From what I saw Waldner simply played great that match....perhaps it wasn't a good day for Akerstrom. Normally I doubt Waldner would win so easily. However, when Waldner has his A game going, which he did that day, that result could happen to many people. Waldner still a world top 100 player on a normal day, and more than capable of beating world top 50 players on his good days. The Swedish players are lucky to still have the opportunity to play against him. There is zero shame in losing to him for Akerstrom, no matter how bad the score was that day.
Waldner is really old to play at that level and look at him, he defeated the actual swedish champion and if he played at other tournaments he would kick some asses
Oh my goodness, since when has Waldner been playing with the reverse color combination of his rubbers? I always remember him with a red rubber on his forehand and black on backhand.
5:03 what a shot ! so casual about it. fabian is clearly champ only because of those pimples..he is lacking so much in his game..what a whooping by J-O !
I would partly agree, but it's also because despite old age, J.O. is a master at playing against the defensive styles. Akerstrom beat Persson, so you saying that his pimples are the reason for his wins is also putting down Persson, in a sense.
Christopher Tan Ok :) Persson is not what he used to be, so be it. If he met him in his prime, I doubt Fabian would win. Have you seen the match against Ovtcharov, that guy was clearly very frustrated playing against pimps. TT should be about the game, about speed, reflexes, tactics and NOT about watching your opponent bat if he twiddled it or not so u might get an opposite spin. Would be much more fun game if pimps were banned imho ;) Just pure sport. Also it looks really silly that your opponent plays a bad/easy return with pimps (in the eye of a spectator) and u put it in a net..
Martin Kováč Fair enough about Persson not being what he used to be, but against the top players today, Persson would do better than Waldner would. Waldner's back is his main problem. Also, I get that long pips are annoying to play against, but when you have a master of long pips playing against the likes of Waldner, it's quite impressive to watch. To me, table tennis isn't just a sport, it's about brains as well as speed. It gives so much variety to the game, but to each his own. =)
If Akerstrom is the current Swedish champion, it doesn't say much for the state of table tennis in Sweden, especially compared to the glory days. I have watched Akerstrom many times, and I don't think he is a natural chopper. He loses many points when he moves back from the table and starts chopping. The pimples he uses are designed more for blocking than chopping, and I think that's where he should be concentrating his efforts. Stay up at the table and block with the LP's. disrupt play as much as possible, then attack any loose balls. Akkadi LP's are also good for attacking with the right technique - produces a fast float ball that is difficult for the opponent to return. The blades and rubbers these days are so fast that the chopping game is no longer as effective as it once was, plus it requires a very high level of fitness.
Haha, none of them could pivot - instantly punished by a fast backhand block down the line. Awesome to see a game focused on tactics. They both have their strong shots, but it's not overwhelming power that wins the day
Waldner easily beat Joo Se Hyuk in 2003, the same Year Joo qualified to the final in World championships. Do You find much weakness in Waldners play against choppers?
fabian have way to much respect for waldner..way too much respect, we all know he is waldner but you have to play your game against him you cant let him intimidate you...plus fabian needs to learn to attack with those pips..theres no way he is going to break top 50 if he doesnt use them in an attacking way...not close to the table....
