(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.