the three best duelists (still playing) last year are not at madrid. i guess we're just in a bad meta for good players
derke has been a top5 duelist in the world for three years and aspas has been a top 3 duelist in the world for two years
demon1 was a top 3 duelist in the world for a month
derke's and aspas's underperformances are a small hump in a great career. demon1's underperformance is half of his t1 lifespan.