(by Steve Hopkins)

The WTT tour events have a number of different names from “Feeder” to “Contender” to “Champions”, but some of the biggest events now use the name “Smash” – indicating they are one of a maximum of four featured Grand Smash events per year.  This designation was first used with the Singapore Smash, and this year two additional events are scheduled with that same designation – the Saudi Smash and the China Smash.

This year’s Saudi Smash has 2 million dollars in prize money, and the winners will get 2000 ranking points.  A further breakdown of the prizes is as follows:  Singles winners will receive 2000 points and $65,000 USD, Finalists will receive 1400 points and $33,050, there are additional prize tiers for each round all the way down to the very first round where all players in the main draw (64 spots) receive a minimum of $8,500 and 20 points.

This high level of prize money and ranking points likely explains why so many of the top players are in (or headed to) Saud Arabia ready for the tournament to begin on Wednesday.  In the Men’s Singles event, all of the top 22 players will be competing – and we are only missing 3 players in the top 50.  Its similar on the Women’s side where 14 of the top 15 are present and only 6 of the Top 50 are absent.  In that list of great players are Americans Lily Zhang (World No. 31) and Amy Wang (World No. 34).

What’s at stake this week in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia?  Wang Chuqin currently holds a 1700 point lead over Fan Zhendong (with 2000 points available to the winner).  And early exit by either player could greatly expand or constrict that lead.  But the margins are much closer between other spots – Fan is only 550 points ahead of third place Ma Long, and Ma Long is only 405 points ahead of Liang Jingkun.

Lots of action is on tap for later this week with matches beginning on Wednesday.

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