WTT Champions Montpellier 2026 10/27-11/1

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

that's it!

Satomoto pairing for LA28 OG TT WD!

source ?

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

source ?

Gozo Zyreruna and his magic crystal ball Chatgpt pro version 2.0

 

[allencorn]

WS R16
Winter WR9 1-3 Sato WR8 (8) (-8, 9, -3, -7)
Sato's BH serve with heavy backspin to Winter's short FH at 8:7 of G1 needs to be analyzed.
G2 31, 34, 84 sideline edge for Winter, 87 TO for Winter, 89 sideline edge for Sato, 119
G3 10, 14, 24, 25 epic 29-shot point, 27, 37, 311
No chance after Sato adjusted to Winter's anti spin-reversal by twiddling. Winter just couldn't hit past Sato. Very deflating.
G4 01, 31, 35, 65, 68 BH heavy backspin serve by Sato again, 78, 710 BH heavy backspin serve by Sato yet again, 711
Could've ended in 3 for Sato. Winter should've stayed more patient and used her anti more to draw Sato in, rather than brute-forcing every loop.

I looked at those serves slowed down, and they didn't seem especially deceptive or anything special - just loaded with spin that Winter didn't compensate for. The serve at 9-7 in game 4 was remarkable as Winter returned it with her anti and it still went in the net. Nice thing is those serves are clearly legal as far as I can tell.

 

[NextLevel]

Just hit me that we could have three CNT semfinalists on the men's side and maybe the beginning of a return to the red wall days.... world resist! Resist!

 

[NextLevel]

After Truls' points from last year's Montpellier expires he might end up dropping multiple rankings.

Both Hugo and LYJ exited early last year, and WCQ didn't play. If Truls doesn't place well and his points from last year expire he could end up down at #8.

Also it's crazy that Sora was WR#16 at this same time last year.

#8 isn't terrible, the surprise is that he got as high as he did and i thought losing the Euro Smash in the first round would hurt his ranking but he is still top 10 which means his consistency is not about one event. In the WTT era too, all the top 8 spots are somewhat equivalent, they just guarantee you won't meet someone else in the top 8 early, but woth all the floaters like Dang, Sidorenko, Liang, Gauzy, Kallberg, Lind, Franizksa, ZQH and so on, it is still a shark tank at these Champions events and WTT elite events in general.

 

[M51]

I can't see Sidorenko's game troubling Calderano

Calderano is tactically inept. Vladimir has a good coach in his corner.

I don't see this going Hugo's way at all.

 

[NextLevel]

Calderano is tactically inept. Vladimir has a good coach in his corner.

I don't see this going Hugo's way at all.

Nah, you make it sound like a top player can be tactically inept. He can have relative weaknesses but tactically inept is just no. Everyone at that level can tell how they are winning and losing, the coach just expands their mindset and makes sure they don't feel alone in their thoughts.

 

[NextLevel]

The funny thing is that the reason why Sidorenko is losing this match is exactly what @dingyibvs pointed out when he said he wasn't complete. He doesn't finesse in the short-short and tries to play power out of it. It is always matchup relative, Hugo is doing to him what Liang and WCQ and ML did many times to Hugo.

 

[J-fed]

Phew.
Was never in doubt

 

[NextLevel]

Death, taxes, ML vs DO and SS vs HH....

She couldn't even win the toss....

 

[jonol]

Calderano is tactically inept. Vladimir has a good coach in his corner.

I don't see this going Hugo's way at all.

At first this was funny, now it's hilarious

Don't get me wrong, I think Vladi's great, but he primarily relies on power to win points. His arsenal is not well-rounded.

Hugo has always matched up well against players like Sidorenko and himself can vary his placement and pace.

Tactically inept is a ridiculous statement.

 

[NextLevel]

That 1-0 , 10-8 point is the first time I remember Hayata doing what she needs to do to Sun Yingsha's serve on a more regular basis. Playing for the rally may work against teammates but not SYS.

Well she did it again but SYS was ready this time. But still that is the way to go with a bit more effort on placement. Pushing to slow the ball down vs side and sidetop is not the answer.

 

[NextLevel]

Calling a timeout at 7-4 shows you have accepted that the opponent is in your head. That's an Anders Lind and Harimoto move. Poor Hayata happy for her and the fans that she at least got a game.

 

[NextLevel]

I actually forgot this was a best of 7 lol.

 

[Janard]

The Montpellier crowd is quite enjoyable IMO - decent turnout despite all French players exiting early + strikes a balance between being rowdy and respectful.

 

[NextLevel]

The Montpellier crowd is quite enjoyable IMO - decent turnout despite all French players exiting early + strikes a balance between being rowdy and respectful.

Japan and France men are pressuring China.

Montpellier QF: CNT 3, FNT:0, JNT:0

More seriously, i am surprised by the Hayata supporters that don't even look Japanese but are carrying flags and cheerinf her. They are moving this match more than anything.

 

[Janard]

Wow SYS seems to have lost her FH - probably Hayata's best chance to win if she can make it to G7.

Oops the FH is back. Jinxed it as usual.

 

[NextLevel]

Wow SYS seems to have lost her FH - probably Hayata's best chance to win if she can make it to G7.

Oops the FH is back. Jinxed it as usual.

There are no moral victories here. Nothing wrong with never beating SYS but if she can't do it here, then she will only do it when SYS decides to play on a stretcher.

PS: The French crowd gave her everything. It is what it is.

 

[zeio]

WS QF
Hayata WR6 (6) 3-4 SYS WR2 (2) (-7, -9, 9, 11, -8, 9, -9)
G2 610, 910 TO for SYS, 911
G3 30, 32, 42, 43, 73 SYS served off the net, 74 TO for Hayata, 77, 87, 88, 108, 109, 119
G4 10, 11 endline edge for SYS, 13, 33, 38, 78, 79, 89, 810, 1010 endline edge for Hayata, 1110, 1111, 1211 net for Hayata, 1311 net for Hayata
G5 10 SYS served off the net, 13, 23, 24, 54, 55 net for SYS, 57, 67, 69, 79, 710, 810, 811
G6 10, 11 yellow to SYS, 12, 22, 23, 43, 44, 64, 65, 85, 86, 96, 97, 107, 109, 119
G7 10, 13, 33 SYS thought it was let, 43, 47, 57 corner edge for Hayata, 67, 68, 88, 89, 99, 911
Looked to be the best chance for Hayata but she never got a match point once out of 21+1 tries.

SYS not at 100%? Check.
Tibhar ball? Check.
Tibhar table? Check.
French crowd? Check.
21+1 straight losses? Check.

CNT: Hayata for LA28!

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

As much as I would have loved for Hina to win the match, it was great effort and progress for Hina. Her backhand serve has gotten much more effective than in the past often eliciting an attackable FH push from SYS. Necessarily risky, but some good chiquita receives but I think it's 50/50 getting back into position. All in all it's the best Hina has played SYS that I can remember.