I've watched that LD - LCW match four times and it somehow gives me the feeling that LCW had already given up when 19-15 down; even after the first cramp, he was struggling with himself whether to continue playing. Facing what he thought was imminent defeat, LCW's mind was in distress and it finally showed in physical manifestation in the part of his body which was subjected to most stress, the quadriceps muscles (perhaps hamstrings too).
Despite winning the next two points, one with the luck of the net cord and the other by desperate reflex action to return LD's two successive smashes from where he practically stood. Then still trailing 19-17 and having to exchange multiple shots moving around the court with LD when another twitch of his quads probably reminded him of the uphill battle at which his lack of inner belief and willpower again took over, he capitulated the point and ultimately the match.
At risk of sounding hackneyed, LCW for the nth time defeated himself yet again. Needless to say, only his nemesis Lin Dan can do that to him. In conclusion, it's my humble belief that whether the A/C was switched off or not is not the tipping point causing his defeat but that he was already mentally defeated even before the match started. This despite the fact that his two coaches would most probably have tried to instill in him the belief that this is his best chance to beat a weakened,most vulnerable LD. Saying this to him might actually both raise his hope considerably and, at the same time, increase his pressure even more - thus putting him in limbo.
Of course, the above is purely my subjective conjecture. After watching how he demolished first WZM followed by Tommy and then, somewhat unexpectedly to me, struggled with DuPY, I had a vague sense that his self-confidence took a small beating as he seemed more relieved than elated at finally overcoming DuPY after three hard-fought, bruising sets. I've asked myself this question:if LCW didn't cramp, would he have won the match? I was sure he would after he took G1 but G2 changed all that...well, I'm sure more people than not will unhesitatingly answer in the negative.
Despite winning the next two points, one with the luck of the net cord and the other by desperate reflex action to return LD's two successive smashes from where he practically stood. Then still trailing 19-17 and having to exchange multiple shots moving around the court with LD when another twitch of his quads probably reminded him of the uphill battle at which his lack of inner belief and willpower again took over, he capitulated the point and ultimately the match.
At risk of sounding hackneyed, LCW for the nth time defeated himself yet again. Needless to say, only his nemesis Lin Dan can do that to him. In conclusion, it's my humble belief that whether the A/C was switched off or not is not the tipping point causing his defeat but that he was already mentally defeated even before the match started. This despite the fact that his two coaches would most probably have tried to instill in him the belief that this is his best chance to beat a weakened,most vulnerable LD. Saying this to him might actually both raise his hope considerably and, at the same time, increase his pressure even more - thus putting him in limbo.
Of course, the above is purely my subjective conjecture. After watching how he demolished first WZM followed by Tommy and then, somewhat unexpectedly to me, struggled with DuPY, I had a vague sense that his self-confidence took a small beating as he seemed more relieved than elated at finally overcoming DuPY after three hard-fought, bruising sets. I've asked myself this question:if LCW didn't cramp, would he have won the match? I was sure he would after he took G1 but G2 changed all that...well, I'm sure more people than not will unhesitatingly answer in the negative.