I remember the time when Bao Yixin was partnered with Tang Jinhua (I'm not talking about Tang Yuanting), the pair rose quickly to stardom and was on a roll until they cracked up during the Uber Cup'14 and since then their results had been uneven leading to their separation. I supposed that experience convinced LYB and coaches that it's unwise to pair two highly promising but relatively young and inexperienced players and hoped they could withstand any pressure on the big occasions (the smaller and normal tournaments are less of a problem). In other words,they probably thought the safer option is to combine a young, rising star with an older but much more experienced, established player as a pair so they can complement each other's strengths and weakness(es).
Its confirmed starting next year Ma Jin will partner with Tian Qing, so I guess there would be no more TQ/ZYL
If it's true Ma Jin to partner Tian Qing, what happens to Zhao Yunlei, will she still play WD and with whom? Also if Ma Jin/Tian Qing combination is confirmed, I suppose Tang Yuanting/Yu Yang is too. Imho, for Zhao Yunlei to do double duties in XD and WD is viable as it is considerably less taxing, the workload is not as heavy for the ladies as for the men doing the same in XD and MD as in Zhang Nan's case. While I've no doubt about Zhang Nan's physical fitness capacity, we are talking about winning two titles at the highest level where being in tip-top condition round after round all the way to the final is required; if you are half-spent, you're as good as giving your opponents a handicap.
i think LYB will decide in or around July 2016 which two WD pairs will go to Rio. My random guess is that LYB will have a 4 to 5 combinations of WD pairs within Top 16 ranks. For example, TYT/MJ and TYT/YY may be both within 16 in early May 2016. Likewise, TQ/ZYL and TQ/MJ may both be within top 16 in early May 2016.
The rumour may not be far-fetched esp after seeing how the sole CHN representative, WD Tang Yuanting/Yu Yang, winning at the Bitburger Open last week. That leaves Ma Jin without a regular WD partner. But I'd have thought Zhao Yunlei/Tian Qing makes an ace pair , CHN's best WD at the moment, better than the unkown potential of Ma Jin/Tian Qing. Furthermore, there's not that much time left till the end of the Rio Olympics Qualification cycle next May 1st to ensure at least one very best pair is confirmed. Assuming Zhao Yunlei is still playing WD for Rio 2016, who might be her new partner, another 'senior-junior' combination? Bao Yixin, Tang Jinhua, Zhong Qianxin, Huang Yaqiong, or even Li Yinhui ? The new IOC/BWF quota ruling of max two pairs per NOC is certainly giving CBA a real big headache with their depth in WD.
Yeah , too spoilt for choice and with only two pairs going to Rio, there are bound to be many broken hearts. I guess, once again LYB has to play the bad guy in the end, his is an unenviable job, trying and unpleasant.
Quite true, now CBA only needs to choose two from any number of their pairs in the top 16, unlike before where she was allowed to choose three if they have four in the top 4.
As far as my understanding, Rio's Olympic quota for doubles event still apply same rule with London's. A NOC can send max 2 pairs if and only if both are in top 8. http://www.bwfbadminton.org/file.aspx?id=529944&dl=1 IMO, it is hard for CHN to put 3 - 4 pairs in top 8 without playing them regularly.
quite right. it should be top 8, not top 16. This means, they will all be within Top 10, so they have to comply with those stupid WADA testing on a regular and/or random basis. Worst, they may be fined if they don't show up in any PSS event next year!!!
If you look at the rankings, there are only 4 pairs in contention. I'd go for Tian Qing/Zhao Yun Lei as a safe bet. The other three have to fight it out: - Yu Yang and Wang Xiao Li are going to lose a lot of ranking points after next week. Is Wang Xiao Li out with injury? - Ma Jin and Tang Yuan Ting have to step up their game - Luo twins haven't been terribly convincing.