WTT CHAMPIONS MONTPELLIER

[zeio]

But in the same way, LYJ should have it better against WCQ. Yet, comparing their H2H against WCQ and LSD, Harimoto has the better overall record. The fact remains that LYJ has not adapted his game as well as Harimoto has.

 

[kindof99]

But in the same way, LYJ should have it better against WCQ. Yet, comparing their H2H against WCQ and LSD, Harimoto has the better overall record. The fact remains that LYJ has not adapted his game as well as Harimoto has.

LSD is right handed. It is harder for a lefty to return illegal serves from right handed players. Same that HT has worse results against WCQ than LYJ.

 

[RefereeNumber2]

For all this talk about illegal serving, it's interesting that LSD won 19/32 = 59.4% of points on his own serve, and 20/34 = 58.8% of points on LYJ's serve for the match. I would have expected there to be a much bigger difference if the illegal serve was such an advantage.

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

So happy for Odo. She's playing incredible. Strong game all around serve, receive, rally.

 

[zeio]

A very ugly loss and revelation. Solid proof that Ito goes deeper into the draw more often than Hirano just because of her WR. Her tricks that got Odo at ATTC 2024 2 weeks ago failed miserably here. Like Hirano, Ito tried in G1, and changed it up in G2 but still was forced to give up subsequently. The poor body language was a clear sign that she was hard-countered. No T.League and injury-free, what now?

QF
Odo 3-1 Ito (9, 8, -6, 6)
G1 42, 47, 87, 108, 109, 119
G2 40 sideline edge service ace, 42, 72, 73, 83, 84 Odo served off the table, 94, 96 dead net for Ito and TO for Odo, 106, 108, 118
G3 03, 13 Ito forced it and smashed into the net, 33, 36, 46, 410, 610, 611
Ito turned to the long BH pushes to push back Odo from the table and force errors
G4 41 TO for Ito, 71, 72 dead net for Ito, 73, 93, 95, 105, 106, 116

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/attc-2024-astana-10-7-13.34886/post-485291

Ito's desire was there but her body shape, reaction time, and technical/tactical execution, which peaked between late 2019 and early 2020, were a shell of her former self. Even if she knew what to do, she just couldn't get it done. Most top players with double-inverted style know how to play her. The QF against Odo made that abundantly clear. SYS's withdrawal, SHW taking out Pyon Song Gyong, and her WR got her a bronze medal here, which is way more than her current game could've gotten her. She should feel satisifed with it.

 

[zeio]

LSD is right handed. It is harder for a lefty to return illegal serves from right handed players. Same that HT has worse results against WCQ than LYJ.

Read my post again. LYJ should have it better with WCQ and Harimoto worse. The reality? LYJ has 3 wins only against WCQ versus 2 for Harimoto. Harimoto is up 3W1L against LSD whereas LYJ is 0W4L.

Lastly, the winning percentage on their own serves paints a different picture.

 

[mikeytt]

Harimoto on fire in this first game

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

A very ugly loss and revelation. Solid proof that Ito goes deeper into the draw more often than Hirano just because of her WR. Her tricks that got Odo at ATTC 2024 2 weeks ago failed miserably here. Like Hirano, Ito tried in G1, and changed it up in G2 but still was forced to give up subsequently. The poor body language was a clear sign that she was hard-countered. No T.League and injury-free, what now?

QF
Odo 3-1 Ito (9, 8, -6, 6)
G1 42, 47, 87, 108, 109, 119
G2 40 sideline edge service ace, 42, 72, 73, 83, 84 Odo served off the table, 94, 96 dead net for Ito and TO for Odo, 106, 108, 118
G3 03, 13 Ito forced it and smashed into the net, 33, 36, 46, 410, 610, 611
Ito turned to the long BH pushes to push back Odo from the table and force errors
G4 41 TO for Ito, 71, 72 dead net for Ito, 73, 93, 95, 105, 106, 116

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/attc-2024-astana-10-7-13.34886/post-485291

sad for Mima. "only" 24 but it looks she's already too old to play her style. she's a fraction less reactive and sharp than she used to be. and people know how to play her. ODO just served long to her BH like (for example) CM does...
painful to watch. maybe after all Zeio will be proven right and we'll see an early retirement from Mima ???

