Match could have been so different. CTC could have won this in 2 games. Getting G1 vs Momota is paramiles of important like AG did. But this is like CTC 5th tournament consecutively?
Told ya! These folks below just outclass the rest!! Another S750 title to the bag next week.. Bring it on!!
KM is doing the same that LD does to his opponents . . . . . congratulating his opponents by shaking hands with one hand patting the opponents’ bum with the other Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
At least we know KM, ASG and CTC are in the mix, with no one dominating yet while KM has a slight edge over the other two. Perhaps later one or two more may join the challenge for MS top spot
Chou Tien Chen is 28 years old now, he really can't afford to carry on like a workhorse for much longer. If he is to win more titles, he must plan his tournament schedule well, and not leave him overstretched playing non-stop without any clear goals and just doing and hoping for the best. Well done, CTC, nevertheless, he's proven himself a match for Momota.
Worthy world no.1 then. You don't hear people twisting their brain to break domination in other sports just because of entertainment value. It's there for the other pairs to raise their game.
So Momota was pulling a LD in the 3rd set. LD's style is to conserve his energy, even if it goes to 3 sets, and then LD will turn it up to another level when there is 1/2 or 1/3 left in the 3rd set. You can see that Momota was playing a little passive throughout the match, and then in the last half of the 3rd set, he ups his pace and he starts smashing from the back line. CTC was pretty tired and moving more slowly at that point. This is how LD would beat his opponents back in the day (unfortunately, today LD is old, slow, and he isn't as fit as back then). Also, it's interesting that Momota is the undisputed best net player in MS today and LD was also the best MS net player during his prime. And skill wise, Momota is also one of the most skilled MS players, relying on his footwork and technique, as opposed to taller players who can just "reach" for the shuttle. Momota's skill and technique also remind me of LD. I need to watch the Ginting vs Momota for the China Open. Ginting has something the other players don't that bothers Momota. At least we know there is one player out there that Momota tends to struggle more against. It would be interesting if Ginting plays Momota again late in the tournament, such as the semi-finals or finals, rather than encountering Momota in the first round.
I would say at the moment Momota is dominating, but his closest challengers are Ginting and Chou Tien Chen. This year Momota has won 7 individual tournaments, Ginting 2 tournaments and CTC 3 tournaments. Also Momota is leading CTC head-to-head 8-2 and Ginting 5-3. All statistics say Momota is dominating.
That's actually an indication of more competition, as seeded players aren't as far ahead of the rest. Also, entry numbers are far higher, another indicator of competitiveness. MS is the most competitive discipline, and has been for a long time. I personally like MD more as it has a heavier emphasis on tactics and less on pure fitness, but even I can't deny that MS is more competitive.....
Just a small note - people need to seriously stop that ridiculous notion that taller players can "just reach" for the shuttle. It's not a thing. Especially in singles, all available evidence (and logic) suggests that the ideal height for a player is below 1,95, probably even below 1,90m. Unless you're shorter than 1,70, youre not at a disadvantage because of your height, below that you tend to need an extra step here or there and don't have great angles. Anything below 1,60 is a real disadvantage.
wt 500/750/1000 & wc titles update through denmark open, #13 japan - 21 indonesia - 14 china - 10 chinese taipei - 7 denmark - 5 spain - 3 malaysia - 2 hong kong/thailand/usa - 1
Quite the contrary. The reason why the seeded players aren't/weren't far ahead is because especially last year, the quality at the top was simply very poor. Look at the two top players from last year today. They get whipped, and not just by Momota. SWH was #1 for extended periods without winning anything. Sakai, Nishimoto, Sugiarto, LHI are simply nowhere near winning big tournaments in terms of quality and usually get beat in straight games, yet they contested finals. As Steen has put it: some players have just waited out that LCW, LD and CL get old. You can say that being close together on a low level is "competitive", but it doesn't serve to explain why women retire earlier. The intensity of their games is - at least for the current generation - higher than for the men, because they always have to beat other top players, some of the all time greats in their prime. No such thing in MS at the moment, even though it is definitely better than last year. The commentators also have said that WS is the most competitive discipline several times, even though I can't provide you with a source this time.
No, he didn't participate in Dutch Open. I agree. VA and SYQ have the potential to be the best players, but they are left behind by KM. This is called Takeshi Castle.
I thought tournament organisers have to fulfil certain criteria (like prize money ) and then they apply for the status from BWF . Not BWF just awarding super 1000 status