ITTF Men's and Women's World Cup Macao 2025, 4/14-20

[turbozed]

Was able to find a Brazilian commentary version of Hugo's championship point. Historic moment in TT deserves a more exciting call then what we got with the ITTF English broadcast.

 

[NextLevel]

Yeah, they used different balls there but it’s not black and white. LSD lost to Hugo mainly because he couldn’t keep the ball short and got destroyed when pushing long/ half-long (there were other weaknesses exploited too).
Ma Long’s short game is one of the best if not the best in the world and his play style is completely different from LSD. His works more against Hugo as he would force Fh to Fh rallies which LSD didn’t force since backhand is his strong suit too.
But as you said, we can’t be too sure because this ball was seamless and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Ma Long play with seamless balls.

And what also supports my confidence is that their last 3 encounters were
4-0 (China Smash)
3-0
4-1
All to Ma Long’s and their last encounter actually at China Smash where Hugo got destroyed.

Hugo was going through a post-Olympics depression at the time. Ma Long clearly had his number but so did Wang Chuqin and Harimoto before this tournament. In fact the shock of seeing Hugo beat Harimoto led me to initially assume Harimoto missed something calling a timeout at 1-1, 8-8, when now it is obvious that he was struggling to contain Hugo's game and felt it. So I get the reliance on past results but past results would have predicted Hugo losing to Harimoto and WCQ and LSD was 2-3 vs Hugo 2 years ago, so he should have done better in the present. Past results definitely didn't predict a 4-1 bashing.

So as in all things, we all have opinions but we do not know.

 

[blahness]

Did you notice how LSD tried to lift Calderano's under spin serves, first with his BH then with his FH and he failed both times, after that He started respecting that serve and just tried to chop those serves back as hard as he could, however Hugo would third-ball those returns and LSD was frustrated as hell, amazing level displayed by Calderano.

Yep, Hugo's high toss heavy pure underspin serve is no joke - it is extremely spinny and also he has a no spin variant which looks very similar. He also serves the sideunder/sidetop with the same high toss. But he was mainly serving heavy pure underspin/no spin for short serves during the World Cup. This also benefits him because the only serve that is extremely hard to chiquita is the low short heavy pure underspin serve. This forces the push game and that is when the no spin really comes to hurt. Whereas sideunder/sidetop can be chiquitaed a lot easier because of the sidespin that can be borrowed. So this forces the push-push-1st attack game which Hugo proved to be superior at.

The other really good thing that Hugo did was not to push the hook serves but to attack them decisively to LSD's FH (which is slower than his BH counter). LSD got scared and didn't serve a lot of sidetopspin /no spin which again played into Hugo's game. Imo LSD should have insisted on serving sidetopspin to force the rally, and focus on dealing with Hugo's chiquita.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

This is funny (repost)

Reason why China loss
1) seamless ball
2) TTR
3) Macao is friendly towards Portuguese (speaking)

 

[NetProphet]

Have you seen last year how he came back against Lin Gaoyuan at the same event? Ma Long would’ve found a solution. Lin Shidong literally played right into Hugo’s hand starting from the second game. I’m not saying he would’ve 100% won but I’d have rather bet on him even seeing Hugo’s performance today.

Well that match was a masterclass in tactics imo. For 3 sets Ma Long played like Ma Long but LGY blocked so well he actually used Ma Longs power against him. Or so it seemed to me at least.
Then at 0-3 it was like Ma Long decided 'ok, if I take my foot off a little let's see if you can generate enough power yourself'. And of course LGY couldn't and Ma Long blocked him around the table just waiting for the right opportunities. And once LGY got nervous after 2-3 it was finished!
The difference being that Hugo has the power so dominating the short game was probably the key. Ma Long could have done that for sure.
But given how well Hugo played it's fun to think just how good an opponent would have had to play to beat him yesterday.
Whoever you pick it would have to be the prime version of them I feel...
Calderano played the match of his life!

