Aaron/Soh bows out of the tournament pretty badly. Soh seems to be very nervous, again. MAS player's maturity always disappoint.
even Goh/Izzuddin is better than them at this tournament, or the JPN young MD pairs are getting more stronger as they are coached by Park Joo Bong and Mainaky brother...
SG players of Loh and Yeo seem to be playing well. Must be the magic of Mulyo Handoyo? Anyway, I hope I will not jinx them with my praise.
QUARTERFINALS (04.00pm) : https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/matches.aspx?id=28E9DAAF-158B-4759-96F5-79B323E83F9C Loh Kean Yew is surprising package in MS category, this Singapore qualifier passed Chinese opponents in four consecutive rounds and will up against 6th seed Wang Tzu Wei, interesting to wait whether Loh could continue his gallant run here. Top-seed Lin Dan got lucky escape to avoid early exit, defeated Lee Cheuk Yiu narrowly 22-20 in third game. Lin has Malaysia youngster to secure semifinal berth, Cheam June Wei. MAS new prospect Lee Zii Jia also through and will take on French number one Brice Leverdez. Indonesla last man standing Firman Abdul Kholik will challenge China highly-promoted MS, Lu Guangzu. Sad news for host Thailand as no one of their MS representatives through to last eight. After produced inspiring comeback in opening round Fitriani once again scores headline in this tournament, beat defending champion Nitchaon Jindapol in rubber games, the tiny Indonesian will face SGP talent Yeo Jia Min to seek last four spot. Thailand still has most number in WS quarterfinal, Busanan gets tough test, Saena Kawakami whilst Pornpawee Chochuwong has senior compatriot Porntip to overcome. Other top contender Michelle Li meets former Chinese player who representing HKG Deng Xuan. Women's doubles reigning champion Kititharakul/Prajongjai almost sent packing by Indonesian juniors Kusuma/Sugiarto, the Thai duo were pushed into the limit as scoreline displayed, 22-20 / 10-21 / 22-20. In men's doubles and mixed doubles, the favourites Goh/Tan, Chan/Goh, Puavaranukroh/Taerattanachai book quarter berth without much troubles.
I think the JPN pair is independent, by their shirt, or maybe not? My opinion is that Aaron/Soh is still too slow and a pack of nerves. They are too slow, no pace and momentum at all. Definitely something to improve.
Matsui/Takeuchi are self-financed players affiliated to Hitachi Engineering. Ditto for Takano/Tsukamoto, who were defeated by Goh/Tan yesterday. These players are coached by their corporate team.
Yesterday's upsets: XD Alfian Eko PRASETYA [INA] Marsheilla Gischa ISLAMI - [MAS] CHEN Tang Jie [7] Yen Wei PECK 23-21 20-22 21-12 XD Robin TABELING [NED] Selena PIEK - [INA] Ronald RONALD [5] Annisa SAUFIKA 21-18 21-17 WS Fitriani FITRIANI [INA] * - [THA] Nitchaon JINDAPOL [1] 21-10 17-21 21-16 WS DENG Joy Xuan [HKG] - [HKG] CHEUNG Ngan Yi [7] 12-21 21-13 22-20 WS Saena KAWAKAMI [JPN] - [CHN] CAI Yanyan [4] 21-17 21-17 MD Keiichiro MATSUI [JPN] Yoshinori TAKEUCHI - [MAS] Aaron CHIA [2] Wooi Yik SOH 28-26 21-16
MD Akira KOGA [JPN] Taichi SAITO - [INA] Wahyu Nayaka ARYA PANGKARYANIRA [4] Ade Yusuf SANTOSO 21-17 21-12 WD NG Wing Yung [HKG] YEUNG Nga Ting - [FRA] Emilie LEFEL [4] Anne TRAN 22-20 21-19 MD DI Zijian [CHN] WANG Chang - [NED] Jelle MAAS [7] Robin TABELING 21-19 21-10
Wow, International Series, a tournament with just $10.000 have 6 live courts and we have to watch Thailand open with "our effort". (to find a channel)
Quite pathetic, no? Their in court mentality seems to be lacking, as they are 21, 20. Maybe they will mature at 26-30, usually MAS players really peak.
Lu Guangzu must be the best CHN MS players behind SYQ, CL, and LD. Even though his style is plain and average, it is still consistent and pretty good, with 4 tournament finals last year.
The dark horse in MD will be Di/Wang, in my opinion. From what I saw in WJC18, they are pretty much a firepower pair like their seniors. Interesting how far they can do in this tourney.