If its alternate breaks then the shorter race
will suffice, but there would still be unanswered questions.
That is the problem. We have been waiting a LONG time to see these two do battle. The last thing we should have when the dust settles is unanswered questions. This match should answer the questions many of us have long asked, is SVB really the best of the best. If he beats Ko handily in a race to 50 it will answer the question for once and for all as Ko is one of the truly elite players in Asia and is said to be one of the few that has a break that can nearly match SVB's.
Race to 21 simply will not answer the questions, it will be a fun match to watch, but not solve anything as far as finally determining who is the best. It is too short a race when you are dealing with guys who can put huge packages out like both of these guys can. A set like a race to 21 could conceivably be over in 3-4 turns at the table if either player gets a hot start. In a race to 50 both players are going to get their chances to shine and show us what they can do.