 

[Metaxa]

The genius in the 2nd set, was that Hugo started to serve long with very high quality (deep, fast, well placed, spinny, lots of spin variation) This really threw a spanner in the LSD chiquita plan and forced him to push, which allowed Hugo to get the 1st topspin with more quality. Even when LSD chiquita it was a tentative chiquita which allowed Hugo to blast a counterloopkill.

He also started varying the short serve placement all the way from short FH to wide BH. So LSD couldn't get high quality on his receive.

On the other hand, he also stopped short pushing all the time and introduced some more disturbing long pushes, push flicks together with his excellent short push. This meant that LSD couldn't get the perfect timing for the push and also extracted a few errors from his opening loops. Also Hugo was really punishing the weak opening loops with extreme power and consistency so LSD had to force himself to play more extreme opening loops which meant more mistakes.

Basically Hugo was doing Ma Lin v2.0 except with both BH and FH loopkills. This perfectly avoided his weaknesses in speed and close table rallying - there is no rally if he can finish the point outright.

With great effect and parallel/counterfeit balls were the key to his success. It all doesn't have to be that difficult but you have to be able to execute it, both practically/technically and mentally of course.

 

[NetProphet]

The Ma Long we saw at China Smash would’ve beaten Hugo imo.

Given the quality of Hugos performance yesterday I actually wouldn't agree.
I say that because Ma Long actually beat Hugo in that tournament but Hugo didn't get anywhere near his levels of yesterday.
He then somehow contrived to throw away a 3-1 lead in the final. The Ma Long that did that couldn't have beaten Hugo yesterday. Could he?
Then there's the intimidation factor too, looking at Ma Long across the table could cost a few points in itself I suppose...
All hypothetical I know and I totally respect your view on it!

But I like juggling it and wondering about it and somehow, having watched the highlights from yesterday, I just see Hugo winning! 🤷🏻

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Come child! Accend to Godhood!

 

[latej]

Someone mentioned CNT will analyze Hugo thoroughly. Well, yes, but I'm convinced one of Hugo's strength is his thinking. He already did analyze the CNT... In fact I think that is actually what we admire so much, his will and dedication and hard work and intelligence... I mean WCQ is pure physical talent, beauty in motion... But not as gifted as Hugo elsewhere... So, I know it's on the edge, but remember, it's not that Hugo is stuck in here with CNT ;-)

 

[K.K]

amazing, i still can't believe it! a great day for table tennis and i am so proud for hugo <3
he definitely kept more mentaly stable compared to his games in the olympics. maybe his new coach has something to do? if yes, then a great decision for a change even though it must have been a hard ine since he worked with his former coach for over ten years…

i think this is the biggest turnaround i ever saw since i watch tt. beating wr3, 2 and then 1 in the final in front of the opponents crowd is just amazing willpower! well done hugo!!

 

[SFF_lib]

amazing, i still can't believe it! a great day for table tennis and i am so proud for hugo <3
he definitely kept more mentaly stable compared to his games in the olympics. maybe his new coach has something to do? if yes, then a great decision for a change even though it must have been a hard ine since he worked with his former coach for over ten years…

i think this is the biggest turnaround i ever saw since i watch tt. beating wr3, 2 and then 1 in the final in front of the opponents crowd is just amazing willpower! well done hugo!!

This only happens like every 10 years. I am so excited to have watched it!! I hope to see the next Hugo from Germany, France, Turkey or even USA!!

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

This only happens like every 10 years. I am so excited to have watched it!! I hope to see the next Hugo from Germany, France, Turkey or even USA!!

The Iranian kid is working on it

 

[zeio]

Someone mentioned CNT will analyze Hugo thoroughly. Well, yes, but I'm convinced one of Hugo's strength is his thinking. He already did analyze the CNT... In fact I think that is actually what we admire so much, his will and dedication and hard work and intelligence... I mean WCQ is pure physical talent, beauty in motion... But not as gifted as Hugo elsewhere... So, I know it's on the edge, but remember, it's not that Hugo is stuck in here with CNT ;-)

Just like how some here thought they could lock us out of our little dialog.

