Takahashi is acting a little bit obnoxious on the court. I am thinking not only about her loud shouting but also she often passes the shuttle to her opponent in a weird way. I hope she can tone these antics down a bit because I think Wang Yihan was quite disturbed in their latest meeting. Credit to WYH for being able to turn the match around. Takahashi is a great player.
yes, I think she has the skills to lead WS. the one thing to be improved, in my opinion, is psychological strength
Sayaka was outstanding in QF. She makes sure that the Koreans doesn't dominate WS. Good job, Sayaka. Hope you will win the German Open 2014.
Can't believe Sung Ji Hyun and Sayaka Takahashi just met once before at the Korea Open this year. The H2H record is leading 1-0 by SJH.
Maybe you are referring to THAI's rising domination in WS. Koreans only has 2 outstanding WS. THAI has 4, Portnip, Busanan, Rathanok and Nichaon so far. JPN has a couple including the newly Asian Junior Champion, Akane Yamaguchi
Her attacks made me think of Tine Baum. On a good day, she can beat anyone. On a bad day, she can lose to anyone.
Yes, gg by Sayaka. JPN won 3 out of 5. I think this is the best ever they have produce. JPN all the way!
Yes, gg by Sayaka. JPN won 3 out of 5. I think this is the best ever they have produce. JPN all the way!
NBA has updated their players' list for 2015. Surprisingly to see that Sayaka Takahashi is dropped out from the A team. Nozomi Okuhara is promoted to the A team.
I think Sayaka getting dropped from the A team is a little harsh, of you look at her defeats from last year: Korea Open: Sung Ji Hyun Malaysia Open: Shixian German Open: Won All Englands: Bae Yeon Ju India Open: Yihan Singapore Open: Ratchanok BAC: Sung Ji Hyun Japan Open: TYT Indonesia Open: Gilrmour Australian Open: Hashimoto World Championships: Nehwal Denmark Open: Xuerui French Open: Shixian Hong Kong: TYT It's not like she's losing against poor players here. Only Hashimoto/ Gilmour you could say were 'bad' losses. FWIW from a betting standpoint she only would have been favourite for 2 of those matches. I really enjoy watching her attacking style of play. Hope to see her on the SS circuit again
I think it's not just harsh but plain stupid from the team management. Many players just wish to be able to play in SS circuit in order to gain experience playing at a higher level. If she performed "badly" last year, only allowing her to play in 2nd tier tournaments not just hurt her world ranking but also bad for her. I absolutely don't understand this decision. The Japanese team can't afford one more player on the A-Team? I doubt it. If the decision is still in effect during the Olympic qualification period, the Rio dream is over for her. There is no chance for her to qualify if the highest level tournament she is allowed to play is GPG.
She's a good player, but I honestly don't think she has the style of game that is needed to take on the best players consistently. Don't forget the horrendous performance during the team events which made her look like she was bad at coping with pressure. I imagine Japan would place more importance on the team event than most other countries. Also, Japan won't be taking 3 players to the Olympics, and maybe only one. There are a number of players I'd rather be taking along, and I imagine that feeling will only be consolidated before Rio.
I guess it's possible they held numerous training matches and whoever came off worst lost their place.
Looking back, my comments from 2013 ring true. ST has everything, but lacks that ultimate bit of speed and power to make her playing style work. Even from yesterday's match against Karin Schnaase, you can see that ST hit many beautiful shots that failed to score. If those shots were not effective against Karin Schnaase, you know what effect they can have on top tier players. So there is a strategy decision that ST and her coach will have to make. Does she have the physical potential to make her current playing style work or that she has to change her style to a more practical one in order to compete at the highest level.
oops my bad, did not read the name well... maybe we should make a thread for Saena, she is quite impressive!