Lin Shidong Surprise Winner in Macao

September 15, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Lin Shidong entered the WTT Champions Macao as the 9th seed, but that did not deter him. Shidong, World No. 13, topped Tomokazu Harimotor (World No. 8), Lin Yun-Ju (World No. 9), Wang Chuqin (World No. 1), and Dang Qiu (World No. 12) on his way to the title. Of […]

Plan Your One-Minute Break

September 9, 2024

(by Larry Hodges) You only get one break that you can call during a match, and it’s only sixty seconds long. How should you use it? Here are four reasons you might consider a time-out, in rough order of how often you should use this reason. (Ideally, you should have more than one of these […]

The Draws are out for WTT Champions Macao

September 8, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins) The tour next turns its attention towards Macao where the WTT Champions Series event will be played this week. The draws have been posted, and action will begin on Monday – there are no easy matches. Top seeded (and World No. 1) Wang Chuqin’s path to the Semifinals could include Patrick Franziska […]

Lin Shidong Wins in Almaty

September 8, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTFWorld) The WTT Contender series event this week was in Almaty, Kazakhstan and the top seeded Shidong (World No. 14) did not disappoint. Shidong swept the titles, winning Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles – three events and three wins. In Men’s Singles, Shidong dropped a game to Aidos Kenzhigulov […]

Seidenfeld Secures Bronze – Solid Para Results for TeamUSA in Paris

September 5, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins) Ian Seidenfeld fell today to Matteo Parenzan of Italy in their Semifinals match in Class 6. Seidenfeld had a great run up until this point, but he fell behind early and never regained the momentum. Parenzan won 11-7, 11-2, and 11-8, leaving Seidenfeld (and TeamUSA) with the Bronze medal. Our other two […]

If Serving Practice is Drudgery Then Perhaps Your Serves Are Too Simple

September 2, 2024

(by Larry Hodges) I’ve watched players, even top players, spend hour after hour practicing the simplest serves imaginable. Yes, you need to practice basic serves so you develop near-perfect control of their height, depth, and direction. But it’s drudgery to practice such serves over and Over and OVER when there’s so much more you can […]

ITTF Rankings Entering September

September 1, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins) Little has changed atop the World Rankings. Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong have maintained their top positions. Hugo Calderano is in third – the Brazilian isa the top non-Chinese player. Liang Jingkun is No. 4 followed by Europe’s top ranked player, Felix Lebrun. Ma Long is 6th, then Lin Yun-Ju, Lin Gaoyuan, […]

Singles Up Next at the Paris Paralympics

September 1, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Singles have started in Paris, and TeamUSA’s three Paralympians will see their first action on Monday. Ian Seidenfeld plays England’s Martin Perry early Monday morning in Men’s Singles MS6. Jenson Van Emburgh will face France’s Noel Sylvain in Men’s Singles MS3. Tahl Leibovitz will face Ukraine’s Ivan Mai in their […]

Surprise Finalists in Muscat

September 1, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Xiang Peng of China and Feng Yi-Hsin of Taipei were the top seeds in the Men’s event at the WTT Series Feeder event in Muscat, Oman. The event featured players outside of the World Top 40, a draw dominated by up and coming players with most from China, Taipei, Japan, […]

What to Do in a Laugher Match

August 26, 2024

(by Larry Hodges) You’ve all played them – a tournament match that is simply uncompetitive, where you don’t have to try and you’ll still win easily. These can be dangerous matches. Why? First, make sure it’s a “laugher” match. I once coached a match where my player was rated about 700 points higher than the […]