XD Final review.. Congrats to Gail and Nathan again..Looks like they used their experience and poise to rally back in the 1st set.. Yah, after watching the game, looks like it's a mental thing for the Indonesian XD pair to solve(it was my first time watching them play). Esp. in the 2nd set, looks like their mind wasn't there or couldn't refocus back(many self-mistakes). I could be wrong, but I notice esp. Nova Widianto, his facial expression and body language looks nervous out there throughout the match making errors(incl. one which he completely missed a service badly-shuttle went under the net)..and the shot selections he took really weren't "firm" shots. On the opposite, I thought Lilyana was a more "better" and "relax" player out of the two, esp. for her age. Their techniques are there, but I doubt Nova/Lilyana can win "the big ones" until they solved the mental factor-ie. concentration level.. Their head-to-head record is now 1-1, I thought if the Indo would've won the 1st set, they would've won..But guess not, back to drawing board and more practice and more competition play..They should improve as they've only been a pair for 4+ months.. On the other hand, I might be wrong, but Nathan and Gail seems to win/dominate the tourneys that are held in Europe. In Asia, they tend to struggle more..We shall see what they(Gail/Nathan) can do in the upcoming Japan Open..
I agree about Nova, he didn't look focused at all in the 2nd game. But this was the first time I've seen this pair play, and I am impressed with Lilyana's form and composure esp. being as young as she is (19?). As a pair they should get better with time. As for the English pair, it would be interesting to see if they can keep up their hot form in Asia, we shall wait and see. They're not going to the Thailand open from what I hear though. Joe P.
Peter has played quite good in this tournament beating the young and upcoming yuhn suk from korea and later saurul and in form Lee hyun ill. If he win this match I think he will get the morale and confidence to be a great rival to Lin Dan in this year WC
