2024 WTT Contender Zagreb, Croatia June 3-9

[pongfugrasshopper]

World Table Tennis

worldtabletennis.com

Main draw starts on Thursday, June 6.

Day 2 of qualification stage already under way. Hiroto Shinozuka survives a scare down most of game 5 and Joe Seyfried up 9-7 with the serve. Shinozuka wins the next 4 points to advance to the next round. Shinozuka never took a timeout the entire match.

No Team China in this tournament, but a lot of really good players nonetheless. Even a number of strong qualifiers can make "upsets" in the Main Draw: Shinozuka, Noshad Alamiyan, Quek Issac among others in the MS, Odo and Yokoi among others in WS.

 

[Vlad Celler]

....Main draw starts on Thursday, June 6.

Already published...

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

Wow... very tough matchups in the opening round: Miwa vs. Joo Cheonhui and Kihara vs. SYB.

 

[driversbeat]

Hirano's first round opponent is Li Yu-Jhun who stretched her to a decider at Taiyuan. She's scheduled to meet Szocs in the quarters which will be an important match for Olympic seeding considering that only Szocs and Shin stand in her way of the 4th seed now.

Shin has a tough road to the finals and is unlikely to get there. Apart from Kihara, she will also meet her Seonbae Jeon at the quarters and maybe Ito/Miwa in the semis.

Both Ito and Miwa have to overcome potential stumbling blocks in Suthasini and Joo Cheonhui respectively.

 

[zeio]

WS QR2
Ch. Lutz 3-0 Yokoi (9, 8, 10)
https://youtu.be/0Yno_1Q7cV0?t=11235

Not looking good for Yokoi. More evidence that points toward my projection.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/wtt-2024-feeder-events.33518/page-3#post-453335
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/wtt-2024-feeder-events.33518/post-453367

 

[zeio]

Hirano's first round opponent is Li Yu-Jhun who stretched her to a decider at Taiyuan. She's scheduled to meet Szocs in the quarters which will be an important match for Olympic seeding considering that only Szocs and Shin stand in her way of the 4th seed now.

Shin has a tough road to the finals and is unlikely to get there. Apart from Kihara, she will also meet her Seonbae Jeon at the quarters and maybe Ito/Miwa in the semis.

Both Ito and Miwa have to overcome potential stumbling blocks in Suthasini and Joo Cheonhui respectively.

You may want to check out the seeding again, which will be based on the WR on 7/16. Ito blocking Hirano out of QF at Singapore Smash 2024 is starting to hurt. Hirano fending off Ito at Zennihon Takkyu 2024 instead of playing WTT SCT Doha, CT Doha and SCT Goa 2024 is starting to haunt. The selection race should have ended last year. Over-emphasis of Zennihon Takkyu on the part of JTTA shows the rigid and counter-productive nature of the Japanese society.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...ld-cup-2023-chengdu-12-4-10.31810/post-462401

Seeding on 7/16 based on WR on 6/4
WS
1 1 SYS
2 3 CM
3 5 Hayata
4 7 SYB 2270-400-280+130+100=1820
5 9 Szocs 1605-105+82=1582, 82 from WTTC 2024
11 11 Hirano 1513-400-70+45+45=1133, 243 from WTTC 2024
6 12 Diaz 1450
7 13 CIC 1447, 82 from WTTC 2024
8 14 JJH 1222-70+70=1222, 77 from XTWC 2023
9 15 YXX 1210 (for reference, not sure if she is eligible for Paris 2024)
10 17 Mittelham 1192, 82 from WTTC 2024
12 18 Takahashi 1127-140-35+35+20=1007, 42 from WTTC 2024

