ITTF WTTC Finals Doha 2025, 5/17-25

[travelt123]

Now, finish the game, Hugo.

 

[NextLevel]

Liang has taken off the safeguards and now wants to take him on in open play - this will be interesting.

 

[backspacer]

Thousands of people going ape shit over a service error from Hugo.

 

[travelt123]

Imagine four years of work, changing your entire training staff post Paris Olympics, beating the Chinese in the World Cup, and you still struggle to beat Liang Jingkun in a mental game.

 

[baotran]

Now it's time for Hugo to overcome his nightmare! Go Hugo!

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

I think after a couple days of feeling disappointed he'll feel really happy about getting a silver here.

It was one of the more heartwarming stories for JNT for this event. Yoshimura is usually a pretty emotionless player, and that's probably due to having no notable results to speak of on the world stage for years now.

When he was guaranteed a bronze I don't think I've ever seen a Japanese male player so beaming with happiness. He was so happy it brought out a lot of smiles from Odo too, who doesn't ever really look happy about anything. I think helping her sempai get a medal at this late stage in his career was something she was proud of.

He is 2017 WTTC Gold Medalist in XD with Ishikawa. Also 2015 WTTC Silver Medalist in XD with Ishikawa. And now he can add 2025 WTTC Silver Medalist in XD with Odo.

 

[turbozed]

High drama here going to game 7. Looked like it was destined to go that way after Game 5. Let's see if Hugo can stop the comeback this time. LJK looking inevitable when the match heads this direction though.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Hugo plays a very risky style. He goes for difficult shots that can pay off when he is consistent. But he also gives away a fair bit of free points.

He just won 10 straight points after losing 3 straight points.

 

[turbozed]

Most insane point of the year considering the situation. Hoooollllyyyyyy

 

[Dr Evil]

One of the greatest points I've seen.

 

[Robin0910]

Hugo is killing me, man!

 

[vvk1]

So is "brazillian" loop technique a thing now? 😀

Yes, there is!!! Hugo has done it !!!

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

Nervous ending there, but Hugo breaks through !!! I'll have what he's having.

 

[Robin0910]

The look on LJK’s coach’s face :O

 

[baotran]

OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG! Congrats to Hugo! Craziest WTTC semi-final matches !!

 

[Robin0910]

Props to Liang Jingkun of almost coming back. He’s a master at that, very strong mental game!

 

[travelt123]

Hugo finally broke through the mental barrier! Congratulations!

 

[zeio]

MS SF
LJK (5) 3-4 Calderano (3) (-13, -7, 8, -8, 3, 7, -9)
G1 96, 910, 1010, 1011, 1111, 1112, 1212, 1213, 1313, 1315. The FH fade push made all the difference.
G2 30, 37, 57, 58, 78, 711
G3 20, 22, 32, 33, 53, 56 TO for LJK, 86, 87, 97, 98, 118
G4 01, 11, 15, 25, 27, 47, 48, 58, 59, 79 TO for Calderano, 89, 811
G5 50 Calderano served into the table edge, 70, 73, 113
G6 30, 31, 41, 42, 52, 53, 63, 66, 76, 77, 117
G7 30, 35 endline edge for Calderano, 310 10 in a row, 910 6 in a row, 911

 

[TensorBackhand]

Seems like LJK's mistake was that he kept flicking to Hugo, giving Hugo chances to hit huge counter shots.

 

[tzifos]

So close for Liang! He got more points in total in these 7 games than Hugo