this level. Today final, if Loh starts well and move the points ahead, then it is game over for him.
FINAL => https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/...E9DAAF-158B-4759-96F5-79B323E83F9C&d=20190113 The organizer puts an ideal mixed doubles final where top two seed facing each other as first match this afternoon instead of women's doubles. Local pair Puavaranukroh/Taerattanachai never won over Olympic silver medalists Chan PS/Goh LY in three previous encounters and need extra motivation to break jinx with homecrowd support against the defending champion. The Malaysian pair beat HKG new tandem Tang CM/Ng TY without so much problem and real test should coming today by home favourites who displaying consistency lately. A smooth path for top-seed Goh/Tan who have no serious threat en route to final including outplay Japan lower-ranked pair Koga/Saito in last four. Last hurdle to top podium here, fast and furious combination Lu CY/Yang PH could deliver stiff resistance and give a run for their money. The Chinese Taipei pair drop opening game before overcome Malaysian youngsters Goh SF/Izzuddin in three games. MS clash will feat two contrast finalists, first seed and qualifier, vast experienced plus high reputation versus rookie, famous and iconic name opposes lesser-known player, it's like the battle of David and Goliath. Really intriguing plot to know the answer who will laugh at last, can Loh Kean Yew ends this tournament with fairytale story? Loh KY beat Brice Leverdez in semifinal as the Frenchman seemed fatigue and couldn't balance his younger rival speed in third game. Lin Dan always playing three games to through into final again after NZL Open, April 2018 and almost bit the dust in second round against Lee Cheuk Yiu. He also needed tough effort to dispose promising compatriot Lu Guangzu, his celebration underscores how this final ticket becomes so important to prolong his chance towards Tokyo 2020. China finds new prospect in women's doubles discipline, Li WM/Zheng Yu could be another alternative to back up Chen QC/Jia YF and Du Y/Li YH. The Chinese eliminate Piek/Seinen to book final berth but their important victory here none but quarterfinal round to stun second seed Japanese ladies Matsuyama/Shida who showed rapid development in 2018. Double duty for Sapsiree Taerattanachai who partner with Supajirakul, they had slow start in semifinal before stamped authority to outclass Russian duo Bolotova/Davletova. Women's singles showdown is expected to roar in last final as both fans are very vocal to support their players, Fitriani revives her chance to do better this year, marching on Super 300 level final for the first time after 2016 International Challenge tournament. The Indonesian downed HKG player Deng Xuan in long match yesterday, thanks to her persistence and good court coverage. Former champion Busanan Ongbamrungpan demolished her younger teammate the error-proned Pornpawee Chochuwong with stunning scoreline, 21-10 / 21-4. Fitriani leads 2-1 in their head to head stats, won last meeting in recent KOR Masters in November 2018.
Just hope that LKY will not miss this great opportunity to learn but also to fight for a famous victory. Do your best Kean Yew and have confidence in yourself.
oh i'm watching the youtube badmintonworld channel using master vpn set to singapore since it's blocked here in indonesia you should be able to watch directly without vpn i think since.you're from sg
Neither of them can kill ****...from the baseline or the net... Looks like Thailand won’t be having a good day in WD either now that ST is half done for.
