Kenta Matsudaira sidespin block

Strokes

Xavi Gordillo Asked 11 years ago

Hello, Pingskills

I've seen Kenta Matsudaira playing a weird chop-block in many matches which works really well against heavy topspin and that seems very difficult to return. I was wondering how can I perform this stroke and if you recommend to play it in a match.

Thanks

Here's a link to a video which shows the stroke

Alois Rosario Answered 11 years ago

Hi Xavi,

This is a stroke that can be really effective but is a little risky as well. Because you are hitting with sidespin and not topspin the ball doesn't dip onto the table as quickly.

It is useful off a faster ball that is outside the line of your body.

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Thoughts on this question

Xavi Gordillo Posted 11 years ago

Thanks for the answer, but I have been practicing this stroke and I just cannot do it. Could you give me any tips to do this stroke?

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 11 years ago
It is a really difficult stroke. You are brushing across the back of the ball. It is not a stroke that I would recommend to players to work on. It is a stroke that can be developed when you are more advanced.

Xariuz Cruz Posted 11 years ago

use a banana flick which can almost hit any type of spin is better than the sidespin block. it is also faster than banana flick unless your opponent keep blocking your stroke

Surapun Wongopasi Posted 10 years ago

Hi Alois! I went back to watch the match between Kenta and Xu Xin last year when Kenta really gave Xu Xin a hard time with some weird blocks and strokes. I always thought that his side spin block would be more effective against a right handed player's slow spiny topspin than say against a left handed player. When you really watch this match carefully, you could see that Kenta had to modify his stroke, instead of using his backhand side spin block, he used a forehand chop block with very relaxed wrist to absorb the ball speed. I guess if Xu Xin was a right hander, Kenta would have beaten him just like he defeated Ma Lin earlier with his new weapon.

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