Yamaguchi found Gao's weakness. Like all tall players, Gao has trouble bending down to retrieve the shuttle, especially on her left hand side.
age gap between yamaguchi and gao fangjie - about 1 year. experience gap between yamaguchi and gao fangjie - about 1 light year. justin, what did zhang ning say during the 2 minute interval?
Sorry but I disagree w/ u cos racket is just a tool, it's the player that counts a lot more. External factors (size of court, shuttles speed, net height) have stays the same. Its different from tennis, where the racket's technology and the way the point is started (by serving) makes the game not enjoyable to watch. Very accurate+powerful serves ends 80% of the point, no fun to watch or play. They should try to slow down the game, like table tennis where they made the balls larger+heavier. Rumours said that the ball size changed because nobody can keep up w/ the speed+reflexes of Asians world champions (@ that time probably 90% of titles were held by Asians) Badminton needs a lot more finesse, timing and mental. A good netshot is impossible to return, due to finesse, not due to technology. No smash is non-returnable, unless the receiver is not in position or unprepared for it. An attacking clear can easily be too powerful, why need a faster racket. Too tall of a player can be a disadvantage (in doubles), esp in returning fast attacking drives. Please don't let technologies ruin our beloved badminton.
GFJ has to learn to play different styles of opponents. She's played three attacking players in previous rounds, this is the first defensive runner and counterattacker she is facing, not sure if she can make the adjustment