Ahsan-219 vs SoulWind - SoulWind is simply more consistent and proven, even in a tier Ahsan-219 plays more often. I do think Ahsan has a nice degree of surprise factor going his way, which could tilt the scales enough to give him a game and a fighting chance at the series, but SoulWind got a solid draw here and he is just as likely as some of the top dogs to take this tournament. His teams are mostly well-picked and he rarely makes egregious mistakes nowadays.
Ox the Fox vs beatiful - Amazing pairing between two of the top ten players right now in SS OU. Ox has been doing it for a little shorter, but his year this year has been absurd. beatiful has had it going for about a year now and shows no signs of stopping. I think Ox is a little better at building right now and I will use this to justify bolding him, but it is as close to even as it gets. beatiful is really polished with his in-game play, taking risks without thinking twice and oftentimes seeing them work out in his favor. If he can keep momentum up, he may very well win, but I trust Ox to stand his ground and take it in 3.
Sagiri vs devin - Two players who have done a great job proving themselves. devin has taken a harder road and really proven himself through hard work and creativity. I love stories like that and will be pulling for him, but Sagiri has done well despite being a bit more soft-spoken and less known. Do not count him out as this will be very close.
Punny vs Storm Zone - Both very talented players with cool ideas. Storm Zone is a little more creative perhaps and came off a dynamic victory last round, but Punny has been a top player for a few years and it feels like he wins every single tour game I see him play. The guy is basically a machine. I expect Storm to be ready for the normal bulkier set-ups Punny enjoys in SS OU historically, so if Punny can change it up, even while remaining balanced, or come up with something more aggressive and keep up his play at a high level, I favor Punny. I think he is smart enough to pull that off, so I will give him the bold, but this is super close and Storm Zone is near even, if not favored, vs everyone in SS OU rn. Cannot wait to see this set, gl both!
Ox the Fox vs beatiful - Amazing pairing between two of the top ten players right now in SS OU. Ox has been doing it for a little shorter, but his year this year has been absurd. beatiful has had it going for about a year now and shows no signs of stopping. I think Ox is a little better at building right now and I will use this to justify bolding him, but it is as close to even as it gets. beatiful is really polished with his in-game play, taking risks without thinking twice and oftentimes seeing them work out in his favor. If he can keep momentum up, he may very well win, but I trust Ox to stand his ground and take it in 3.
Sagiri vs devin - Two players who have done a great job proving themselves. devin has taken a harder road and really proven himself through hard work and creativity. I love stories like that and will be pulling for him, but Sagiri has done well despite being a bit more soft-spoken and less known. Do not count him out as this will be very close.
Punny vs Storm Zone - Both very talented players with cool ideas. Storm Zone is a little more creative perhaps and came off a dynamic victory last round, but Punny has been a top player for a few years and it feels like he wins every single tour game I see him play. The guy is basically a machine. I expect Storm to be ready for the normal bulkier set-ups Punny enjoys in SS OU historically, so if Punny can change it up, even while remaining balanced, or come up with something more aggressive and keep up his play at a high level, I favor Punny. I think he is smart enough to pull that off, so I will give him the bold, but this is super close and Storm Zone is near even, if not favored, vs everyone in SS OU rn. Cannot wait to see this set, gl both!