MS
1 1 WCQ
5 4 FZD 3403-600-280+139+105=2767, 333 from WTTC 2024
2 5 F. Lebrun 3377, 267 from WTTC 2024
4 6 Calderano 2935-210+100=2825
3 7 LYJ 2886, 166 from WTTC 2024
6 11 Harimoto 1875
7 12 QD 1755
8 13 JWJ 1630, 105 from WTTC 2024
10 14 Ovtcharov 1400-280+90=1210
14 15 Kallberg 1330-400+86=1016, 86 from XTWC 2023
10 16 Aruna 1280-105+35=1210
9 17 Freitas 1253, 88 from WTTC 2024
10 18 Jorgic 1210-55+55=1210
13 19 Togami 1145-105+45=1085
15 20 Moregard 1075-105+45=1015

https://youtu.be/K8MldJsSjl4?t=34

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

I think Yokoi does a poor job of anticipating and then reacting to the next shot. This is where Odo is superior to Yokoi in that her style is very free flowing and can quickly adapt to her opponent. Plus, she is mentally stronger. Will be interesting to see if she gets more chances to play internationally.

 

[kindof99]

What is the freaking point to squeeze so many tournaments in this short period of time? WTT, are you crazy?

Even as an avid amateur and audience, I pay little to no attention to these events.

 

[Janard]

Hirano's first round opponent is Li Yu-Jhun who stretched her to a decider at Taiyuan. She's scheduled to meet Szocs in the quarters which will be an important match for Olympic seeding considering that only Szocs and Shin stand in her way of the 4th seed now.

Shin has a tough road to the finals and is unlikely to get there. Apart from Kihara, she will also meet her Seonbae Jeon at the quarters and maybe Ito/Miwa in the semis.

Both Ito and Miwa have to overcome potential stumbling blocks in Suthasini and Joo Cheonhui respectively.

Out of curiosity, what happened to Cheng Hsien-Tzu? I remember she was groomed to be #3 but seems Li Yu-Jhun is the one now, presumably because she is younger.

 

[zeio]

Speaking of Cheng Hsien-Tzu, she thanks CTTTA for keeping in touch with HSTS and the travel agency.

https://udn.com/news/story/7005/8005363

台灣女雙組合簡彤娟與鄭先知這組「一左一右」搭配，儘管並非彼此固定搭檔，卻連2週打出驚奇，繼前一站在巴西里約熱內盧（Rio de Janeiro）挑戰賽獲得女雙亞軍，這次在阿根廷曼多薩（Mendoza）挑戰賽再度挺進決賽，對手將是日本組合森櫻與長崎美柚。

由於克羅埃西亞薩格勒布（Zagreb）挑戰賽明天開打在即，已報名單打賽事的鄭先知接受中央社記者訪問時表示，為避免因無故缺席、被扣除積分，只能選擇退出女雙冠軍戰，「我覺得很遺憾，但沒有辦法，到最後一刻才做出這個決定。」

鄭先知接獲通知後，僅剩半小時可以收行李，趕赴機場後才確定開票成功，她指出，由於位處南美洲，以她臨時改機票轉飛歐洲為例，至少得轉機3次，只能選擇放棄這站雙打賽事，同時也感謝中華民國桌球協會持續與克羅埃西亞桌協、旅行社協調。

對於搭檔鄭先知退賽，這次曼多薩挑戰賽確定以亞軍作收，簡彤娟也大方給予祝福，希望鄭先知後續比賽順利。

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Out of curiosity, what happened to Cheng Hsien-Tzu? I remember she was groomed to be #3 but seems Li Yu-Jhun is the one now, presumably because she is younger.

major injury/surgery

she won the national championships last year, her first domestic dominance since her recovery
the games did miss CIC and Chen, but, the rest of the best were there and she dominated.

CHT isn't young any more, but she still trains very hard.
every time I visit Cathay, she is always training like she needs to achieve some very high goals of that day.
Doesn't waste a min (ie when change of practice partners, or practice partner goes to toilet, she will turn to practicing serves, even just for few minutes).

The no 3 position for Taiwan is currently fought by a few (for OG teams).

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

What is the freaking point to squeeze so many tournaments in this short period of time? WTT, are you crazy?

Even as an avid amateur and audience, I pay little to no attention to these events.

I have to agree, following that constant youtube viewing, is very tiring too (and i'm not talking about vpn issues lol)
before, you would look forward to it, but now, it is like on almost weekly and that does remove the hype or enjoyment or following.

