More talented than Popov. Probably because he had to compensate in junior against popov (2 years older), to match with him. He will represent France at the junior olympics.
Arnaud is going for broke, but he had better learn to pace himself and not used up 70-80% of his energy in G1 in his eagerness to win.
Arnaud Merkle is so lucky to have FRA pay for a training session with Lin Dan -- unlike Chinese table-tennis (or other badminton associations), the Chinese badminton association doesn't allow foreigners to train with them...
If Arnaud were near Lin Dan's age, the way he played attacking fiercely and running all over the place, he'd be half-spent by now
Yes, easyliy understandable. He is playing against Lin Dan, a legend, and didn't met many of them playing in France (and just entering some senior tournament). He want to show off too much (that's how many younster are). Hopefully, he will learn from that experience.
I read some comments from the Chinese viewers, they said Merkle play quite well and should play more in the senior circuit for more explosures. Also, a few girls going Gaga over his looks.
he is starting this year, and beat some good players (well, not in bwf circuit), like penalver or Holst. Almost beating Corvée. We will probably see him more after the summer on senior circuit, maybe at the yonex French international (qualifying). BTW, I saw the question earlier : the asian coach in the french team is Zhou Junling, and was there before Peter Gade era.
