WTT Finals Men Doha 2023

[Egon]

Am I the only one who finds it a bit deflating that after the great WTT Champions Frankfurt, Lin Yun Ju quietly loses to the Chinese #4 in round 1 of this tournament?

I know we are used to this, but still... it should put the comments of notorious Harimoto critic, TensorBackhand, in context...

What happened in Frankfurt with Lin Yun Ju was unexpected and even incredible for many. It also incredible looks now Tomokazu's victory in this tournament. If he does this, then I will take off my hat and will never again be indignant about his heart-rending screams!

 

[superbackhand]

I just watched the match btw Jang Woojin vs Ma Long and I see ML doing some shots many would deemed divine / godly. For example: JWJ will push short ( with backspin no doubt ) but ML will step in and still FH drive / topspin for a winner.

My question is it the rubber that maketh the shot or is it Ma Long that maketh the shot.

Does the clothe maketh the man or the man maketh the clothe?

we all know it is the booster

 

[TensorBackhand]

Dang Qiu is fighting for real!

 

[TensorBackhand]

If LJK loses, he must switch to D09c as punishment

 

[zeio]

QD 3-2 LJK (-2, 12, -6, 9, 6)
G5 52 TO for LJK, 92 slight net for QD, 96 QD served off the table, 116
The key moment came at 5:7 of G4 when QD turned the tide by playing a few crucial pivot FH.

 

[dingyibvs]

I've been in awe of this particular shot of Ma Long for quite some time. I'm not sure any other player attacks such short balls with his forehand with such consistency. I think Felix tries this too (but his grip is better suited for this though so can't really compare)..

It's not the rubber, though obviously all pros use grippy rubbers. All pros know how to make that shot. What makes Ma Long special is his anticipation of that shot being available. It needs to be a bit high as you can't attack a low one, and you need to catch it at its highest point.

Ma Long makes the judgment that the return will be attackable more accurately and quicker than anyone, and it really stems from his supreme short game. He creates these opportunities with his pushes, and he anticipates when the opponent is trying to push short and low but isn't likely to be able to do so, and he judges quickly that the returned ball is exactly as anticipated and attack it with timing and placement (it's usually not a terribly fast shot, but spinny with wide angles).

 

[backspacer]

I feel like doubles is just an afterthought and only there to fill out two sessions so they can sell more tickets.

 

[SFF_lib]

QD 3-2 LJK (-2, 12, -6, 9, 6)
G5 52 TO for LJK, 92 slight net for QD, 96 QD served off the table, 116
The key moment came at 5:7 of G4 when QD turned the tide by playing a few crucial pivot FH.

QD deployed a lot of well-controlled short games and stayed close to table to win the points. Really well played.

Beating LJK is a huge milestone.

But he will face WCQ most likely which is a stronger beast

 

[jammmail]

LJK will be on the naughty step.

So pleased for QD - seems a really nice guy and fought back excellently. QD COULD be the German/European number 1 for a long time!

 

[mikeytt]

Haven’t seen Ma Long use a hook serve this often

 

[zeio]

ML will retire without a WTT title.

ML 2-3 LGY (-4, 5, -9, 9, -5)

 

[mikeytt]

Amazing performance by Lin gaoyuan, the angle he gets on some of his backhand winners are amazing

 

[Robin0910]

Lin Gaoyuan played amazingly today, but I bet he visited the church beforehand because the amount of luck he had in the last set is unbelievable

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

My comment on WTT Doha:

1. Aruna vs FZD
Aruna is one of my fav player, just look at my avatar. However I wish to comment about this match. It appears to me Aruna's BH is his Waterloo. Aruna does not use his BH offensively but mainly blocking and setting up for his FH. As such, my question is, what is his logic for using a 53 degree hardness on his BH? Would he not be more controlable to use a softer rubber say like 48 or even 45? I am baffled by his choice of BH rubber. I have no dispute about his choice for FH as his FH is like that of a 105mm howitzer.

2. Darko vs FZD
Nothing to say but massive massive
R-E-S-P-E-C-T to Darko ( my second fav player )

 

[jammmail]

My comment on WTT Doha:

1. Aruna vs FZD
Aruna is one of my fav player, just look at my avatar. However I wish to comment about this match. It appears to me Aruna's BH is his Waterloo. Aruna does not use his BH offensively but mainly blocking and setting up for his FH. As such, my question is, what is his logic for using a 53 degree hardness on his BH? Would he not be more controlable to use a softer rubber say like 48 or even 45? I am baffled by his choice of BH rubber. I have no dispute about his choice for FH as his FH is like that of a 105mm howitzer.

2. Darko vs FZD
Nothing to say but massive massive
R-E-S-P-E-C-T to Darko ( my second fav player )

I think its impossible to know what the pros are using. Let along recommending what they might use better.

Agree about Darko though – great to watch.

 

[Robin0910]

My comment on WTT Doha:

1. Aruna vs FZD
Aruna is one of my fav player, just look at my avatar. However I wish to comment about this match. It appears to me Aruna's BH is his Waterloo. Aruna does not use his BH offensively but mainly blocking and setting up for his FH. As such, my question is, what is his logic for using a 53 degree hardness on his BH? Would he not be more controlable to use a softer rubber say like 48 or even 45? I am baffled by his choice of BH rubber. I have no dispute about his choice for FH as his FH is like that of a 105mm howitzer.

2. Darko vs FZD
Nothing to say but massive massive
R-E-S-P-E-C-T to Darko ( my second fav player )

You have more control blocking with harder rubbers. If he used softer rubbers to speed his passive blocks up the returning ball would be faster making it harder to play the forehand, hence he uses the harder one. He also likes punching with his bh like Truls and they both use hard rubbers so there’s something in it as well.

 

[Shine]

Felix had a real chance of beating WCQ in all aspects except short game. He popped up so many short balls and literally gave his points away

Lol, you can't really believe Felix is a better rallier than WCQ. Much of WCQ's strength is in his ability to take the first attack and pummel his opponents in the rally.

 

[mikeytt]

thought uda played ok despite not playing internationally in a while, but overall a disappointing showing from togami/uda pair. will be interesting to see togami/matsushima in the next tournament in a few days. i wonder what doubles pairing they will select for Paris

 

[jammmail]

thought uda played ok despite not playing internationally in a while, but overall a disappointing showing from togami/uda pair. will be interesting to see togami/matsushima in the next tournament in a few days. i wonder what doubles pairing they will select for Paris

Agree seemed to start ok but then faded.

Franziska seems to be the weak link today in their game.

 

[Egon]

It should be noted that Lin Gaoyan played with his racket, not Ma Long's.