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

[rpb23]

Wow that was an amazing comeback win for Lind. Looked for a bit like it would a 3-0 for KCJ but Lind started playing a bit more passive and giving him spin variety and letting Kao make the mistakes.

This is a formula that works well for casual players but I don't see it done like this at this highest level very often. Kao tried to adjust with some decent soft touches and placement blocks but he couldn't really play that game with Lind either.

Wonder if this style will get him any further. Seems to work best on the athletic fast players.

This is a legitimate formula to win matches for pros as well. It's called short ball and spin control. This style can work against most players except seasoned veterans like Ma Long because he has seem everything and can handle everything. The formula works the best against young, inexperienced players like Kao.

Very likely, Lind will face another even better youngster LSD. Lets see if Lind's magic trick can still work. Compared to Kao, LSD has a more mature game, handles short game well and better at making game time tactic change. So, if these two meet, my money will be on LSD.

 

[turbozed]

This Game 4 between Harimoto and Truls is the craziest single game I think I've ever seen in table tennis.

This is like exhibition level stuff lol

Edit: I've never seen Harimoto genuinely laugh like that while losing a game so even he's amused by it all

 

[NextLevel]

SHW reminds us that age is a number... for choppers!

 

[driversbeat]

SHW reminds us that age is a number... for choppers!

Even Kim Kyungah was moving around like a lame duck at that age so for Suh to still play so athletically is nothing short of impressive.

 

[rpb23]

Truls and Harimoto match is going to the decider.

 

[NextLevel]

Whatever you think of Hari-boy and Truls, they have improved their weak sides SOOO much...

 

[turbozed]

This is a legitimate formula to win matches for pros as well. It's called short ball and spin control. This style can work against most players except seasoned veterans like Ma Long because he has seem everything and can handle everything. The formula works the best against young, inexperienced players like Kao.

Very likely, Lind will face another even better youngster LSD. Lets see if Lind's magic trick can still work. Compared to Kao, LSD has a more mature game, handles short game well and better at making game time tactic change. So, if these two meet, my money will be on LSD.

Do you remember any matches recently where it has worked against top players? Doesn't have to be top of the top like WCQ, but guys like Kao who can go deep in tournaments. I enjoy watching these games the most and feel like it's a style I'd like to emulate.

 

[turbozed]

Lol Harimoto tried the fast long serve twice at match point. The first one was smart. The second one maybe not so much

Edit: The third worked tho! Man this match is funny

And Truls takes it. What a thoroughly entertaining match

 

[NextLevel]

Some of the dumbest table tennis I have seen Harimoto play - he really needs to work on his mindset. Long serves, repeatedly opening to the backhand after Truls had proven he could counter with the punch... good match but dumb play.

 

[kindof99]

Some of the dumbest table tennis I have seen Harimoto play - he really needs to work on his mindset. Long serves, repeatedly opening to the backhand after Truls had proven he could counter with the punch... good match but dumb play.

The second one would probably have worked if it was to the forehand, or he could prepare to counter/block to Truls' backhand.

 

[kindof99]

It was a treat to watch Linds and Truls play two wonderful matches in about one hour. Two of the best matches for touch/variety so far this year.

 

[dingyibvs]

Do you remember any matches recently where it has worked against top players? Doesn't have to be top of the top like WCQ, but guys like Kao who can go deep in tournaments. I enjoy watching these games the most and feel like it's a style I'd like to emulate.

Ma long vs LGY, World Cup finals!

 

[turbozed]

Is it just me or does Lin Shidong have a very small following compared to his level?

I'm hearing less jaiyous and applause for him than most other Chinese athletes even when he's making some rather good plays.

 

[zeio]

Even Kim Kyungah was moving around like a lame duck at that age so for Suh to still play so athletically is nothing short of impressive.

Kim Kyungah: It looks like I've been underestimated.

KKA first retired at the end of 2012 and came out of retirement in 2016 to try for Tokyo 2020 before retiring again at the end of 2017.

