WTT CHAMPIONS MONTPELLIER

[zeio]

Too many nets and edges for Odo. Harimoto pushed really hard (honestly too hard) in G4 that she was catching breath. Turning to the reverse pendulum after the poor start in G5 shows she knew she had to stop.

You can only push supercompensation so much.

F
Harimoto 2-4 Odo (-4, 9, 9, -11, -7, -4)

 

[Robin0910]

Satsuki Odo was the true dark horse all along. From a newbie in terms of more prestigious WTT events to a champion

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

I've got nothing else to say except Satsuki Odo is amazing!!!!!!

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

and that was the great final S.ODO - MIWA !!!!

 

[NextLevel]

So is Odo now at a level where Harimoto who beat Sun Yingsha and Wang Yidi and surpassed Hayata should be losing to her? Youth is an interesting thing, that is the best I can say in Harimoto's defense, More so because playing your teammate takes away your coach and when you are younger, that is a big deal.

 

[turbozed]

These French fans' reaction to those Odo backhands was one of the best moments of the match lol

 

[zeio]

Not so fast. She won the first against KKY and lost going away. At best you might blame the ball helping KKY smashes. But dismissing KKY is not so easy.

Yup. Fatigue was a definite factor for Harimoto's loss but the way she pushed herself in G3 and went her out of breath in G4 tells me her game still needs more polishing.

This final against Odo shows the same problem. It's bo7 and she still pushed herself in G4 when she should've regrouped and adjusted her game by turning to the reverse pendulum sooner, which she did only after trailing so much in G5.

 

[zeio]

So is Odo now at a level where Harimoto who beat Sun Yingsha and Wang Yidi and surpassed Hayata should be losing to her? Youth is an interesting thing, that is the best I can say in Harimoto's defense, More so because playing your teammate takes away your coach and when you are younger, that is a big deal.

A little convenient to forget how bad she lost to Batra at ATTC 2024. Nervousness was a factor but as I noted, she peaked at the wrong time.

I remember WCT said in an interview some time after getting World Cup 2016 bronze that he failed to peak for Rio 2016.

 

[turbozed]

Seriously though, what was that performance by Odo? I watched all her matches in this even and in ATTC and I didn't see any of those crazy BH shots or far behind the table play. Some of the most stylish shots I've seen in the women's game.

She must've been in one of those Ping Pong: The Animation type flow states.

 

[Robin0910]

Felix’s been demolishing Harimoto so far. Harimoto is getting countered left and right

 

[Lkhfly]

The CNT is probably in red alert mode. If I'm them, I will make sure of 3 things:

+ Beg FZD & Ma Long to not retire: FZD will probably still play due to sponsorships, but if CNT could extend ML just for 1-2 more years for the next gen (LSD, XP) to really mature, that'd be really good. ML still has that tactical game and overall aura that's unmatched. If either ML or FZD play, we wouldn't be seeing the strings of upsets lately.

+ Retire LJK & LGY (mens), WYD & CXT (womens) to make way for more Chinese youths: this is self-explanatory. Japan, France youths are way surpassing Chinese youths at this point in both men and women.

+ Train and take it slow with LSD / WCQ: both are young with great techniques BUT lack important tournament fighting experience and have some glaring holes in their games (WCQ forehand defense and LSD over-dependence game on the mid-distance game, it doesn't work well against consistent players). But honestly, WCQ mental game might not ever be fixed (look at LGY). I believe LSD can dominate in 2-3 years though.
They can be China's hope in 2-3 years at least, but definitely not now. At least 1-2 more WTTC. That's why Ma Long and FZD is desperately needed. I think FZD will definitely stay - but there are rumors of CNT making him unhappy so they have to take care of his needs until then.

 

[Shifu]

Felix‘ timing is uncomfortable. I don’t like watching him. So rushed/stressful.

 

[fore.n.back]

At these moment it'd be great if Togami can lend Harimoto his forehand

 

[zeio]

Too many nets and edges for Felix.

Harimoto pushed his shots in G3 after easing in G2, but that's where the experience gap between him and LSD showed, he managed to adjust in G4. Not easy to get that done when you're so far behind and playing against the homecrowd.

 

[Robin0910]

Well, this afternoon wasn’t too kind to the Harimoto family but they both gave us a tremendously nice final. Congrats to S. Odo and Felix Lebrun!!

 

[TampaBayTableTennis]

what a moment and what a win. congratulations Felix!

 

[turbozed]

Montpelier Felix really looked unbeatable out there.

This is the event to point out to anyone who doubts homecourt advantage.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

 

[fore.n.back]

Satsuki Odo was the true dark horse all along. From a newbie in terms of more prestigious WTT events to a champion

Her WTT path is comprehensive, choosing the Feeder series as a training ground to build consistency, then fight the Contender to get experience with higher level player, then back to Feeder to train.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

Table Tennis is fast becoming the second most popular sport in France (behind football=soccer) !!