 

[zeio]

这波都怪zjk (This one is on ZJK)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9657582665
曲奇迪 如果雨果没有看到zkj视频，一个巴西人怎会不去踢足球而在12年跑去打乒乓球，所以这波都怪zjk
IP属地:内蒙古来自Android客户端1楼2025-04-20 21:56回复
(If Hugo didn't watch ZJK's video, why would a Brazilian not play football and instead go play table tennis in 2012, so this one is on ZJK)

张继科表示反手没有正手好登顶，并且强调没有说女孩 (Zhang Jike said that BH is not as good as FH to reach the world and emphasized that he was not referring to the girls)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9659163592

https://weibo.com/2318910945/PohGu8QrG
新浪热点
25-4-21 14:38
来自 微博视频号
【#张继科锐评现役球员登顶可能# 】近日，中国男子乒乓球原队员张继科，在直播中锐评现役球员登顶可能，他表示：都知道我反手好其实我紧张的时候还是用正手，反手不行，反手好的人很难登顶。就是反手体系为主的登不了顶，只能蒙，正手好的人有可能登顶。我说的是顶尖的那三五个人比起来，反手强正手弱的人还是步伐差。我就不点名点姓了，我说的是男生啊我没说女孩。（共富财经） [http://t.cn/A6dwfJ28] 共富财经的微博视频
[# Zhang Jike's sharp comment on the possibility of current players reaching the top #] Recently, Zhang Jike, a former member of the Chinese men's table tennis team, made a sharp comment on the possibility of current players reaching the top in a live stream. He said: Everyone knows that I am good at backhand, but in fact, when I am nervous, I still use my forehand. Backhand is no good, and it is difficult for people with good backhand to reach the top. In other words, those who mainly play with a backhand game cannot reach the top and can only con. People with good forehand may reach the top. I am talking about comparing the top three or five people, those with strong backhands and weak forehands still have poor footwork. I will not mention their names. I am talking about boys, not girls. (Gongfu Finance) [http://t.cn/A6dwfJ28] Gongfu Finance's Weibo video

 

[NextLevel]

Someone mentioned CNT will analyze Hugo thoroughly. Well, yes, but I'm convinced one of Hugo's strength is his thinking. He already did analyze the CNT... In fact I think that is actually what we admire so much, his will and dedication and hard work and intelligence... I mean WCQ is pure physical talent, beauty in motion... But not as gifted as Hugo elsewhere... So, I know it's on the edge, but remember, it's not that Hugo is stuck in here with CNT ;-)

The biggest benefit he has now is that he now longer really needs to play league to make money to live it seems. But the WTTC is next month and this is an arms race. Hugo has launched his first attack, so the next step is countermeasures. By the way, note that the French and Germans will also be hard at work with their own analytics. It's not like Franziska or Duda or Dang or the Lebruns will just give Hugo the match when he shows up at the table.

 

[Gtsnake]

It's amazing how many Brazilians already know about Hugo. Lot's of my Brazilian friends that don't play TT messaged me about his win. I'd like to see a picture of the parade he will have when he returns. It will be like Carnival.

 

[zeio]

张本智和需要爱情的力量 (Harimoto Tomokazu needs the power of love)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9655916470

巴黎奥运会之后是不是只有林昀儒状态还没回来 (Is Lin Yun-Ju the only one who hasn't recovered from the Paris Olympics?)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9658368269
火锅不吃辣双鱼 雨果张本骰子和小布都有冠军，只有林昀儒现在前十都没他了
IP属地:山东1楼2025-04-21 09:45回复
(Hugo, Harimoto, Dice and Little B all have won titles, only LYJ is not in the top 10 now)

零崎不识 有林诗栋这个主子且每次都碰上导致的，我反而觉得他虽然没有冠军但其实是在涨球的
IP属地:北京来自Android客户端2楼2025-04-21 09:50收起回复
(Because he has LSD as his master and they always meet, I think he is improving even though he has no title)
火锅不吃辣双鱼: 应该是吧，毕竟上次惜败，就是觉得仁川很好的机会还是没拿下，他的水平不在前十真是说不过去
2025-4-21 09:52回复
(I think so. After all, he barely lost the last time and missed a great opportunity. It's hard to justify that he is not in the top 10 given his level)

