World Cup Day 3: They Are Out!
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“Out” has many meanings, but considering the 37.5-year-old Ovtcharov also advanced, you clearly cannot say those who failed to advance are “out” of date. In this article, Out is just “eliminated.” Liang Jingkun: LOKI Liang Jingkun custom, NEO blue national Hurricane, NEO orange national Hurricane. Ovtcharov: Ovtcharov ALC (should be Vis structure), D09c, Z03. I have to say, timely updating players’ gear is extremely hard, especially when their blades are “freaks.” In earlier matches, Ovtcharov used a handle marked Ovtcharov S1 (a five-ply all-wood sold only in Europe), but actually an inner SZLC, kiri-core blade. This time, the handle he went back to is the Ovtcharov ALC. From the Paris Olympics to now, these two years, the Ovtcharov ALC he uses is most likely actually a custom Viscaria. Since there are no higher-resolution gear photos from yesterday’s match, I can only judge from past experience.
Liang Jingkun lost 2-3 to Ovtcharov, the decider 10-12, out in the group stage. The last point was even Ovtcharov’s challenge — claiming Liang Jingkun’s serve toss angle was too large — that won the point. A bit mocking and lamentable. Because he lost 2-3 earlier to the unknown Cifuentes, with seemingly average form, quite a few players already foresaw Liang Jingkun failing to reach the knockout. Against Ovtcharov, at first Liang Jingkun mobilized himself very actively, frequently using the forehand (rare), and cheering himself. He gripped each ball very deep, with strong spin, heavy ball quality; at this rate, a 3-0 or 3-1 win over Ovtcharov could have advanced him on point difference. But after winning the first two games, Dapang was reversed in three straight. From the third game, Ovtcharov opened directly with long balls, contesting absolute rallies. And standing at the forehand, using a backhand serve, to Dapang’s middle-toward-forehand short or backhand long, Dapang received poorly. And once you return to Ovtcharov’s backhand, his ball really is fierce. Losing the decider, he also lost this World Cup; people guess this may be Dapang’s last singles major. Regardless, he still raised his hand and smiled to the crowd. Maybe he cannot reach the height in his own mind and our hopes, but he, at least, gave his all.
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Zhou Qihao lost 2-3 to Franziska. And Chen Yuanyu lost 0-3 to Qiu Dang, averaging 6 points a game, which seems to show many of our young players have a “speed gap” from the current national mainstream style. Facing Qiu Dang’s speed-up, Chen Yuanyu was a beat slow. Of course, a poor receive was also a main reason. With that, of our five men, only Wang Chuqin and Wen Ruibo each guard a half-draw. This is the worst World Cup result in years.
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On the women’s side, Qin Yuxuan beat (eliminated) Nina Hayata 3-1. Her middle protection, forehand down-the-line defense and impact are indeed nice. Hayata’s Nittaku slightly-tacky backhand seemed a bit slow in speed. Qin Yuxuan: Fan Zhendong ALC, NEO blue national Hurricane, D09c. Nina Hayata: Nina Hayata H2 custom, Nittaku blue national Hurricane, GENEXTION V2C. By now, Qin Yuxuan’s match with Winter has begun — let us see if she withstands the new test.