Schultzier
Regular Member
I saw Victors show at the end of the match with the racket and the crowd. I got repulsed for a second. :s
How do you know that? Honestly? What is you measurement stick?
Because MS post Covid is so much weaker than pre Covid, it is not funny anymore. This is why this woeful version of KM (you know, the guy who lost first round at four tournaments this year) can make it to the final of a 750 tournament.
So many good players gone/retired and injured, lost form because of Covid restrictions and so many inconsistent and young guys are unable to fill their shoes. So how do you measure Axelsen being "significantly" better when the conditions for him have gotten much easier and the opponents weaker?
KM post match interview (posted by @Baddyforall on the latest tournament's thread): "He was too good today. I tried to catch up little by little, but he was too strong. He has improved; his speed and quality of shots has gone up on every level. Coming into the final I wasn’t tense at all, so that was a big step forward, and something to take away.”
This.... As much as I like Momota the pre accident Momota has never played against today's Viktor
It is impressive how much Viktor has matured and grown in self confidence over the past 2 years, especially given his previously horrible head to head statistics against KM. Something like 12-2? Viktor of the past would basically self destruct when under the pressure of long rallies with KM. You could see his face getting red with anger at himself during the rallies and almost can imagine steam coming out of his ears. But no longer, perhaps being married and being a dad has mellowed him now, or perhaps his father in law trainer has done great things to strengthen his mental aspect. But you have to give Viktor credit. He is the unbeatable full package now.Oh please. Momota has played against "today's Viktor" at the Denmark Open 2021, when all the commentators said prior to the game VA was "untouchable" and that Momota was lacking a lot of his former strength. I can remind you of what transpired there, but let us just say, it wasn't a 21-4, 21-7 kind of match.
Maybe Axelsen has continued to improve himself since then. He must have found something in training that he hasn't had all those years before, then, because the improvement can't really be from competetive matches against quality opposition.
There simply is no "quality opposition" left. VA is the only world class player today and he is overwhelming favourite to win every tournament. Not just because he's good, but because who else is there to beat him? Antonsen? LZJ? Ginting? Christie? All role models for inconsistency with the bad performances (for whatever reason) outweighing good ones.
+1.Agree with Visor. We have to give full credit to VA for his improvement. We can't fault him for Momo's decline (hopefully its temporary) and the strength of MS field.
Axelsen has improved so much that he made Tsuneyama improve too. Imagine that improvement.
No disrespect to Momota but your words made me laugh. LolLMAO losing to farmers and plumbers. Electricians must be licking their lips next!