I agree with the boss on Ma Jin. I caught only a little of the Finals match (the game that went into the high 20s). But during the bit that I did see, I called in my boys to watch Ma Jin: Always on her toes; always moving; quick as lightening at the net; and good defense too. In my books she was the most worthy player to watch on the court.
^ Even though Ma may be the best female forecourt player currently, the winning trend now goes to more balanced pairs that are good at both front and back that are able to maintain attack in all formations. Like Zhang/Zhao. Similarly MD, Koo/Tan, Cai/Fu, Lee/Jung were becoming easily neutralized by more balanced pairs . Like Ahsan/Setiawan. Even the new Lee/Yoo pairing is better than with Ko because of it.
I think Zhao is very underrated here. She plays extremely clever, has literally no weaknesses. And Zhang is simply the best MX player in the world. I think his success speaks for itself (he's only 23 years of age and already Olympic- World- and All England Champion...). If they are at their best, no one can beat them right now. KKK: Maybe the most talented guy around. Unfortunately, not the most ambitious one...
Winning is about desire, hard work as well as skills. So they don't win. Thankfully, I haven't wasted my time watching the final - missed it totally
The way WSX beat Porntip in the final was remarkable, proof positive of how much she has changed and improved now, but even more impressive was the manner she dealt with Intanon R in the QF, including her extended shutout of Bae YJ in the SF. Personally I've watched the replays of her matches with IR and Porntip twice and BYJ once just to see if she has really changed and improved considerably - the answer is affirmative, even her body language says so; renewed confidence, self-assurance and control, more focused and steady, better patience, all of which translate into playing with more intensity and incremental consistency. However, still plenty of room for improvement, this is just the beginning of her revival; a very healthy sign, nevertheless. As for the all-CHN XD final, it has everything a Grand Finale can hope for, period. Both the MS and WS finals involved four contestants who each have their own motivation and point to make thus contributing to their fair share of errors as well as brilliancies due to jangled nerves, a heightened sense of urgency, and the pressure of the burden of expectation - factors normally affecting the big occasions but in full play here much to the delight of the spectators and TV/Internet viewers. On the MD final, I can do no better than congratulate INA for the emergence of another rising star MD pair. As for the defeated MAS pair, keep trying, don't be disheartened and better luck next time.
of course anyone *want* to win. it is a SS final afterall. however, for the amount of effort, it felt like they walked into a shop and pointed at the US$500 smartphone and they told the salesguy, "i WANT that phone, but i am only willing to pay US$100 for it." of course they are going to come out empty handed. to want is easy, to actually get/win it, need to pay money/effort. i see no sense of them paying enough effort, too casual, too little urgency, too lazy. with that kind of mentality, i doubt they will achieve much.
Point taken... i should rephrase => "they can't do it because it seems like they are not committed to go all out and do it i.e. to win" Agree on your point about their behaviour on court. That's what puzzles me.. why are they still playing together if that is their mentality?