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Many interesting, new, and unique details emerged at the recent WTTC, one of which was Liang Jingkun employing the high-toss serve, a new tactic to counter and experiment against Lin Shidong. Previously, Liang Jingkun had not used this serve against Lin Shidong (this year, the two Chinese players faced each other three times at major tournaments: the Asian Championships, the World Cup last month, and the WTTC). Before the quarterfinal match began, the camera captured Liang Jingkun warming up, and the audience saw him practicing the high-toss serve.
The high-toss serve is an excellent strategy to counter fast players like Lin Shidong. Ma Long has used it effectively against Fan Zhendong or new-generation players with quick backhands. Liang Jingkun started using it around the middle of the first set, and it seemed effective as he led 2-0 in sets. However, by the middle of the third set, Lin Shidong had adapted, and Liang stopped using it, resulting in a 2-2 tie. In the fifth set, when trailing 7-4, Liang Jingkun used it again 2-3 times and won that set. In the decisive seventh set, he didn’t use it at all. Initially, his toss wasn’t as smooth as Ma Long’s or Hugo Calderano’s, with the ball tossed likely under 2 meters. Later, his serving motion became smoother, and the toss was higher.
**Characteristics of the high-toss serve:**
What qualifies as a high toss? According to Butterfly’s website, a toss of 8 feet or more (about 2.5 meters) is considered high. The most famous player for this serve currently is Hugo Calderano. Ma Long uses it more as a backup option (along with reverse-spin serves or backhand serves, often as a surprise tactic to counter younger players with fast backhand flicks). Fan Zhendong has added this serve in recent years, possibly because his earlier serves were somewhat predictable and less aggressive. Félix Lebrun also frequently uses it to vary rhythm and pace, generating significant spin and speed, which suits an attacking style.
**Effects:**
First, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. In theory, this allows for more spin and force on the paddle’s surface, resulting in significantly higher spin on the ball.
Second, high tosses can disrupt the opponent’s movement and preparation rhythm. If you observe closely, most professional players begin moving after the opponent releases the ball. A high toss can interrupt the opponent’s usual starting rhythm.
Another point is that after a high toss, the ball descends faster onto the paddle, so the rubber and ball interact for a shorter time (even if the interaction time can be extended by adjusting the hand). This can increase the likelihood of the opponent misreading the serve.
The high-toss serve is an excellent strategy to counter fast players like Lin Shidong. Ma Long has used it effectively against Fan Zhendong or new-generation players with quick backhands. Liang Jingkun started using it around the middle of the first set, and it seemed effective as he led 2-0 in sets. However, by the middle of the third set, Lin Shidong had adapted, and Liang stopped using it, resulting in a 2-2 tie. In the fifth set, when trailing 7-4, Liang Jingkun used it again 2-3 times and won that set. In the decisive seventh set, he didn’t use it at all. Initially, his toss wasn’t as smooth as Ma Long’s or Hugo Calderano’s, with the ball tossed likely under 2 meters. Later, his serving motion became smoother, and the toss was higher.
**Characteristics of the high-toss serve:**
What qualifies as a high toss? According to Butterfly’s website, a toss of 8 feet or more (about 2.5 meters) is considered high. The most famous player for this serve currently is Hugo Calderano. Ma Long uses it more as a backup option (along with reverse-spin serves or backhand serves, often as a surprise tactic to counter younger players with fast backhand flicks). Fan Zhendong has added this serve in recent years, possibly because his earlier serves were somewhat predictable and less aggressive. Félix Lebrun also frequently uses it to vary rhythm and pace, generating significant spin and speed, which suits an attacking style.
**Effects:**
First, gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. In theory, this allows for more spin and force on the paddle’s surface, resulting in significantly higher spin on the ball.
Second, high tosses can disrupt the opponent’s movement and preparation rhythm. If you observe closely, most professional players begin moving after the opponent releases the ball. A high toss can interrupt the opponent’s usual starting rhythm.
Another point is that after a high toss, the ball descends faster onto the paddle, so the rubber and ball interact for a shorter time (even if the interaction time can be extended by adjusting the hand). This can increase the likelihood of the opponent misreading the serve.
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