local tournament - my results

strangeloop · Jun 11, 2012

Hi guys,

This weekend I represented my organization in an inter-corporate tournament. A little bit of background: I started learning tt from September last year. I play every weekend with a coach. This is my 3rd tournament so far. I played a tournament last November and one in February. I have never won a singles match before.

On saturday, I went to the tournament with 6 months of training behind me. I knew I could win a few matches. But I was also nervous from the time I woke up. In the team event, I lost my first 2 singles matches (best of 3, to my horror). I faced an unorthodox right-hander who had a good BH push and counter but no FH. In the next I lost to a lefty. I lost the 1st game and leveled it in the next, only to lose the 3rd. My loops were not landing. I came to know that in hot and humid conditions one has to take a full swing for loops.. have you felt the same?
Lesson: There's no time to get things right in best of 3's. Have to be spot on from the 1st point.
I won my next singles match against what was supposed to be my toughest match of the day. Against a right handed counter player, I got him into pushes and kept him pinned to his backhand. I won it 2-1. Our team finished 3rd in our group and we played for the silver cup. I was up against a chopper this time. My first competitive match against a chopper and I was so confused. I lost 3-0. That guy would win the men's singles on sunday.

On sunday, it was time for the men's singles. By now, I knew what to expect. My loop was consistent and I managed to win the first 2 rounds 3-0. 3rd round was against an anti-spin player. He had an old Mark V on one side and Yasaka antipower on BH. I couldn't do much against him and lost meekly. -1,-6,-1. I will try to upload the video of this match.

On the whole, it was a great experience. I played against a variety of styles, serves and rubbers. I am sure I will do better in my next tournament. Need to work more on serve, receive and playing against pimples and antispin rubbers.

Thanks for reading.. Have fun playing!

danel09a · Jun 11, 2012

I am really interested in your tourname game . Hope will read your story next time!

Rainer87 · Jun 11, 2012

I would love to see your video as well. I remember when I saw your first video, I was so impressed how good technique and consistency you have developed for so little period of time. Looking forward seeing your video.

strangeloop · Jun 11, 2012

Hey Rainer.. I think you're mistaken. I never posted any video before. I have to copy it from my friend, reduce the resolution and upload it. Its gonna take some time.

strangeloop · Jun 14, 2012

Got the videos!

- 2nd round match that I won.. I am the one wearing specs and in shorts.. unfortunately, the first game that I won 20-18 is not in the video..

- 3rd round.. I lost this match.. the red rubber of my opponent is Yasaka antipower..

Let me know what I doing right in these games..

I know everything else is wrong.. hahaha! Just kidding.. feel free to critique..

Der_Echte · Jun 14, 2012

You are a good sport. That serve receive for a winner at 3:15 of the top vid is your best shot.

Der_Echte · Jun 14, 2012

In your match on top vid, you made a point on almost every heavy loop you gave him, but on faster loops with a little less spin, he blocked them to an uncomfortable spot and he won nearly all those points. Realize your opponent and what he does. This on did nothing but block and pick hit. You can also win points vs this guy by landing your loop very shallow, he never moves.

strangeloop · Jun 14, 2012

Der_Echte, thanks for taking the time to watch it! You're right about the spinny loops. This guy also had a good backhand block and counter. So I stayed away from it throughout the match. Opting to even push to his FH.

azlan · Jun 15, 2012

Too many mistakes in your 3rd round match buddy.

Great effort nonetheless. You just having problems these sort of alternative players.
Playing against long pips and antis can be daunting, especially if you're not use to play against them. These players uses spin reversal and floaters to deceive you, making you feel very uncomfortable. But it can also be very easy for you and uncomfortable FOR THEM if you understand how these rubbers work.

azlan · Jun 15, 2012

Too many mistakes in your 3rd round match buddy.

Great effort nonetheless. You just having problems these sort of alternative players.
Playing against long pips and antis can be daunting, especially if you're not use to play against them. These players uses spin reversal and floaters to deceive you, making you feel very uncomfortable. But it can also be very easy for you and uncomfortable FOR THEM if you understand how these rubbers work.

strangeloop · Jun 15, 2012

Thanks Azlan! Yeah.. too many mistakes. I wasted a lot of high balls.. I was in two minds every ball, whether to smash or loop. On my serve, I tried avoiding the anti and playing to his forehand. But he returned my sidespin serve with heavy cut. I was not able to loop this. In BH to BH push exchange he twiddles the blade. I noticed it but couldn't change my ingrained habit of pushing it back. He earned many kill shots with this tactic.

Need to practice once in a while against these sort of alternative rubbers too.

azlan · Jun 15, 2012

I could only see him twiddling only during serves, but I could be wrong. Anyway, here's a tip for you buddy. If you're up against an anti player who doesn't have an offensive BH like that again, serve him a nice soft floater to his BH, see if he can chop that

..the ball is going to come back to you with very very little spin. Spin the ball back with a closed angle racket. Never open up your racket as if you're looping a against a backspin (the ball will go long).

BUT, if you loop to his BH and he returned it, you have to open up your racket a bit more coz that's gonna be heavy. Get a friend with long pips or anti and do this.
Serve, topspin, push, topspin, push..do it alternately and you'll understand why. You can attack more once you understand the behaviour of the ball.

strangeloop · Jun 16, 2012

Sure Azlan .. Will try that.. have to find a partner who plays pimples or anti.

sumangupa · Jul 3, 2012

hey, i am from India as well...which corporate event is this?...i am excited too...as i will be joining infosys in march...i can play a little bit too....!

strangeloop · Jul 3, 2012

Hey Suman... looks like you're from WB.. Am in AP. This is Roots intercorp indoor sports. You can play after joining Infosys..

sumangupa · Jul 3, 2012

azlan has said it all...i would just add up...while playing anti rubbers be very patient....there is no point trying an audacious forehand loop losing all your balance in the process...go for short but sure loops....brush the ball...unless the opponent is an extremely fit player....you will generally prevail.remember, for anti's thier strength is also thier areas of weaknesses...so don't be scared playing against the anti side...practise a lot of top spins from deep cut balls...it should be enough to start off.

alexander_man · Jul 5, 2012

Yes, in the 3rd match you might have been a little bit too nervous. I'd suggest you if you play against someone who doesn't have an offensive BH serve him a ldeep sidespin serve to his BH. If you do this, your opponent will surely have no time to move to play with his FH and you should win those points a bit easier.

BUT you should be various in every part of the game because if you don't do it soon or late your opponent will start to guess your shots. And if you manage to push him about 3-4 metres from the table use sometimes a sidespin dropshot if you have the technique.

local tournament - my results

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