'14 Southern Open - Finals Video

Wonderful match!!!

Whenever you practice with someone on a regular basis, ratings can go out the window on any particular match.

If Li Kewei was never based closed to Jim, this would be more impressive...

NextLevel wrote: Whenever you practice with someone on a regular basis, ratings can go out the window on any particular match. If Li Kewei was never based closed to Jim, this would be more impressive...

That's like saying it's not impressive when Zhang Jike beats Ma Long or vice versa just because they train with each other... The knowledge goes both ways so I think the advantage it gives is neutralized. I like watching matches when players know each other well because it leads to less unforced errors.

I'm not from the States but there is something which is universal in TT : if a talented striker plays regularly with a talented defender, he will win more and more.

BMonkey wrote: NextLevel wrote: Whenever you practice with someone on a regular basis, ratings can go out the window on any particular match. If Li Kewei was never based closed to Jim, this would be more impressive... That's like saying it's not impressive when Zhang Jike beats Ma Long or vice versa just because they train with each other... The knowledge goes both ways so I think the advantage it gives is neutralized. I like watching matches when players know each other well because it leads to less unforced errors.

I think Baal said they really didn't play together. Either way it was a really good match for the spectators. My two cents are that Li Kewei's forehand strategy is what failed him. A) he seemed a little out of practice (must be coaching too much) B) he never changed the type of loop; it was always the power loop.

Edited by BMonkey - 09/09/2014 at 12:12pm

But you are getting better!  Who was doing all that choing?  Was that your opponent?

BMonkey wrote: I think Baal said they really didn't play together. Either way it was a really good match for the spectators. My two cents are that Li Kewei's forehand strategy is what failed him. A) he seemed a little out of practice (must be coaching too much) B) he never changed the type of loop; it was always the power loop.

Actually they have only played together about three times -- in the finals of two tournaments, both this month, and once for just a little while not long after Li Kewei arrived in Houston some months back.  Li Kewei won their earlier tournament meeting, I think it was 4-2.  They play at different clubs mostly.  In fairness Li Kewei has a really heavy coaching schedule these days, mostly little kids (he is fantastic with kids by the way), and I'm not sure how much he really gets to practice at all, certainly never with anybody even close to Jim's level.  That's why a lot of really good 2700 level Chinese players sometimes have a hard time maintaining a level quite that high.  Jim's practice partners are a lot better (2400+), but they don't play a style even remotely like Li Kewei's.  So there are a lot of factors,  but neither one of those guys would ever make an excuse for winning or losing.  Li Kewei is a fantastic player and I think Jim had to play really well and really smart to win (especially since historically he had some problems with good defenders).  It was fun to watch. 

Baal wrote: BMonkey wrote: Baal wrote: But you are getting better!  Who was doing all that choing?  Was that your opponent? The super cho-er was Edward Li. He was like that all tournament. I was surprised how much that affects some people. If you notice though, towards the end he is playing again on the tables in the background but he was muchhhh more quiet. Guess what the outcome of that match was?  I knew it!  Last night when I was watching that match I told myself that sounded like Eddie.  Guy used to drive me (and many other people) insane with his choing from adjacent tables, now he plays at a different club so other people get to enjoy that now .  I guess he hasn't stopped.  It is definitely a generational thing.  I am definitely one of those people who can be distracted by that.  But my concentration is crap at the best of times.

Haha I did a stint in the military so I guess I've developed the ability to tune out people's yelling... or maybe that happened after I got married 

changjoola wrote: Baal are you sure about this cuz I have heard from players that they do practice. Don't you play at the Houston club on Boone and aren't these guys at Texas table tennis training center. Just curious.

I play both places, but mostly at HTTA, and no they don't practice regularly.  It has happened about once (that I know of) and most definitely not regularly.  I talk to Jim all the time.  Jim mostly plays at HTTA with Niraj Oak, Viktor Subonj and Darko Rapp (who never play at TTTC), while Li Kewei spends almost all of his time coaching at TTTC where he now has tons of students.  Jim was actually at TTTC more often after they first opened.  Both clubs are good places to play, owner of TTTC is a friend of mine.