BRONZE Medal match ~ 01.30pm XIAMEN v HUNAN MD - Liu Cheng/Huang Kaixiang vs He Jiting/Han Chengkai MS - Weng Hongyang vs Wang Zhengxing XD - Liu Cheng/Li Yinhui vs He Jiting/Wei Yaxin WS - Han Yue vs Zhou Meng WD - Tan Ning/Li Yinhui vs Liu Xuan Xuan/Chen Fanghui *Xiamen has slight advantage in singles category, equal chance in doubles for both teams. GOLD Medal match ~ 06.30pm QINGDAO v RUICHANG MD - Wang Yilu/Zheng Siwei v Li Junhui/Ren Xiangyu MS - Lu Guangzu v Li Shifeng XD - Zheng Siwei/Huang Dongping v Feng Yanzhe/Huang Yaqiong WS - Chen Yufei v He Bingjiao WD - Du Yue/Jia Yifan v Chen Qingchen/Huang Yaqiong *The competition between all national team players, the most looking forward match probably is WS, Chen v He part two if Ruichang could steal one point in first three matches.
This afternoon's match. https://live.media.weibo.com/live/show?id=1022:232050fe2e87345eb95566ef1e77c56a417321
Lu Guangzu playing better today against Li Shifeng than when he faced Huang Yuxiang in R14 of the double round robin stage.
A well-deserved victory by Lu Guangzu, has speed, accuracy, and few unforced errors. LSF looked a bit tense, perhaps feeling the pressure to equalize the score as Ruichang was 1-0 down, and didn't seem to play as freely as he could. I believe more intentional exposure and experience gained would develop his game further and help to realize his potential, he didn't play too badly in this match, just that LGZ is simply the better player today.
Next, watch if the new sensation Feng Yanzhe partnering Huang Yaqiong can pull one back for Ruichang versus Zheng Siwei/Huang Dongping, otherwise we may not see He Bingjiao takes on Chen Yufei after this match.
Remarkable, Feng Yanzhe , 19 years old, the youngest and the least experienced of the four, the other three being the top two pairs in the world, is a swift relentless attacker and defender, just like his famous senior across the court, Zheng Siwei.
No wonder Li Shifeng felt pressured aware that their XD pair is not on par with the opponent. 1-2 down for Ruichang in this XD match, looks to be slipping away
Feng Yanzhe's weaknesses finally exposed by their vastly experienced Best-of-The-Best opponents, ZSW and HDP. But, remember, FYZ created a sensation in his earlier XD and MD matches en route to the final. A raw talent, way to go.
Somewhat concerning, no Chen Long or Shi Yuqi (who appeared only once throughout the league) from the semifinals stage. Hope they are perfectly fine and deep in preparation for the future international events.
I noticed Zheng Siwei's return of serve from his regular XD partner Huang Yaqiong caught Feng Yanzhe several times in the follow-up.
Feng played well, didn't he? A little green at times but he's 19, cut him some slack. Congrats Qingdao!