It feels like a NBA season now, of 82 matches a year, haha

 

[zeio]

Out of curiosity, what happened to Cheng Hsien-Tzu? I remember she was groomed to be #3 but seems Li Yu-Jhun is the one now, presumably because she is younger.

On Cheng Hsien-Tzu's condition, here is what she had to say back in 2021.

https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2046415

亮麗外型與優質球技兼具的桌球漂亮寶貝鄭先知，此次為了備戰東奧，面對強大壓力選擇狂吃舒壓，也讓自身體重飆升將近5到6公斤。

鄭先知說，「除了體重變化，身體內分泌也出現失調，包括濕疹、青春痘都紛紛找上門，讓自己真的很崩潰。」

但鄭先知強調，「為了能踏上奧運舞台，我不會後悔，下屆巴黎奧運肯定還是想要參加，但前提是得先把身體狀況給調養好。」

[心得] 思羽和先知，似乎扛不住
https://www.ptt.cc/bbs/tabletennis/M.1627902045.A.E1C.html

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/dang-qiu.23896/post-321186

 

[zeio]

WS QR2
Ch. Lutz 3-0 Yokoi (9, 8, 10)

Not looking good for Yokoi. More evidence that points toward my projection.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/wtt-2024-feeder-events.33518/page-3#post-453335
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/wtt-2024-feeder-events.33518/post-453367

https://youtu.be/0Yno_1Q7cV0?t=11231

Yokoi got pinned down by Lutz's BH serve to deep BH and short FH and failed to adjust the whole match. What's even more deflating is that she got trumped in both FH AND BH exchanges. Despite the score line, Yokoi never had the lead except for G3.

Charlotte is 1 year younger than Yokoi and Odo, and has higher potential than Pavade if proper guidance is provided. For LA 2028, these 2 will likely be the WS players for France, with YJN playing in WT if no newcomers come up.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...pionships-finals-busan-2024.32987/post-444602

Charlotte is more promising than her sister Camille, who is short-tempered like Alexis.

https://web.archive.org/web/2024012...3043416426&w=3VVHb863ae50cMcFBrWyn563dBYXp3v2

Charlotte Lutz vs CIC
G1 810, 1210
G2 41, 42, 52, 53, 73, 75, 85, 105, 109 TO for Lutz, 119
G3 04, 24, 25, 35, 46, 66 TO for CIC, 611
G4 08, 19, 29, 211
G5 01, 31, 33, 53, 54, 64, 66, 76, 77, 87, 810, 1110, 1112, 1212, 1214
G6 31, 33, 53, 54, 55 Lutz served into the net, 56, 66, 611
The 18-year-old started playing senior event last year.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

On Cheng Hsien-Tzu's condition, here is what she had to say back in 2021.

https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2046415

sadly that part is true.
I saw it with my own eyes

the pressure that pros deals with, is impossible for the masses to understand.

having last seen CHT in person - around 1 month ago (before she went out on tour), Cheng is very fit and looking good. Troubles seem to be, behind her now.

But getting the 3rd spot for OG teams... is going to be very tough.
Without much time left....there is 4 players in front of her.

 

[fore.n.back]

Shinozuka stops at the 2nd qualifying round to Picard, same problem as Togami against Ovtcharov. He can't fully return the backhand serve well and got caught in Picard's game

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

What is the freaking point to squeeze so many tournaments in this short period of time? WTT, are you crazy?

I also just saw an old article I posted, about pro athlete performance on how it is difficult to go on tournaments for 2 weeks in a row...

basically there has been research made on our the body can peak and one should be using certain "build ups" to allow the body to peak when it matters the most.
Pros can all comment on this, as you can't just peak every week for 6 weeks going.

 

[zeio]

WS QR3
Odo 3-2 Plaian (6, 5, -11, -8, 4)
Cheng Hsien-Tzu 3-2 Dragoman (-5, -4, 9, 7, 9)

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

A really good couple of wins by Jinnipa Sawettabut: Yuan Wan and then Natalia Bajor to make it to the Main Draw.

 

[NextLevel]

A really good couple of wins by Jinnipa Sawettabut: Yuan Wan and then Natalia Bajor to make it to the Main Draw.

She is becoming dangerous like her sister.