(by Steve Hopkins)

This video is a German Bundesliga match last Decmeber.  It was uploaded by TTBL and shows Marcelo Aguirre traded big shots with Bastien Steger.  Steger is known for hitting big shots, and is especially known for his long, full backhand loop technique.  However, in comparison to Aguirre, there’s a noticeable different – with the ball speed clearly higher, and a pattern of fearless openings.  Most players trade short or controlled balls at the beginning of a point and then slowly work their way up to full speed with a slow opening topspin.  This is not the case with Aguirre who often opens at full speed – pounding the ball with his first topspin opportunity and then never looking back.

In this Hemisphere, Paraguay’s Marcelo Aguirre is a Top 5 player.  Hugo Calderano, Kanak Jha and Tsuboi and Ishiy are the only four players ranked higher.  In the ITTF’s Latin America zone, Aguirre is the top ranked player outside of Brazil.

Enjoy the free-swinging topspin rallies of Aguirre and Steger in this tight pre-shutdown league match.

Aguirre uses the Mizutani Jun ZLC blade, Tenergy 05 Hard on the forehand and Dignics 05 on the backhand.  The Marcelo Aguirre Pro-Line Combination Racket is currently on sale through ButterflyOnline.com

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