未白镇的小遥 是，林昀儒现在差太多了，不光老k，骰子他也脆跪，打个李尚洙也输，和老年奥恰撕个决胜局爆分
IP属地:河北来自Android客户端3楼2025-04-21 09:56收起回复
(Yes, LYJ is now too far behind. Not only Old K, but he also lost to Dice, and even lost to LSS, going down to the wire with Old-age Ovtcharov)
中猴（骨折中）: 输仁川李尚洙不算差
2025-4-21 13:28回复
(Losing to LSS in Incheon is not bad)

摔了跤 林姓有buff，一到决赛就脆跪
IP属地:浙江来自Android客户端4楼2025-04-21 10:00收起回复
(Those whose last name is Lin has a buff, and will have the cold feet in the final)
YY1211: 张本的三个大赛冠军 亚洲杯亚锦赛总决赛都是从林姓选手手里拿的
2025-4-21 11:05回复
(Harimoto's three major titles, the Asian Cup, ATTC and WTGF, were all won against players named Lin)

在家做得好大事 林昀儒技术也不行啊。他就是一把拧拉质量高，但是速度和爆发力都不行（包括他的拧拉）。林昀儒每次都弱弱的。他应该霸气一点。多说点脏话。
IP属地:浙江来自Android客户端6楼2025-04-21 10:16收起回复
(LYJ's technique is not good. He is only good at high-quality chiquita, but his speed and explosiveness are not good (including his chiquita). LYJ is always weak. He should be more domineering. Say more dirty words.)

用户_5KT37LN 别给林昀儒抬咖了，他职业生涯平均下来一年也就打一场好球，注意是一场，不是一站，回首半生连普通冠军都没拿几个
IP属地:广东来自Android客户端8楼2025-04-21 10:27回复
(Stop raising LYJ's class. On average, he played only one good match a year in his career. Note that it's one match, not one tournament. Looking back on his career, he didn't even win a regular title)

emuu 废都废了 就没出过好成绩
IP属地:四川来自Android客户端10楼2025-04-21 13:07回复
(It's all useless. He never got any good results)

中猴（骨折中） 他近期状态在f4里不算差的，但是运气是真的差
IP属地:江苏12楼2025-04-21 13:29回复
(His recent form is not bad among the F4, but his luck is really poor)

米少女壮士 按规律该他闪耀了
IP属地:江苏来自iPhone客户端14楼2025-04-21 16:06回复
(According to the pattern, it should be his turn to shine)

吃蜂蜜的树袋熊 慢慢来呗，输了说明实力还不够
IP属地:澳大利亚来自iPhone客户端16楼2025-04-21 17:40回复
(Take it slow. Losing means he is not strong enough)

邱党吐槽澳门世界杯 (Qiu Dang complains about the World Cup Macao)
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9649911673
大波波驴🦋 连续两年不出线，哥们反思一下实力是不是不到位，奥运bo7都二轮游。
IP属地:河北来自iPhone客户端2楼2025-04-17 10:09回复
(After failing to advance for two consecutive years, he should reflect on whether his strength is not enough, as he was eliminated in the second round of the Olympic Bo7.)

未白镇的小遥 怎么说呢，容错率是低了点，但是你这也是凭本事输球的啊，你要是赢两场，什么赛制也出线了
IP属地:河北来自Android客户端3楼2025-04-17 10:12回复
(How should I put it? The tolerance rate is a bit low, but you lost by your own ability. If you won two games, you would've advanced in any competition system)

你来的不是时候 输球就甩锅的，不仅输了球，还输了人
IP属地:浙江来自Android客户端4楼2025-04-17 10:13
收起回复
(Blaming others after losing, he not only lost the match, but also lost his dignity)
你来的不是时候: 这还没到世锦赛，谁笑到最后还不一定呢。世界杯输球就赶紧加练，赢了世锦赛不就行了？
2025-4-17 10:14回复
(It's not even the WTTC yet, so it's still unclear who will have the last laugh. If you lose in the World Cup, you should practice harder. Isn't it enough to win the WTTC?)