Less than 2 months from turning 35
WTTC 2012
WT QF
M5 Ishikawa 2-3 Kim Kyungah (-9, 8, -9, 8, -12)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gQFAS8dWbY

Spanish Open 2012 (less than 3 weeks after WTTC 2012)
WS SF
Kim Kyungah 4-3 Ishikawa (-13, -7, 8, 10, 5, -8, 10)

Less than 2 months from turning 40
ATTC 2017
WS R32
Kim Kyungah 2-3 Kato (-5, 5, 6, -9, -10)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrrWIfbe-Y0

 

[blahness]

Damn Anders Lind's serve/receive game looks nasty af, some of those balls were curving like mad. Cant really blame Kao for missing those shots, it is not something he would have trained for.

This is why it really pays off in TT to be weird lol

 

[Tembel]

It was so frustrating watching the last set between Anton and LSD. LSD was starting to serve very obvious hidden serves. Anton's returns had been spot on the whole match, and then in the decider when LSD was starting to get behind, then he starts serving hidden serves and scores some easy points and gets the lead. this is followed by Anton switching to also serving hidden serves and almost catches up. Not a good 5th set for either of them ...

 

[longle]

It was so frustrating watching the last set between Anton and LSD. LSD was starting to serve very obvious hidden serves. Anton's returns had been spot on the whole match, and then in the decider when LSD was starting to get behind, then he starts serving hidden serves and scores some easy points and gets the lead. this is followed by Anton switching to also serving hidden serves and almost catches up. Not a good 5th set for either of them ...

the players are trying everything to win the crucial points - I guess the umpire will need to announce when it's 9-9 or 10-8, something like:

And the stages playing dramatic music with Red warning titles running

!!!WARNING!!!WARNING!!!MATCH POINT!! NO HIDDEN SERVES !!

 

[AutomaticBackhand]

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.

 

[zeio]

Suh Hyowon makes the last 16 AGAIN. Absolutely robbed of an Olympic team spot in 2021 and 2024 (and maybe even singles considering JJH's recent early round exits).

Big chance for her to enter quarters considering her next opponents are Mo Zhang/Takahashi. CXT is the most likely opponent at the last 8. Not entirely impossible.

Chen Yi 0-2 -> 3-2 Nagasaki

Only 'too selfish to retire' Ito and Mori left in the tournament.

What if KOR went with SYB and SHW for WS, and SHW for 2 singles with SYB/JJH for doubles in WT? This lineup could've gotten 4th in WS and bronze in WT as well.

Hashimoto/Sato: 豺狼當道！

2024/5/30
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/forum/topics/wtt-champions-chongqing-2024.34066/post-461543

It's not the first time SYS is troubled by Bergstrom.

Forget Hayata and Hirano. Sato and Hashimoto for Paris 2024!

2024/7/5
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...ender-bangkok-2024-july-2-7.34377/post-466771

With Hashimoto, of course. Even SYS fears Hashimoto.

2024/7/6
https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...ender-bangkok-2024-july-2-7.34377/post-466806

KOR is no longer the team from 2004 and 2008. They don't produce choppers like they used to and hence don't play choppers as well now. Remember KOR lost to GER at Tokyo 2020 and SYB, their best hope, was the culprit. Like I touched on last month, JPN is now better than CHN (and likely the best) at playing defenders (and combination players in general), which is another reason why Hirano's subsequent loss to Pavade was insignificant in comparison. Bergstrom, SHW and HY are the pot stirrers. But without SHW and HY, KOR and GER will be a lot weaker at Paris 2024, a lame duck for the latter especially.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...ender-bangkok-2024-july-2-7.34377/post-466858

KOR is wiped out.

WD F
JJH/SYB 1-3 Hashimoto/Sato (9, -7, -8, -11)

WS R16
CHJ 2-3 YXX (7, 6, -8, -9, -7)

 

[Angerer]

It was so frustrating watching the last set between Anton and LSD. LSD was starting to serve very obvious hidden serves. Anton's returns had been spot on the whole match, and then in the decider when LSD was starting to get behind, then he starts serving hidden serves and scores some easy points and gets the lead. this is followed by Anton switching to also serving hidden serves and almost catches up. Not a good 5th set for either of them ...

Indeed, it felt like the match swung into Anton's favor in the decider... until LSD started serving a hidden shovel, which Anton missed like 5 in a row.
Funnily enough, seeing dirty serves from LSD, Anton started to serve a hidden shovel himself and almost caught up.

Still, I feel LSD's shovel serve is not as dodgy as the one of WCQ, whose pendulum should be called out most of the time, not to mention his shovel.