WTT Singapore Smash 2025 (30 Jan ~ 9 Feb 2025)

[piligrim]

so today the Youth Smash kicked in, and the 7 point, BO7 format started.
I spoke to a coach and player who played today, indeed needing to get used to it.

Hope they won't continue with it. Totally bullshit

 

[NextLevel]

Our disagreements was on the use of the word clone. I did not and still hardly believe imitation partners for WTTC or Olympics purposes only are clones. A clone in the proper sense of the word, the way I know it, or in the context of how things were in years before was just on the team to clone a player. They didn't play tournaments or do anything that other top players do. XF is tenable since he's spent so much time on the sidelines. QTY was a top 10 player for most of last year, and I find it hard to conceive of how an active top 10 player is a clone of another top 10 player. Where's the time to clone Hayata lol?

There is always time to prepare the major team better.

 

[NextLevel]

Looking at He Zhuojia's draw, she barely survives Sreeja Akula at deuce in the 5th, then she blanks Harimoto and Shin. Makes you wonder...

 

[Brs]

Looking at He Zhuojia's draw, she barely survives Sreeja Akula at deuce in the 5th, then she blanks Harimoto and Shin. Makes you wonder...

Well, she wouldn't get a ton of practice vs other junk rubber players in CNT training.

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

Watched some 7 pt games at the Youth Smash. I don't find it appealing. Games are over so quick. No time to adjust and switch tactics. Not a fan.

 

[driversbeat]

Watched some 7 pt games at the Youth Smash. I don't find it appealing. Games are over so quick. No time to adjust and switch tactics. Not a fan.

Even 11 points is way too fast sometimes. 7 is absolutely nuts. 15 seems like a happy middle ground between old and new format but completely opposite to what WTT is going for.

 

[Vlad Celler]

К.M. - Top - 10 ?

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Watched some 7 pt games at the Youth Smash. I don't find it appealing. Games are over so quick. No time to adjust and switch tactics. Not a fan.

yep
very difficult format, adaption time is even shorter

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Even 11 points is way too fast sometimes. 7 is absolutely nuts. 15 seems like a happy middle ground between old and new format but completely opposite to what WTT is going for.

15, and 3 serves?
sounds like fun

maybe should try it out, just for the sake of adapting to something unique

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

KM 4-1 ZYL. ZYL is quite the fighter though. She's going to be moving up the rankings fast.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

KM 4-1 ZYL. ZYL is quite the fighter though. She's going to be moving up the rankings fast.

ZYL is good enough to be in the CNT imo

but CNT doesn't work based on merits. But Shine thinks merits can make more outings for CNT?

I like to just name one recent player (at age 26, so young enough) - Fan Siqi,
She had only 1 WTT in 2024, and it was Beijing Smash and she made the semi final from qualifications. giving her win rate of playing 8, won 7, 88% win rate for 2024.
2023 she had 5 events, playing 20 and winning 16, a 80% win rate.
2022, 30 winning 25 @ 83%

In these win rate, beating CNT front line members (ahead of her), and making career high WR12 in the process is great merits in my humble opinion.

So when we ask, merits gets you into CNT front line team.... I'm afraid I know many players who says otherwise.

ZYL should recruit the ones that have merit, good enough, but simply not on the radar of Ma Lin and Wang Hao (or the big boss) and allow the players to have extended international careers

 

[NextLevel]

Even 11 points is way too fast sometimes. 7 is absolutely nuts. 15 seems like a happy middle ground between old and new format but completely opposite to what WTT is going for.

This is an old recommendation that unfortunately the ittf has shown no interest in.

 

[NextLevel]

Looks like Hayata is trying to make zeio miserable. The Chinese had better right the ship or zeio's infamous Tieba users might all have a heart attack.

 

[NextLevel]

Something about the environment or the ball is really rewarding spinny play.

 

[turbozed]

Good match for Hayata despite falling off hard in the 7th game there. Early on she was very patient about constructing points and staying stable before choosing the right time to play a finisher. Even played some marathon Gauzy highlight reel worthy points which I've rarely seen from her in the past. I like this approach a lot.

Overall a good start to "Season 2" of the Hayata show, especially considering how much hand wringing about her future that was happening in early January.

 

[zeio]

From the way Hayata started missing, the pain probably started between G4 and G5.

Best chance to beat CXT gone, after Hirano started the momentum at ATTC 2024.

The only reason it was close is because CXT played safe and kept brushing the ball when the seamless ball is more suitable for hitting.

WS QF
Hayata 3-4 CXT (-9, 9, 8, -9, -8, 8, -4)
G3 25, 118
G4 36, 56 TO for CXT and both yellow-carded afterward?, 66, 67, 77, 78, 88, 810 dead net for CXT, 910, 911
G5 14, 54, 55, 75, 78 Hayata's BH loopkill went long, 79 Hayata FH loopkilled into the net, 89, 811 Hayata's FH loop went long.
G6 30, 31, 61, 62, 72, 74 TO for Hayata, 84, 85, 95, 97 CXT finally went for broke on these 2 shots (hitting than brushing), 98, 118
G7 03, 13, 17, 27, 210, 410, 411

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...rors-empresss-cup-1-21-1-26.36396/post-505094

The real test will be starting next week. The intensity in this Zennihon Takkyu is way lower compared to past editions and the bracket is unbalanced where Hayata gets opponents against whom she has a better H2H.

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...rors-empresss-cup-1-21-1-26.36396/post-505109

Though I'm afraid it is too late now. I've always said Smart Hayata is the way to go after WTTC 2022 but now she is only doing it out of fear of getting injured again (and ending her career for real). Her top gear is no longer there when she needs it and she will definitely need it against the CNT. But props to her personal trainer and current coach 岡雄介/OKA Yusuke for the real change.

 

[NextLevel]

From the way Hayata started missing, the pain probably started between G4 and G5.

Best chance to beat CXT gone, after Hirano started the momentum at ATTC 2024.

The only reason it was close is because CXT played safe and kept brushing the ball when the seamless ball is more suitable for hitting.

WS QF
Hayata 3-4 CXT (-9, 9, 8, -9, -8, 8, -4)
G3 25, 118
G4 36, 56 TO for CXT and both yellow-carded afterward?, 66, 67, 77, 78, 88, 810 dead net for CXT, 910, 911
G5 14, 54, 55, 75, 78 Hayata's BH loopkill went long, 79 Hayata FH loopkilled into the net, 89, 811 Hayata's FH loop went long.
G6 30, 31, 61, 62, 72, 74 TO for Hayata, 84, 85, 95, 97 CXT finally went for broke on these 2 shots (hitting than brushing), 98, 118
G7 03, 13, 17, 27, 210, 410, 411

https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...rors-empresss-cup-1-21-1-26.36396/post-505094


https://www.tabletennisdaily.com/fo...rors-empresss-cup-1-21-1-26.36396/post-505109

It's like the fact that Chen Xingtong showed up as a last minute replacement for Wang Manyu and therefore didn't go through serious training has no impact on your assessment. In any case, I would have been surprised if we didn't get the obligatory Hirano puff piece.

 

[zeio]

Hayata and Ito still failed to get past the core CNT players that are supposed to have collapsed...

WS QF
WYD 4-1 Ito (7, -4, 9, 6, 5)

 

[Takkyu_wa_inochi]

Alexis LEBRUN will play the semifinal final against LIN

 

[NetProphet]

Alexis LEBRUN will play the semifinal final against LIN

You are correct Sir 👍