WTT Contender Tunis 2024 6/25-6/30

[zeio]

MS SF
Uda 3-2 Shinozuka (-6, -8, 7, 8, 3)

As far as this tournmanet is concerned, Shinopi has gotten much of his game-reading ability back after coming out of low back injury.

 

[mikeytt]

will never get tired of uda fh pivots, missed seeing him playing at this level.

 

[fore.n.back]

In the last two sets, for a moment I've seen the glimpse of that 2019 Uda's forehand coming back. Dude pulled a Ma Long on Shinozuka, completely locked away his backhand and set up deadly forehand attacks.
Please Japan, make more forehand-oriented player like Uda

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

my two picks on WRTT for this tournament we’re UDA and ODO now one more match to go !

 

[Vlad Celler]

Hirano won't play in Bangkok?

 

[zeio]

MS SF
Harimoto vs Matsushima (9, -9, 6, )

Matsushima took a page from the Lebrun brothers and served as quickly as he could in the first 2 games. He slowed down in G3 after that didn't work as well as he hoped.

 

[zeio]

Hirano won't play in Bangkok?

More time needed to recover than thought?

 

[zeio]

MS SF
Harimoto 3-2 Matsushima (9, -9, 6, -2, 10)
G5 31, 35 TO for Harimoto, 45, 46, 66, 69, 99, 109 long serve to Matsushima's FH from Harimoto, 1010, 1210

Matsushima took a page from the Lebrun brothers and served as quickly as he could in the first 2 games. He slowed down in G3 after that didn't work as well as he hoped.

Matsushima sped up again on his turn to serve after G3. Harimoto pulled a MLin and slowed down the pace as much as possible in response. The WTTC 2023 lesson (don't be the first to escape from short pushes) helped a lot here.

Another projection. If Matsushima keeps on playing like this (over-reliance on tricks to disrupt his opponents which is bound to hit a wall), he will end up like Moregard.

 

[zeio]

In the last two sets, for a moment I've seen the glimpse of that 2019 Uda's forehand coming back. Dude pulled a Ma Long on Shinozuka, completely locked away his backhand and set up deadly forehand attacks.
Please Japan, make more forehand-oriented player like Uda

Not gonna happen. Those within or close to JTTA with the balls to make that happen are either dead or retired. Miyazaki is actually a proponent of the BH-oriented style for both genders (see his field trip to South Korea in 2019 with Shinozuka, Yoshiyama Ryoichi, Tanigaki Yuma, Hamada Kazuki, Akae Kaho et al.). Same with Murakami.

 

[piligrim]

Is Sora still using fzd alc?

 

[piligrim]

 

[NextLevel]

Satsuki Odo takes out Nagasaki 3-1. Her game is just so solid. Getting to the finals is a great result, but I think Miwa will be too much for her.

Is my memory deceiving me? Didn't they play the final here last year? Or was that someone else?

Yes my memory was deceiving me - it was likely a different event if the march existed as Harimoto beat Shin Yubin here last year.

 

[joshmak10]

Is Sora still using fzd alc?

i believe so

 

[FIXPOINT]

 

[FIXPOINT]

 

[zeio]

WS F
Harimoto 4-0 Odo (10, 8, 8, 3)

MS F
Harimoto 4-3 Uda (-9, 7, -9, 6, 7, -4, 9)

Muscle cramps are gonna be the biggest hurdle for Miwa's brother at Paris 2024. But other than that, it is refreshing to see a different Harimoto.

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

not really a surprise, but Japan sweeped the 5 titles at WTT Tunis as Chinese and many other top players were missing

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

The Harimoto parents must be so proud to see their son and daughter win singles titles at the same tournament. Tomo is now combining both power and consistency on his forehand. Congrats to Uda for making the finals and making it so close. He played really smart on his opening attack forcing movement or uncomfortable counters. Needs to get stronger, but Uda is back!

 

[turbozed]

The Harimoto parents must be so proud to see their son and daughter win singles titles at the same tournament. Tomo is now combining both power and consistency on his forehand. Congrats to Uda for making the finals and making it so close. He played really smart on his opening attack forcing movement or uncomfortable counters. Needs to get stronger, but Uda is back!

Was really interesting to see how Harimoto handled that game when he realized he couldn't just exchange power shots with Uda. Switched between his standard backhand play that he used all of last year and further from the table FH loops that he was using a lot this tournament. Guess it was to try to prevent Uda from settling into his timing.

In the 7th game he alternated between the two with his serves too which was the most unorthodox I've seen him play. Credit to Uda who handled it well.

Wonder if Harimoto can do this strategy more often? He can probably improve his BH serve and setups to make it more effective.

 

[fore.n.back]

Not gonna happen. Those within or close to JTTA with the balls to make that happen are either dead or retired. Miyazaki is actually a proponent of the BH-oriented style for both genders (see his field trip to South Korea in 2019 with Shinozuka, Yoshiyama Ryoichi, Tanigaki Yuma, Hamada Kazuki, Akae Kaho et al.). Same with Murakami.

Players with great forehand is harder to come by than those with good backhand, but since Japanese tt philosophy is speed over everything it's understandable why BH is more favorable. To me Uda is a lone samurai from now on lol, I hope he can find a good coach to develop his playstyle further.

I often wander around weibo and it seems only Uda and Togami amongst the JNT are being praised for having a solid forehand