Amazing play by Zhang Ning. Such a different player from a coouple of years ago. Maybe Camilla and Mia were following Chinese team orders in the 2nd set of their games as well
It's the WC WS finals medals presentation! Zhang really played extremely well with some very exquisite net shots.
Yikes, no wonder I didn't know who that was. Gong has definitely gotten prettier... I remember Kwun posted a pic of Gong a ways back that was of her off the court and she looked much better than on court. Zhang looks better in the pic than on court also.
Ooops, forgot to vote. Of the two, I think Gong looks better, but only when she looks like that. Some of her on court photos are not so good..... But IMHO, at the moment, the best-looking Chinese lady is Zhao Ting Ting. Regarding Zhang's sudden victory though, does anybody think that China's finally allowing her to play to full potential? Because, last year, Zhang made it to 4 grand prix gold medal finals. In all 4 finals, Zhang was facing either Zhou Mi or Gong RN. She lost all 4 by a fair score. This year at AE 2003, faced Zhou and lost again. Then dominates the competition at WC. Perhaps China saw she was playing so well against Camilla and Mia that she should not bow down to Gong??
last nite match Zhang looked so much stronger even when Gong was leading by 4-0 and what about the rumour about when two chinese players meet the one who loses the first match will have to throw away the second?
Really happy for Zhang Ning. With the tough lost to Mia in 94 Uber cup, the used to be called "future star" Zhang Ning (19 yrs old) just became a "public enemy" (a lot of ppl can't understand how she could lose to a 14 yrs old). Heard that she had some serious problem with her confidence, and did not fully recovered until 96. Good to see she wipped out both Carmilla and Mia in smooth effort, and consider the match against Mia more like a sweet revenge. The helpless face of Mia in 2nd set, was just a "historical" image back 9 yrs ago on Zhang's face. Fighter harder, and never give up...
1. It's not a rumor. Even Li Yongbo confirmed about that. 2. I don't think such method applies in final. The team strategy is to save stamina for player who advance to the next round. For the final, I guess it will be 100% free for all.
With China's tendancy to replace players at a younger age than compared to other nations, one has to wonder how many more years of play will the 28 yrs old Zhang see? Perhaps, this was the last monumental victory in her life? Maybe retire after Athens? It's quite surprising that she's still playing for China at that age, and still so good!
Amazingly, Gong ZC is 2 years younger than Zhang Ning. Gong ZC had to retire, but Zhang Ning could keep on playing. I don't understand the Chinese coaches' policy. The way Zhang Ning dominated in the WC, look like only Gong ZC can give her a good match.
