From MS qualifying round, two veterans and two youngsters proceed into main draw. Hans Kristian Vittinghus, Liew Daren will up against Lu Guangzu and Asian Games Champion Jonatan Christie respectively today. Both Japan A team newest member Koki Watanabe and China former world junior champion Sun Feixiang will find decent test to rate their ability and development. One of MD strong contenders, Ahsan/Setiawan commit quite lot errors in their flat exchanging play that troubling the Chinese particularly Zhang Nan's tall partner Ou Xuanyi, 21-19 / 24-22 who relying mostly with hard smash. Japan's Koga/Saito smash former world champions Ko SH/Shin BC convincingly, 21-13 / 21-12. Other results saw some seeded pairs Alfian/Ardianto, Kamura/Sonoda, Li/Liu also prevail without much problem. In women's doubles opening round highlight witnessing Polii/Rahayu pass opening round in nail biting tie to outlast Baek HN/Jung KE in long duration 90 minutes match, 21-17 / 20-22 / 23-21. ROUND OF 32 (11.00am) => https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/...74F318-A951-4C8F-9451-5DA3F33DF6C3&d=20200108 *MATCH HIGHLIGHTS* - Lin Dan (CHN) v Jan O Jorgensen (DEN) - Anders Antonsen (DEN) v Lee Zii Jia (MAS) - Shi Yuqi (CHN) v Wang Tzu Wei (TPE) - Son Wan Ho (KOR) v Chen Long (CHN) - Kidambi Srikanth (IND) v Chou Tien Chen (TPE) - Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) v Sung Ji Hyun (KOR) - Carolina Marin (ESP) v Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) - Gregoria M.Tunjung (INA) v Ratchanok Intanon (THA) - Goh SH/Shevon Lai (MAS) v He JT/Du Y (CHN)
Liew Daren just took the 2nd set against Jonathan Christie. Not what I was expecting. And two of the WS seeds were pushed to 3 games already. It felt like it wasn't that long ago since Kidambi was one of the seeds himself, can't be fun having to face the 2nd ranked player in the world in your first matches again.
It's like Christie can't read Liew Daren as well as Daren reads him, can't seem to find the cracks in the defense right now. And Liew is really fighting.
Kidambi was demolished by CTC in game 2. Kidambi, plz don't dream again for second quota to TOKYO. Full of money. Well settled life. What else you need, right...
Nishimoto played quite bad this time! He played a little faster than Momota and this cause lacking precision when he hit the shuttle to two far corners (the back line). His clear shots (Nishimoto) was "too neutral" (so near the centre line). I think Nishimoto cannot surpass Viktor at tomorrow.
Wow, Huang Yuxiang booted out Ginting in two straight sets, 21-16, 22-20. Too bad, all livestreams not working.
Destroyed is the word... While on one hand CTC is in full form and KS isn't probably at 100%, on the other hand it seems there is a terrible, borderline amateurish (or so it seems to me), management of the image and probably the time of Indian players. While I'm aware they must still train hard I don't see why they only post photos of them attending galas, meeting officials or promoting brands non related to badminton on their social media accounts. No one from their staff seems to think it gives them an image of athletes disconnected from the actual sport. Most players post about badminton 90% of the time on their account and it seems they think badminton 90% of the time. But in the case of PVS, KS or even SN now (I mean really?! ) it seems it's ok to mainly project this glamorous/celebrity image instead of the one of an athlete. When I see PVS or KS on court I see divas now... They are amazing players and I hope they regain control of their focus soon! Right now it seems to me they aren't giving their best and their focus is elsewhere.
Sameer and Prannoy beating Kantaphon and Tsuneyama respectively. That's surprising considering their form.
Hmm, I saw Ginting won 6 points in a row in game 2. He was probably the best player in the world during that period.
