Site Products
Southeastern Open Final Leaves Crowd Speechless

Southeastern Open Final Leaves Crowd Speechless

(By Barbara Wei)
Southeastern Open Final Leaves Crowd Speechless
Spectators and players were treated to a stunning set of championship single elimination matches on the third and final day of competition at the 2017 Butterfly Southeastern Open. In the Main Event, Jishan Liang (2672) and Yichi Zhang (2602), the top two seeds, dutifully reached the final to face each other. The final match extended both players to their absolute fullest, finally ending deuce in the 7th in favor of Jishan Liang in the most unusual of ways.

Although Yichi had beaten Jishan the weekend before at the Maryland Table Tennis Center October Open, Jishan had won the previous 8 times. However, entering the final match, both Jishan and Yichi were in good form, having each only ceded 3 total games (and no matches) in the entire competition.

Yichi started out very strong, essentially disarming Jishan of his typical serve and attack play by confidently backhand flipping or gently spinning every serve. He pulled ahead 2-0 in games in the best of 7 match, putting the pressure on Jishan to find a different strategy. Jishan responded in force, squeaking out the next two games by the narrowest of margins to tie the match 2-2. Yichi then regained his focus and took the next game quickly, solidifying his lead in the match 3-2. Jishan then pushed ahead – claiming the 6th game 11-8 to tie the match at 3-3 and led 6-1 in the 7th and final game.

 At this point, the crowd was excited for Jishan, their local North Carolina player to capture the title. However, Yichi turned back on the magic and tied the game at 7-7 with a few beautiful backhand flips. The players traded points until 9-9. Jishan captured the next point 10-9 to have his first match point, but Yichi ripped a forehand straight into Jishan’s middle, again tying the match at 10-10. Jishan has the serve and pulls ahead with a serve attack. Yichi now prepares to serve, taking his time to carefully plan the point. The crowd holds its breath and Yichi tosses the ball and then serves it straight into the net. Both players freeze on the court for a second, processing what has just happened. Similarly the crowd is silent – not believing what they just saw.

 Although anticlimactic, undoubtedly the end to the dramatic 2017 Southeastern Open final will be one to remember for both the players and spectators.  

 Continual coverage of the Southeastern Open and stories about the athletes will be available at www.ButterflyOnline.com, or via Bowmar Sports/Butterfly North America’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Latest News

Tip of the Week – Nullify Opponent’s Biggest Threat

October 6, 2025
By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame, www.tabletenniscoaching.com/blog What does your opponent do that… Read More

Taiwo Adeyinka – Atlanta Open

October 6, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips,  Taiwo Adeyinka is in action at the Atlanta Open https://youtu.be/GnVWdEKsAcw… Read More

MLTT Week 3 Recap: Portland Paddlers Shine at Home

October 5, 2025
(By Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) Major League Table Tennis brought its high-octane  format to the Pacific Northwest this… Read More

Bremen Takes Over First in the German League

October 5, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo TTBL) Five weeks in to the new season of the German Professional League (TTBL),… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Genesee Valley Table Tennis Club

October 5, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) With their location just South of central Rochester along Hwy 390, the Genesee Valley Table Tennis… Read More

China Smash: Chuqin Triples Up

October 5, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The China Smash 2025 Presented by Beijing Shijingshan Culture & Tourism Group finished… Read More

Rogelio Castro – WTT Smash Swedish Highlights

October 5, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Rogelio Castro is in action at the WTT Smash Sweden… Read More

After the Serve – Low Position

October 4, 2025
Serve,Short game and attack with Wait function: Jhon serves short backspin, robot plays short backspin drop shot to… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.