Too bad LZJ failed to convert the two matchpoints in the decider and even lost the deuce to Momota in today's group match of the Thomas Cup. Despite giving up G2 a la Shi Yuqi to conserve energy for the 3rd set, LZJ wasn't as fast and attacking in the decider as he was in the opening set which he won handsomely. It seems to me LZJ, more so now, has the game to take on KM but not the fitness, endurance and stamina, which is very much required as he has to play fast-paced attacking game throughout and not try to rally with Momota whose controlled game is second to none among his contemporaries. Perhaps accumulated fatigue over the last two weeks or so took a toll on him but, then, all the more it exposes where the problem lies, a shortcoming that partly contributed to his narrow defeat this time, their 3rd encounter in two weeks. Personally, the strategy or gamble, if you like, of giving up G2 when falling by several points behind in order to save energy for G3, is a risky venture that may backfire, I won't recommend it, unless forced to. As far as possible, it's much better for LZJ to try his utmost to win the match in two straight sets. So, if LZJ wants to emulate the young Chen Long in his twenties who never complained of fatigue (nor, I daresay, appeared fatigued), or follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Lee CW, for that matter, he must improve on his fitness level, in addition to continuously working on his game.
Lzj is top 5 now. Just need to mentally prepared when playing momo, vic, anton, ginting and syq. It all boils to how many mistakes. Count.
His stamina is supposed to be the best in the whole country. That match was the first time I had seen LZJ that tired. Maybe some aggressive tactic + more stamina can help him.
Well there's a brash of new Chinese singles players ( see the final Thomas finals) eager to step in Chen Long and SYQ shoes right now...watch out LZJ
for the first time ever, LZJ lost to a Singapore player Loh Kean Yew (actually is from Penang, Malaysia), however I can understand LZJ right now so tired as he has played for 4 weeks straight, thus he has to take a week rest and prepare for the next tournament...
I haven't watch the match against P Abian, but the number speaks trouble. This was supposed to be an easier match for him and should not have wasted ample energy on it. Did he just do a 'CTC'? Just watched the match. LZJ made too many mistakes, perhaps he was using it to test out the court but it was too close for comfort. PB was exploiting his backends and sending lots of balls to that side and LZJ made lots of mistakes from there. In the third game when PB got to match point at 20-19, he was being sneaky and quickly picked up the shuttle and wanted to get it done with to steal the match. Up to then, PB had left it for LZJ to pick up the balls for him (that I called doing a "Marin" , similar sneaky moves, somewhat unprofessional.) PA is not anywhere near his level, should have been a two game match and be done with. I call this doing a "CTC"! LCW, Lin Dan, VA would not have allowed this closed call.
I am just curious, during this series of back-to-back tournaments where he does not go back to Malaysia, who is his sparing partner, does he have one?
