I agree, Zhang Nan is the greatest doubles player of all time, winning multiple major and other prestigious titles in both XD and MD, that with different partners.Well, we have to start a thread for this pair who won the WC in Glasgow.
Zhang Nan is the greatest doubles player of all time in my opinion.
Liu Cheng has certainly improved a lot himself over the past year as well.
Look forward to this pair winning more titles!
We're talking about Zhang Nan as a doubles player, not as a XD or MD alone. Most of those you mentioned or are referring to, only played one discipline, mainly MD.I agree with you guys on the fact that Zhan and Liu are pretty amazing on court, but disagree that Zhang is the greatest doubles player of all time. If you mean 'one of the greatest' then kinda but 'the greatest', then no. There are so many doubles players that are better than him, Lee Yong Dae, Fu Hai Feng, Cai Yun, Jung Jae Sung, Park Joo-bong, Kim Dong-moon and others.
That's what I was trying to say. My previous post might be slightly misleading.Difficult to imagine Zhang Nan to be considered as the greatest. Personally, I will even prefer Gao Ling, Zhao Yunlei and even Rexy Mainaky (even only for MD, but considered as the most succesful pair at the decade, something that Zhang Nan is not considered for either in MD/XD even with longer active period), or also Yu Yang than Zhang Nan. Lee Yong Dae is better in MD than Zhang Nan (the H2H is bad), but certainly lacking at XD even when he played for some time and with small success there. It is just he lacks in dominating any event to be called as the greatest
Zhang Nan that we talking right now is different than before . He is someone who not with speed or heavy smash but he is someone that have genius shot , power game reading and also he being master and sharp at net court .
I m still remember that Steen Pedersen rated ZN as the greatest DOUBLES player , slightly above Lee Yong Dae . For Steen , ZN and LYD are same , but later on he rated ZN and then LYD been second .
Peoples always said than ZN achievement relied on ZYL and FHF . I dont agree because I dont think ZYL can success without ZN as her partner . ZN clearly the mest male player in xd . When i watch ZN match in md , he was the one who give more point than FHF . FHF during 2015-2016 too much error and not being prime anymore .
Before this I dont have much confident ZN/LC partnership but after watch their perfomance at WBC , we should give credit to LC improvement . He improve a lot and I believe they can be the best in MD . And right now , I think ZN is the most sharp player at net court compare to other right now .
As I see , Zhang Nan is the most hard working athlete . Say little but do more . Like ZYL said if other athlete train hard , you will see that ZN will train harder . Because he will do anything to achieve his dream . He push himself to the limit .
Before this I m not his fan , because I m start to love ZYL first . But once you know about ZN , you will amaze about his diligent , hardworking and attitude .
He is too underated by certain fans .. but obviously he very talented .
With his reading game capability and neutralize gameplay even Sukamoljo found it hard to play aganst Zhang Nan, watch Denmark Open.
Hmm.. My concern is that, Zhang Nan is that kind of supportive front court player; maybe the best there is; probably also with Hendra. and LYD.
The problem with these type of players; they need partner that can finish their supporting shots. Liu Cheng have strong smashes and quite athletic; but somehow.. he just too inconsistent..
Concern for me; that Zhang Nan will find it too late to find a partner.Totally agree with you. I think he is the best supportive double player I have ever seen. Both in XD and MD.
Well at least Hendra and especially LYD had better MD partners to be compared to Liu Cheng. Well almost in all doubles, it usually takes two to make a kill. But in this Liu/Zhang pair, mostly Liu kills it to the net or their own side of the court.
It is unfortunate that FHF wasn't years younger. I really like their dynamic how they always actively fill the gap and cover each other all the time. With Liu's level Zhang Nan has to work much harder to cover anything. Doubled with what he has to cover in XD, who knows when his physical can let him carry on. As now, I can tell he isn't moving as well as a few years ago.
I wonder if they will play in Asia Championships.
Concern for me; that Zhang Nan will find it too late to find a partner.