[ColoradoTree]

CT, how does Blake's near-equal competitiveness with Yepifanova compare with last year? -- i.e., has Blake noticeably improved relative to Yepifanova?

It’s hard to say for sure until we see them against better competition outside the team. Could be that both have improved but Blake has taken a real jump or could be that both have fallen off but Yepifanova by a lot more. 

Given that Yepifanova beat Ma and Blake was seeded above Yepifanova coming in, my working theory is that it’s the former. But I didn’t get the chance to watch much of this tournament, unfortunately, so I can’t comment too much on how Blake’s play has changed. 

And if it’s that they’ve both improved a decent amount? That’s why I’m excited. Ma-Yepi-Blake-Blokhina-Xu is a terrific top 5, and Geller or Houghton should be in great shape at 6.

[ColoradoTree]

CT, how does Blake's near-equal competitiveness with Yepifanova compare with last year? -- i.e., has Blake noticeably improved relative to Yepifanova?

It’s hard to say for sure until we see them against better competition outside the team. Could be that both have improved but Blake has taken a real jump or could be that both have fallen off but Yepifanova by a lot more. 

Given that Yepifanova beat Ma and Blake was seeded above Yepifanova coming in, my working theory is that it’s the former. But I didn’t get the chance to watch much of this tournament, unfortunately, so I can’t comment too much on how Blake’s play has changed. 

And if it’s that they’ve both improved a decent amount? That’s why I’m excited. Ma-Yepi-Blake-Blokhina-Xu is a terrific top 5, and Geller or Houghton should be in great shape at 6.