2) the reaction to cope with LD's sudden injection of pace into the shuttle (this is his biggest weapon)
I think point 2 is exactly what did LCW in.
LD's defense is superb because he is expecting full on what LCW is going to do. There were very few shots that LD was slower in reaction. LCW did try his smashes but to very little success in the 1st 7-8 rallies in the 1st set which LD returned with ease. They created more problem for LCW than LD. OTOH, LD doesn't commit to a full-on smash until LCW is in trouble.
Most of the rallies LD won were slow placing rallies (guess where I'm hitting it next) until LD injects speed into it. If it's not successful, it's back to slow rallying. That guessing when the fast one's coming seems fatal to LCW's game. LD was controlling the pace for entire encounter.
Today's LD is also a lot less temperamental hence dangerous.