China Smash 2024, Beijing, 9/26-10/6

[AutomaticBackhand]

Also, in Same-handed matches, hidden serves are not as nasty as they are in opposite-handed matches.

Still bad though, but I don't condemn players for using.

As they say:
"Don't hate thr players, hate the Game!"

In this case, the game is on WTT and their umpires.

 

[Egon]

4/4 matches went to the decider so far.

I was rooting for Kao and Ma Long, now that Kao is out, I'm full on Ma Long.

This tournament has definitely been delivering so far, no doubt.

Plenty of great matches, upsets and storylines, and it's not even over yet.

I always liked Zhang Jike and Fan Zendong, but I never liked Ma Long. As we say - there is no accounting for taste.

 

[d3nium]

Now WCQ is out, Kao Cheng-Jui is going to win the event

 

[turbozed]

Felix Lebrun

Down pretty big in Game 2, throws tantrum, wins game.
Down pretty big in Game 3, throws tantrum, ties it up at 8-8

I don't know any other athlete who improves their gameplay after throwing tantrums.

 

[AutomaticBackhand]

Chinese players and their playstyle is Felix's cryptonite.


Edit: Xiang Peng 3 - 1 Felix Lebrun

 

[zeio]

Felix Lebrun

Down pretty big in Game 2, throws tantrum, wins game.
Down pretty big in Game 3, throws tantrum, ties it up at 8-8

I don't know any other athlete who improves their gameplay after throwing tantrums.

Moregard: You haven't seen enough.

As Mizutani mentioned (in the above link), European players are notorious for their gamesmanship.

 

[dingyibvs]

Chinese players and their playstyle is Felix's cryptonite.


Edit: Xiang Peng 3 - 1 Felix Lebrun

I think Felix's issue is that he doesn't do anything particularly special, he's just exceptionally solid in every phase of the game. Against most others, this allows him to be very consistent in coming up on top, especially in tight games when he can fall back to his solid-as-rock fundamentals. Against the CNT though, everyone from the top of the B team upward is very solid in every phase of the game, so every game against that level and upward is gonna be at least a slugfest for him. CNT A teamers usually bring something extra, like LJK with his power, LGY with his quickness, WCQ with his big head , etc. and then you have the champions like ML and FZD who bring a lots of extras. Felix is still young though, when ML was younger he was just solid, with nothing extra to make him championship quality, so he can still develop it.

 

[zeio]

WS R16
Kim Nayeong 2-3 Ito (-7, 6, 6, -7, -9)
G1 711
G2 74, 104, 106, 116
G3 10 Ito killed hersefl on serve, 20, 23, 53, 54, 64, 75, 85, 96, 116
G4 01, 11, 13, 33 TO for Ito, 36, 46, 47, 77, 711 slight corner edge
G5 01, 31, 32, 52, 54 slight net for Ito and TO for KNY, 64, 65, 85 slight mishit for KNY?, 95 Ito got jammed by her own FH smash, 911

 

[Janard]

Wow Kim looked poised to take it at 9-5 in G5 but... who would have expected

 

[turbozed]

Great comeback from Ito down 9-4 in the 5th game.

Unfortunately I was on the wrong betting end of that one too since I had Kim as a 3-1 underdog. Looked like it should've been 50/50 odds. Kim kinda played too conservative there at the end. Kinda just blocking passively and not putting as much spin on the ball as she was doing before.

Table tennis gods have not been kind today lol

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

Lots of people talking smack in the chat, but Mima makes a great comeback to shut them up. Great win for Mima!

 

[dingyibvs]

KNY showed her inexperience there, can't play passive there with a big lead in the deciding game, need to continue doing what got you there. Every point needs to be 0-0.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

so is it official?
source: WTT FB page

 

[BadHoney]

I really like LSD and support him to be next Chinese No. 1 but that's hidden serves in 5th set might change my mind.
Hope Truls Moregard or other clean serve players win this tournament.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Lots of people talking smack in the chat, but Mima makes a great comeback to shut them up. Great win for Mima!

Mima needs to retire for both JPN and KOR players to perform, haha
I mean, why don't the whole CNT retire, for other players to perform too, wouldn't that be easier

 

[Janard]

I really like LSD and support him to be next Chinese No. 1 but that's hidden serves in 5th set might change my mind.
Hope Truls Moregard or other clean serve players win this tournament.

LSD has been flamed by netizens, particularly those from anti-WCQ camp, for his 'hidden' serves for quite some time now. Even Boll was peeved when they played during SG Smash which is rather telling since Boll is renowned for being fair. Point is, he's a recurring offender.

I didn't watch Felix vs XP but if I were to make a guess, the latter probably won many points using shovel serves too. It's a new gen tradition seemingly endorsed by the coaches.

 

[NextLevel]

Felix Lebrun

Down pretty big in Game 2, throws tantrum, wins game.
Down pretty big in Game 3, throws tantrum, ties it up at 8-8

I don't know any other athlete who improves their gameplay after throwing tantrums.

Truls? Alexis?

 

[AutomaticBackhand]

I think Felix's issue is that he doesn't do anything particularly special, he's just exceptionally solid in every phase of the game. Against most others, this allows him to be very consistent in coming up on top, especially in tight games when he can fall back to his solid-as-rock fundamentals. Against the CNT though, everyone from the top of the B team upward is very solid in every phase of the game, so every game against that level and upward is gonna be at least a slugfest for him. CNT A teamers usually bring something extra, like LJK with his power, LGY with his quickness, WCQ with his big head , etc. and then you have the champions like ML and FZD who bring a lots of extras. Felix is still young though, when ML was younger he was just solid, with nothing extra to make him championship quality, so he can still develop it.

Yes and No.
He has a unique and disruptive playstyle which works well because he is so talented and good at it.
But not against everyone everytime.

He is good at "overwhelming" his opponent, disrupting their rhythm, not giving them any time to breathe.
Fast serves, fast rallies, hard to win "easy" points against him.
If he's locked in, he's locked in.

Unless you make him uncomfortable - with good serves, taking your time in-between points, standing your ground in rallies, reading him well and receiving without giving him too much of an advantage, changing pace in rallies.

Sounds easier than it is.

But he is still young and has that "excuse" going for him.
Time will tell if he can win titles against the CNT - and his brother.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

LSD has been flamed by netizens, particularly those from anti-WCQ camp, for his 'hidden' serves for quite some time now. Even Boll was peeved when they played during SG Smash which is rather telling since Boll is renowned for being fair. Point is, he's a recurring offender.

I didn't watch Felix vs XP but if I were to make a guess, the latter probably won many points using shovel serves too. It's a new gen tradition seemingly endorsed by the coaches.

need a match between lsd vs wcq
or rather hidden serve vs hidden serve

 

[turbozed]

Don't go up on your opponent 9-5 on Table 1 because it never ends well.

Edit: Even the Goat Ma Long mentioned this lol