Personally, I don't like the second stage system – there's no incentive to strive for first place then (at least the opponent is "somewhat weaker" if you're playing against the 8th).
If 1 plays against 5, it's already "somewhat easier." A difference of 4 places is quite a lot.
But with this system, everyone has a chance. With 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7... there's still a chance, of course, but there are "more of them" ;)
