SiteProducts
Calderano2

World Cup Macao: Calderano Stuns Chuqin, Shidong Over Jingkun

(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT)

The news on Saturday was Hugo Calderano’s win over World No. 2 Wang Chuqin.  This wasn’t just just a simple momentum shift, Calderano was down 1-3 against one of the most dominant players in the world – and he came back winning three in a row.

Picking up action at 3-3, after Calderano won the first game, Chuqin dominated the next three, and then Calderano won two games to tie the score.  This set up an epic seventh game in the Semifinals. Chuqin started strong building a 4-2 lead, but Calderano reeled him back in and the two were tied at 5-5.  Chuqin turned up the pace largely with cross court forehands – and Calderano was content to move a few steps back to slow the game and keep the rallies going.  Both players hit some big shots, and Calderano often played shots with right to left movement, using the spin to turn into the left-handed Chuqin (sometimes handcuffing him in the middle or moving him to the right).  Calderano also played his forehand inside-out, to move balls wide of Chuqin’s forehand – Calderano effectively expanded the distance to cover on his own side by moving back, and forced expanded coverage on his opponent by moving the ball around with spins that increased the width Chuqin needed to cover.

With a missed backhand, Chuqin lost his lead, and the two were then tied at 8-8.  Calderano jumped at this new opportunity, and returned a blistering forehand down the line to give Calderano his first lead of the final game. The two fought to 10-10 where a sloppy return gave Calderano match point.  And on the 21st shot of the final rally, Wang Chuqin’s forehand sails long – giving Calderano the win.  Early in that point, Calderano played a two-handed backhand.  As the point progressed, both had opportunity to play an aggressive angle, but both chose to hit powerful forehand to powerful forehands down the center of the table.  Eventually, the last shot missed, Calderano fell to the ground in celebration, the camera panned past the 13 Chinese players in tracksuits supporting Chuqin over to Bruna Takahashi who appeared to be the only person in Calderano’s corner.  World No. 5 has upset World No. 2 – and Hugo Calderano has a signature win on one of the biggest stages of the year.

The other half of the draw had less drama.  Shidong and Jingkun have faced off in this Semifinal slot in several major events, and while each have won – the advantage is clearly towards World No. 1 Lin Shidong.  In fact going in to this match, Shidong had won 3 of the last 4 meetings.   Things started well for Liang Jingkun, pulling out a 15-13 marathon win in the first game.  However, Shidong quickly pulled ahead in the second game and never looked back.  The next four games were won by Lin Shidong at 4, 5, 8, and 7.  A dominant performance over the World’s fourth best player.

Shidong and Calderano will face off on Sunday.

Visit ButterflyOnline.com for the latest table tennis news and results.

Latest News

Butterfly Training Tips with Sanuka Herath – Two Short Returns, Two Follow up Attacks

May 8, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Sanuka Herath is executing a drill using the Amicus Prime.… Read More

Meet the New Faces of MLTT!

May 7, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis) Lineups Locked 🔒 MLTT Season 3 rosters are officially locked and every squad… Read More

Coach Feth explains how to shift your weight properly.

May 7, 2025
FETHOMANIA 2: Drill 1 – Forehand topspin against long backspin to Forehand https://youtube.com/shorts/k9WMRRIq_5s All FETHOMANIA drills are performed… Read More

Butterfly Training Tips with Kevin Doyle – Two Backhand Loops, Two Forehand Loops

May 7, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Kevin Doyle is executing Two Forehand Loops, Two Backhand Loops… Read More

Jessie Xu Qualifies to Represent Canada at Two Major International Table Tennis Events in 2025

May 6, 2025
(by Bowmar Sports) From April 25 to 27, 2025, Jessie Xu competed in the national selection tournament for… Read More

Butterfly Product Validation – Tenergy 64

May 6, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Product Validation, Brian Pace breaks down who Tenergy 64 is suited for.… Read More

Move Both Legs at the Same Time!

May 5, 2025
(Square movement): 2 Backhand topspin from Backhand -1 close to the table and 1 away from the table,… Read More

Butterfly Training Tips with Anqi Luo – Backhand, Forehand, Middle Looping

May 5, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Anqi Lou is working with a student on the sequence… 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.