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Objectively define "significant" if you want to that route.

Last year, the 4 semi-finalists were Sora, Shinozuka, Harimoto and Tanigaki. They were seeded 1-4 based on their prior year finishes. They all repeated, so Sora 1, Shinozuka 2, and Harimoto and Tanigaki 3-4. I don't know whether they randomized where they ended up in the draw but I somewhat...

Her setup is not even going to scratch 170 gs all in. With OX LP, it might be at best 30 g lighter. I get that 130g vs 160 gs might be a big deal to some as weight difference. For me, they are all the same. That's my point. I agree with what everyone has said, I personally don't find...

"Fast carbon and fast rubbers" is an interesting thing - there was a time when anything carbon was sometimes called fast, but fast blades was often a term restricted to Gergelys, Primorac Carbons and Sardiuses - in other words, extremely stiff T5000 blades. Viscarias and other ALC blades were...

Staples - that was easy....

I thought Harimoto played one of the best matches I have ever seen him play and lost a close one in the 7th, Shinozuka will have to get lucky to win 1 and use voodoo to win 2.

That said, it feels to me that Shinozuka's ball has more quality than Harimoto - Harimoto's blocks just feel slow....

Over under on Shinozuka winning a game?

Going back to Dignics 09c on forehand a good move for Miwa - expanded her shot selection tremendously.

That game 3 win by Harimoto was a Champion's game 3. 6-9 to 11.-9.

Of course, most interested people know this already but the finals is already live and is her: https://tttv.jp/video/13691#gsc.tab=0

Leftiness plays a role in Shinozuka's success. They don't use TTR in Japan but one of the things that became apparent from his match with Jorgic was that his serve is often hidden.

BTW, in terms of logistics, isn't it good to see a tournament respect fairness to players to some degree in the scheduling and have the semis at the same time to avoid favoritism, even if it might mean less ticket revenue in theory?

Does Shinozuka have a chance?

Probably the best offensive match I have ever seen Harimoto play and his reward is a loss. Amazing. Arguably losing game 1 after a 5-0 lead and using his timeout cost him. But that is splitting hairs in a close match. Congrats to Sora.

The matches seem to be psychologically over since both of last year's finalists won game 1 to seize dominance. But of course, Harimoto and Tanigaki are fighters so...

Harimoto looks like a snail when Matsushima starts attacking. I have to blame that on the differences in blade design lol.

Hayata is getting really tight and frustrated. Kihara can take this. Yokoi, not so sure. PS: And after I write that, Kihara proceeds to lose the next 3 points....

Regardless, the trend of game 2 doesn't bode well for the rest of the match for her.

Kihara seems to have worked hard on replacing her flat smashing tendencies with loop driving tendencies.