 

[mikeytt]

Harimoto on fire in this first game

and the second and the third... great performance

 

[driversbeat]

Ito's mental game is so weak now. After winning a game you'd expect her to play more positively in the fourth game but she showed her frustration immediately after losing the first point. I think she still can do it with a good coach and sports counsellor because she did manage to find some rhythm and answers towards the end of the 4th game, but you can't play that negatively at this level and expect to win.

Hirano and Ito: 'Odo? Oh no'

Odo is technically more modern and advanced than her senpais IMO and in a WTT event like that with less pressure that difference shows. Even if Hayata's injury forces an early retirement (she'll have to claw her way back after a 1-2 year hiatus anyway) both of them will might have trouble making the next Olympic team. Will we see the golden generation fighting for the third spot in LA?

 

[backspacer]

was hoping for LYJ to do the kill and remove all CNT in the men's section.
Hope one of the Lebruns can finish the job

I have word that umpires actually use video to determine who is doing the head/shoulder hide and thus warning them.

so I am glad they are using technology to punish the culprits

They do have a tablet, but weird how LSD got away then. ITTF should announce that they introduced technology to help umpires make calls because it's a big change.

 

[zeio]

Harimoto has cut down on his use of the chiquita from 6:10 down in the 5th against Kallberg and it continues here against Franziska. He is walking the talk for real and learning from his losses.

 

[rpb23]

Poor Franz couldn't take one game out of Harimoto. Seems he has more difficulties dealing with fast but consistent players.

Well, one German down, send another German. Duda is waiting... Good luck!

 

[zeio]

sad for Mima. "only" 24 but it looks she's already too old to play her style. she's a fraction less reactive and sharp than she used to be. and people know how to play her. ODO just served long to her BH like (for example) CM does...
painful to watch. maybe after all Zeio will be proven right and we'll see an early retirement from Mima ???

Jiang Jialiang retired at 25 and Deng Yaping at 24.

Zhang Yining and Li Xiaoxia have also said on video record a few years ago that Ito would peak and then drop off around that age. There is a reason CNT ditched the short-pips style.

p.s.
While we are at it, that's why I wrote that Hirano knew when to stop, unlike Hayata, who said she had to play even more aggressively for LA 2028, all the while admitting that she has trouble putting on muscle and so is injury-prone. For the time being, I say their odds for LA 2028 are still roughly the same, despite the fact that the selection system will be largely based on WR. This will be the first 4-year Olympic cycle after Rio 2016. Too many uncertainties and way more variables.

 

[rpb23]

Jiang Jialiang retired at 25 and Deng Yaping at 24.

Zhang Yining and Li Xiaoxia have also said on video record a few years ago that Ito would peak and then drop off around that age. There is a reason CNT ditched the short-pips style.

Liu Guoliang also retired at very early age, maybe 24.
Top level short-pips play has to rely on pure speed and quick reflex as players have to stay close to the table. These two attributes probably peak at around 24.

 

[Peter93]

Jiang Jialiang retired at 25 and Deng Yaping at 24.

Zhang Yining and Li Xiaoxia have also said on video record a few years ago that Ito would peak and then drop off around that age. There is a reason CNT ditched the short-pips style.

I still feel like this is more of Mima issue than a short pips issue per se. She hasn't adapted her game at all, plays incredibly high risk, and is at a physical disadvantage being so short. Sun Mingyang just crushed Qian Tianyi at nationals recently. Miyuu Kihara used to be a lot closer in style to Mima was, but I think she recognized that her game needed to adapt and become more well rounded to compete consistently at higher levels which is why she switched equipment, starting spinning the ball more, and more recently has begun twiddling on serve returns.

Liu Guoliang also retired at very early age, maybe 24.
Top level short-pips play has to rely on pure speed and quick reflex as players have to stay close to the table. These two attributes probably peak at around 24.

I feel like this is the worst example to use against the SP style because Liu Guoliang's peak also coincided with

1) The ball changing size
2) Hidden serves being banned
3) The aspect ratio and pimple density rule change.

A lot of this is less about the equipment and more about the capabilities of the player, and in most cases the most talented players are usually also double inverted because that gives you the maximal amount of spin and speed on both sides which they can leverage.

 

[NetProphet]

Ok, battle of the Brothers.

Predictions anyone?

I actually reckon Alexis for this one based on recent form ...

 

[d3nium]

I can't wait for this match!

I think Alexis will win but it won't be easy. I can see it going to 5.

 

[backspacer]

Who will scream first, though?

 

[Robin0910]

What was that rally holy hell!!! At 4-5 3rd game