I expect GOAT to skip SG and fly home. Play 5 matches to win when no QF points towards 2020 OLY and risk injury after winning MO is crazy. Not only LD is the GOAT but a very smart player.
No point for Lin Dan to risk any injury against a determined opponent who's pent-up and eager to salvage some lost confidence from his QF exit last week .
Nishimoto has a very hard path on this tournament. Darren Liew is not a top player but he can beat top players like Shi Yuqi at Malaysia Master this year. If Nishimoto wants to play the final match he has to pass Ginting today, and maybe Chen Long tomorrow, then meet Chou Tien Chen at semi-final. I don't think Nishimoto can take the title this time, but I hope he can get over 5k points.
Lol Milk it while you can, media. I know deep down you love LD, he makes a lot of good hot stories and profits for you.
ROUND OF 16 | 01.00pm => https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/...DE66EF-A758-4B76-A1E8-C196C1163F65&d=20190411 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - Kento Momota (JPN) v Prannoy H.S. (IND) - Kenta Nishimoto (JPN) v Anthony Ginting (INA) - Jan O Jorgensen (DEN) v Chou Tien Chen (TPE) - Tai Tzu Ying (TPE) v Chen Xiaoxin (CHN) - Ratchanok Intanon (THA) v Han Yue (CHN) - Mia Blichfeldt (DEN) v Pusarla V. Sindhu (IND) - Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) v Saina Nehwal (IND) - Gideon/Sukamuljo (INA) v He JT/Tan Q (CHN) - Kim GJ/Lee YD (KOR) v Ahsan/Setiawan (INA) - Aaron Chia/Soh WY (MAS) v Li JH/Liu YC (CHN) - Zheng SW/Huang YQ (CHN) v Jordan/Oktavianti (INA) LIN RETIRED, MOMOTA SURVIVED Men's singles opening round underlines the speculative retirement of Super Dan who just won MAS Open last Sunday, Viktor Axelsen only spent 14 minutes to book last sixteen spot. The official statement said Lin suffered cramp on his left thigh but possibly the Chinese maestro was unhappy about disputed line-calls in the match that local organizer arranged this blockbuster clash on court 4 instead of court 1 which facilitated by hawk-eye/instant review system. An interesting match also occured in same court earlier, World Champion Kento Momota almost sent packing by 2017 Champion Sai Praneeth B. The Japanese ace led comfortably in deciding game, 17-11 then 19-13 but it's far form over, the never say die Indian catching up to close the gap and forcing deuce, amplify pressure to Momota until he sealed the victory with narrrow margin, 22-20 and will take on another Indian hurdle, Prannoy for a place in quarterfinal. Other top guns march on, Chen Long, title-holder Chou Tien Chen, Kidambi Srikanth and two Indonesian hopefuls Anthony Ginting and Jonatan Christie. DEFENDING CHAMP OUSTED A contrast result for Sayaka Takahashi as she topped podium in Lion City last year but must ended her journey very early this time, lost to 2012 Olympic Champion Li Xuerui, 13-21 / 16-21. The winner and runner-up of just concluded MAS Open have tough times to pass their opening contest, Tai Tzu Ying was troubled by Zhang Beiwen while Akane Yamaguchi dropped first game against compatriot Aya Ohori. The roller-coaster match saw Han Yue blew away her big chance in second game as Nitchaon Jindapol seven straight points, 13-20 to 22-20. Luckily the Chinese teen still focus in deciding game and secured second round berth, 21-16. TAN/LAI DID IT AGAIN Back to back first round outing for world number three Watanabe/Higashino, the second seed pair fail to redeem last week defeat to nemesis Tan KM/Lai PJ in Kuala Lumpur. Having good start in first game, 21-16 the Japanese couldn't maintain their momentum as the confident Malaysians bounced back to clinch next two games, 18-21 / 15-21. Another seeding pair of lower-half draw, He JT/Du Y also tumbled to underdogs Ronald/Saufika, the Chinese wasted opening game good chance, 19-15, the Indonesians romp six consecutive points to 19-21.
Lin Dan interview video clip here: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/lin-dan-a...n-open-walking-off-opening-tie-121615356.html
Well, sometimes, i have to say this is how you do to gain more fans. Create a little bit more controversy. loss for bigger gains, they say. Its just boring if nothing happens.
If the score is balanced then its fair enough about the line calls. But if he knows hes losing... then sportsmanship. Might as well withdraw earlier.
Seemed to me he went straight to the umpire, showed his leg and asked to retired. No disputing any line calls or anything.
