Also popular among Thai fans, who called her Auntie Schenk (a name that resembles the name of a local cult-ish woman entrepreneur who made a huge fortune by selling "magic water" to believers). She's one of the most sportsmanly players I know.
Choi/Seo vs Lee/Wang now....could be a fiery affair. Did Lee already complain about Choi's serve after 2 points...?
Frankly, I'm not convinced by Chen Long's performance so far, he's clearly not at his best of yesteryear. And what is most disappointing is that despite his pedigree and status as multiple WC/OG titlist, maturity and long experience, he is still not very good at reading the game and anticipation; otherwise, he'd make his job against those opponents outside top 8/10 that much easier. Instead he is still very much relying on his strong physical condition and a solid basic game to get by most of the time. I'm doubtful he can go deep here, expect him to end his campaign tomorrow or Saturday.
We're talking about the only OG champion in history who didnt manage to win a single other tournament in his title year, who won the the freaking OG by 'simply' playing every single shot with really good quality and making almost no error....
We don't praise Li Michelle enough, despite of literally no good sparing partners and other hurdles she has done fanatically good for herself. Even though she hasn't won much, can trouble almost anyone on her day. Now with AY gone , considering this year's performance (alone) I'd pick CYF as the favourite for the title. LM is doing well to breath down her neck
Chen Long was built to beat Lee Chong Wei, which he did 3 times in row in major finals. Since then badminton has evolved and Chen Long is struggling against players who are less predictable than LCW. Also Chen Long attacking game is not what it once was.
I honestly think the umpire were briefed on this after yesterday's match and that umpire's failure to get him in line. Also helps that Lee started complaining on his second serve of the match already. Good answer to that particular trick of his from the TPE pair.
That's what I said in 2016 already, but another important factor must surely be that he relied on his insane physicality so much for years, and it probaby is starting to fade just a little. Also, he hasn't had an attacking game to speak of in years, that was all coached out of him early on (or so everybody suspects, maybe it was his own decision after all)
The broadcast team from Denmark brought their own camera setup to cover Court 4, but it require a paid subscription to watch.