亞達姆 黨子哥你奧運也是大拉特拉阿連續二年不出線己經說明很多問題了
IP属地:中国香港来自iPhone客户端7楼2025-04-17 10:17回复
(Brother Dang, you also failed big time in the Olympics. The fact that you have not advanced for two consecutive years has already explained many problems)

安洗莹【激战韩羽协 邱党奥运32强还说啥，输给哈萨克斯坦
IP属地:北京来自Android客户端12楼2025-04-17 10:24回复
(What else can QD say about R32 at the Olympics? Lost to Kazakhstan)

吃瓜路人乐子人 奥运bo7不也被门科逮捕
IP属地:陕西来自Android客户端16楼2025-04-17 10:31回复
(Olympic Bo7 was also arrested by [Gerasi]Menko)

van师傅 党子哥这大赛就是狗屎，真没资格说吧
IP属地:安徽来自Android客户端21楼2025-04-17 10:41回复
(Brother Dang is dogshit in major competitions. He has no right to say it)

张本美和（plus） 这赛制确实是爆冷更多，有运气成分，但是也是在考量常规水平的稳定性。要是大起大落的人很容易就被人挑了
IP属地:广东29楼2025-04-17 11:02回复
(This playing format does produce more upsets, and luck is a factor, but it also considers the consistency of the typical level. If someone has big ups and downs, he will be easily picked off)

わらほし 党子哥大赛拉稀又不止是在世界杯。
IP属地:河北来自Android客户端44楼2025-04-17 15:26回复
(It’s not just the World Cup where Brother Dang craps out in major competitions.)

World Cup Macau: Die Ergebnisse der Deutschen am Mittwoch / Ovtcharov nach 3:1-Krimi gegen Lin im Achtelfinale
https://www.tischtennis.de/news/wor...m-mittwoch-wer-erreicht-das-achtelfinale.html

 

[Persistence TT]

Have you seen last year how he came back against Lin Gaoyuan at the same event? Ma Long would’ve found a solution. Lin Shidong literally played right into Hugo’s hand starting from the second game. I’m not saying he would’ve 100% won but I’d have rather bet on him even seeing Hugo’s performance today.

ma long always had problems against hard hitters.

ZJK beat him because he hit too hard, harimoto did the same, lee sang su , fan zhendong etc etc

Im not saying Ma Long would have lost 10/10 times but it wouldnt be as easy as it seems

Also ma long gambled against lin gaoyuan because he was outplayed, that game was more like lin gaoyuan totally lost his composure, rather than ma long finding a super smart tactic to beat him

Watch the game again, in the first 3 sets lin gaoyuan borrows power from ma long shots and counters them, and at 3-0 ma long simply dropped his tempo a bit, and let lin gaoyuan miss his shots instead. It's not like he cornered lin with his superiority, lin simply didnt adapt to a rather normal and predictable change. In fact I was quite surprised that malong didnt thhought of that tactic earlier in the game

 

[NextLevel]

ma long always had problems against hard hitters.

ZJK beat him because he hit too hard, harimoto did the same, lee sang su , fan zhendong etc etc

Im not saying Ma Long would have lost 10/10 times but it wouldnt be as easy as it seems

Also ma long gambled against lin gaoyuan because he was outplayed, that game was more like lin gaoyuan totally lost his composure, rather than ma long finding a super smart tactic to beat him

Watch the game again, in the first 3 sets lin gaoyuan borrows power from ma long shots and counters them, and at 3-0 ma long simply dropped his tempo a bit, and let lin gaoyuan miss his shots instead. It's not like he cornered lin with his superiority, lin simply didnt adapt to a rather normal and predictable change. In fact I was quite surprised that malong didnt thhought of that tactic earlier in the game

Yeah and when he got to match point, he started playing his normal tempo again. It was hilarious even me seeing it live.