look at Hendra Setiawan first, so we can compare to LD, who is really lucky. btw, Hendra / Ahsan won 22-20 24-22 in first match at Denmark SSP 2014, means only 2 points difference in all sets. this is the data how many LD and Hendra Setiawan won by only 2 points...and only in MAJOR EVENTS Lin Dan 2006 World Championships vs Chen Hong 15-21 21-19 21-14 2007 World Championships vs Anup S 22-20 21-19 vs BCL 21-12 22-20 vs SDK 21-11 22-20 2008 Olympics --- (LD was very dominant ; the closest one is Chen Jin, win only 21-18 in certain set) 2009 World Championships vs Gade 22-20 21-16 2010 World Championships --- 2011 World Championships vs LCW 20-22 21-14 23-21 2012 Olympics vs LCW 15-21 21-10 21-19 2013 World Championships vs CWF 22-20 21-10 vs CL 21-13 22-20 lose in certain set : 2011 World Championships vs Gade 22-24 21-7 21-15 TOTAL : 9 - 1 for Lin Dan http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/f...123F-AA87-41A2-BC3E-CB57133E64CC&q=50906&id=2 Hendra Setiawan : 2006 World Championships vs Sudket / Patapol 22-20 21-13 vs CTF / LLW 22-20 21-10 2007 World Championships vs Tadashi / Keita 22-20 21-19 vs Candra / Tony 21-12 21-19 vs CTF / LLW 22-20 28-26 vs JJS / LYD 21-19 21-19 2008 Olympics vs Guo / Xie 22-20 10-21 21-17 vs Lars / Jonas 21-19 21-17 2010 World Championships vs Adam / Michal 23-21 21-17 2013 World Championships vs Alvent / Markis 21-19 21-17 vs Cai / Fu 21-19 21-17 vs Boe / Mogensen 21-13 23-21 TOTAL : 12-0 for Hendra Setiawan notes : LD never won a match in major event with only 2 points in all sets ; Hendra did it 3 times
since someone also included Asian Games when LD can win over : Hu Yun after trailing 13-20 or something LCW with 16-20 deficit so I will say, LD also had 20-18 or something against TH in AG 2006, but lose 20-22 in G2. btw, Hendra with Kido lose 16-21 vs KKK / TBH in AG 2010 final G1, but only can win 26-24 and 21-19 in G2 and G3 really lucky.
I can only say Lin Dan's drive and motivation nowadays not as strong as before, that coupled with his new style of play makes him more vulnerable,beatable, unless he sets his mind on winning it, then nobody can stop him. You can say it's up to Lin Dan whether he wants to win it or not for matches or tournaments that don't figure highly in his priorities. At the CCTV interview after the Incheon AG he said nowadays he is adaptable to circumstances (能拿得起、也放得下literally able to take it up or put it down ) and not afraid to lose. As for training, he emphasized quality not quantity (implying,imo, he's training fewer hours and not as hard). For me, Lin Dan often when facing opponents other than Lee CW or Chen Long appears very relaxed, almost casual, and enjoying himself, playing with little intensity or sense of urgency.And I don't have to remind everyone that he has put his family first since the London Olympics - just the other week before the AG, he appeared in Nicholas Tse's culinary TV program, after which he made arrangements to learn how to cook a dish with Nicholas and another lady specially to surprise his mother. Sometimes I feel he's pushing his luck too far and taking too many chances, I won't be surprised it backfires on him occasionally.Just count the number of players who has taken a set off him recently. But, not to worry, it won't happen on the big occasions. Can't really blame him as he's been there and done that so many times - in fact he's completed badminton's Grand Slams at least twice over - naturally, his priorities and goals in life have changed significantly, the more so for a hugely successful man past 30 and setting up family.
