Once the OG cycle starts, don't be the least bit surprised that, apart from the usual suspects, there may well be several players we normally don't think too highly of suddenly emerging to rise to the challenge, the more so as the months go by and the competition heats up, esp around the half-way mark. Also expect to see players of the same nationality vying intensely for one of the two OG spots per nation/MA.
LD went to super god mode in G2 to win the game from trailing behind 12-19 to 21-19. CTC went into berserk mode to caught up 19-19 in G3 but LD ultra god mode kicked in to win it in 21-19. Haha.. Well, we had no idea either what happened but CTC just blew it in G2 and LD was able to turn it into his victory in the end. The infamous "Mental Block" I suppose?
Country representatives in R2 18 - CHN 12 - INA, JPN, THA 8 - MAS 4 - KOR 3 - TPE, DEN, IND 1 - USA, AUS, RUS, SCO, ENG
Well, you got to give it to Lin Dan. Even out of shape and out of form, he still manages to scare some of the players. CTC should have worn the brown pants today. You could really see them fill up point by point after 19-12.
Well said. We should also keep on criticising female players for shouting and screaming while having no problem whatsoever with male players doing the same.
Poor CTC. But for LD to manage scoring 9 points in a row without a single error and never missed his net kills, that was very impressive I remember he missed 9 out of 10 attempted net kills last time. Best upset of today, and a very pleasant one. At least the male players are not wearing skirts...
The whole stadium will be in laughter. Imagine if Kevin is the one who wear skirt, he will appear as dancing more than playing.
Pornpawee has always has potentials since she beats some big names before. Saina made too many errors today and Pornpawee played well near the end. Now that she left the Thai camp to practice on her own she can solely focus on herself and we’ll probably see her improve more. I put her 2nd in Thailand’s WS after Ratchanok right now. Nitchaon and Busanan are just going to stay the same and doesn’t improve much anymore. Pornpawee also won the national championships for a few years in a row now beating both of them who are her seniors. (Ratchanok didn’t participate of corse since she’s way too good)
I still can't come to terms with Watanabe's round 1 exit in both categories. What the hell is happening. Where is his magic. I didnt expect him to be a champion but at least make it to regular QF to Finals like he's been doing since last year. Hope SG open will be better.
I think so too, Chochuwong Pornpawee is the Thai WS up-and-comer to watch, she may well be the WS2 after Intanon now.
Eh, blaming while putting a nice face? Also, it is Viktor, not Viktor. Viktor Axelsen might get angry seeing your post.
ROUND OF 16 | 01.00pm => https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/...1EDFA6-0F3F-4B4A-833C-5C9F7400CF1B&d=20190404 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - Kento Momota (JPN) v Jonatan Christie (INA) - Chen Long (CHN) v Kantaphon Wangcharoen (THA) - Anders Antonsen (DEN) v Shi Yuqi (CHN) - Pusarla V. Sindhu (IND) v Sung Ji Hyun (KOR) - Li Xuerui (CHN) v Nozomi Okuhara (JPN) - Kamura/Sonoda (JPN) v Goh VS/Tan WK (MAS) - Han CK/Zhou HD (CHN) v Ong YS/Teo EY (MAS) - Lu CY/Yang PH (TPE) v Li JH/Liu YC (CHN) - Baek HN/Kim HR (KOR) v Matsutomo/Takahashi (JPN) - Puavaranukroh/Taerattanachai (THA) v Goh SH/Shevon Lai (MAS) Lin Dan made highlight again, quite such long time the Chinese maestro didn't put strong showing, high intensity instead of numerous first round defeat lately but two-time Olympic Champion offers different story this time, produced unthinkable comeback, 12-19 down to lock Chou Tien Chen in 21-19, scored nine consecutive points to force rubber games. The deciding game was a thriller when Chou leveled the scoreline to 19-all from 14-18 trailed behind then Lin Dan did his antics to prevail in critical situation, 21-19, the spectators were roaring to watch the entertaining MS match yesterday. Shi Yuqi is the only remaining seeded player that still survived at bottom-half draw but tough test awaits him to advance, Danish fast-improved youngster, Anders Antonsen. Today's interesting match will pit reigning World Champion Kento Momota against Asian Games gold medalist Jonatan Christie. Chen Long and Viktor Axelsen also through to last sixteen, the latter needed extra effort to overcome Taiwanese talent Wang Tzu Wei particularly in second game, 21-14 , 22-20. Women's singles future stars, Pornpawee Chochuwong and local favourite Goh Jin Wei facing each other, the former tackles former world number one Saina Nehwal in three games, the Indian ran out of steam in third game, 20-22 / 21-15 / 21-10. Two IND Open podium finishers, Ratchanok Intanon and He Bingjiao pass opening round with contrast fashion, Thai ace knocked out Gregoria Mariska with relatively comfortable way while Chinese left-hander dropped first set before found her rhythm in next two games against Line Kjaersfeldt. Couple of All England replays will see Pusarla Sindhu versus Sung Ji Hyun also 2017 World Champion Nozomi Okuhara contra 2012 Olympic Champion Li Xuerui. Far from expectation, the Minions are too strong for new sensational pair Lee Y/Wang CL, the Taiwanese duo couldn't balance speed and power, succumbed to the world number one easily, 13-21 / 12-21 in just 24 minutes of play. Barring any big upset the Minions will face their teammates Alfian/Ardianto tomorrow, meanwhile last year champions Kamura/Sonoda will be tested by Rio Olympic silver medalists Goh VS/Tan WK. Other title contenders Li JH/Liu YC, Ahsan/Setiawan have possible scenario to face off in last eight. Thailand women's doubles duo Kititharakul/Prajongjai avenged their IND Open defeat to home pair Chow MS/Lee MY in three games and will take on Chinese back-ups Dong WJ/Fend XY. Japan's big three march on into last sixteen, defending champion Matsumoto/Takahashi will find tricky challengers, Baek HN/Kim HR who troubled them in GER Open recently. The mighty Zheng/Huang eased past compatriots He JT/Du Y and meet another teammates Lu K/Chen L, looking at the draw they should have no problem to secure semifinal spot and will meet either Thailand number one Puavaranukroh/Taerattanachai or the in-form Malaysian tandem Goh SH/Shevon Lai who cross sword today. Wang YL/Huang DP experienced really hard times to clear opening hurdle, TPE pair Wang CL/Cheng CY, 17-21 / 21-19 / 21-19. Jordan/Oktavianti who managed runner-up in New Delhi fail to keep consistency and lost surprisingly to 2017 WJC Rivaldy/Mentari, 16-21 / 14-21. LIVE TV COVERAGE (Court 1)
Today, Lu Kai vs Huang Yaqiong will be happened. Once a partner, now become an opponent. No hard feelings.
