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Find out more about becoming a premium memberIn this entertaining final of the PIngSkills classic, the power of Simon Gerada comes up against the speed of Miao Miao.
Free members can watch the first set on our YouTube channel.
Hi,
I thought it was a great match. I think it shows a strength in the 11-pt game vs the old 21 pts, the former being more engaging for both players and spectators.
I noticed Miao's variation on the standard shake hands grip, where she rotates her index finger towards the centre of the bat, and then the finger below moves too, looking like it's just touching the edge of the blade rather than being on the handle. I guess this is giving her an advantage for f/hands. But then her b/hand is so strong, so I'm wondering what her rationale is. As far as I can tell, this grip is not just used for serve spin, but the whole rally.
My opponent last week had the same grip. He fast served to my b/hand, then quickly pivoted around his b/hand corner, expecting me to receive the ball to his serving position. This was often the case, and his game is not based on power, but on getting extreme angles, so he was looking to put away the 3rd ball wide to my b/hand. After he'd won too many points from this tactic, I varied the receive and played it down his f/hand line, which he didn't like at all. He didn't do much with his b/hand. Of course, Miao is strong both sides.
Also, I've heard that my opponent was or is a tennis player. I don't know if that's related to his TT bat grip though!
Can you please comment on this non-std grip? Thanks.
Too much wasted time with the shoes. I want to see some table tennis, not some-one constantly wiping the soles of his feet.
HI Andrew,
Miao does change her grip with the forehand. She is well trained but her forehand is also often the first thing that breaks down in a match. I think she feels like she gets better control over the racket with that grip on the forehand.
In your match it was good to see that you thought tactically and the simple change of returning down the line can change the whole dynamic of the rallies.
Hi Robert,
The floor was a bit slippery on the day and it is important for the players to have good grip on their feet when moving. What he was doing was making sure the soles of his shoes were clean so that they could grip as well as possible.
Who won the 2nd Classic? Gerada?
Hi Alois,
Miao seemed to serve every ball with her f/hand (with the red spin-pips). Correct me if I'm wrong!
In past matches, I have seen her play b/hand serves with the red spin-pips and then twiddle so the red spinnier rubber is back on her f/hand. I'm using the same medium pips on b/hand and I serve lots of b/hands with the spinny inverted rubber and then twiddle. I also serve a few with exactly the same action but with the un-spinny medium pips and no twiddle. I can do exactly the same swing and get a different spin, which is close to no-spin. This troubles opponents. Overall, I've found it best to serve most with the spinny inverted but to occasionally mix things up. Perhaps Miao thought it was a tactical advantage to serve with the f/hand?
Watching the international players, I note that in different matches the same player will serve differently against another. I guess this is related to how their opponent plays?
Hi Andrew,
Miao serves to an advantage. She will work out which opponent likes or dislikes a particular serve and then work on it.
I think you serving without twiddling sometimes is a good thing. It is another variation that your opponent needs to deal with.
