The atmosphere here is so exciting. Nice set up than previous years, a long list of world class players and exciting matches. I’m thrilled as everyone else. I have not seen such an interest in our people getting auto-graph and taking pictures with the world class players. I have been to Europe last year to watch some pro tours, and I see the same excitement in this soil as I’ve seen there. Is Table Tennis still live in the US? Oh Yes!
I’m proud of India, my home country in many aspects. I’ve not been to India for the last 3 years. I’ve started playing table tennis seriously less than two years ago, so I did not know much about the standard of table tennis players in India except Sharat Kamal who has become popular and playing in South America. The table tennis is a popular sport in India – you will see tables in clubs and places like YMCA. I was surprised to see some 15 players from India – most of them are young below 20 years old – and many of them playing in the US Open Championship. I’ve met the team leader who has come with them and he has told me 5 of his guys are qualified to play Open. These young boys are excellent top spin players – some of them have arrived here a month ago and got further training at the India Community Center, California. I don’t have the results with me now, but some of them have advanced yesterday beating players from countries like Serbia.
Iran has some very good players here. I have been watching one player from Iran playing against Rosskopf. That was a good match. I can’t believe with my eyes the buckets of top spin Rosskopf throwing against the Iranian player – both the players threw the barricades out few times.
Another exciting match was between Alaxander Karakasevic against Steffen Mengel (I think his name is correct). This more than 6 feet tall German took the first 2 games. His trouble started when Alaxander played a very simple game and curving the ball with top & side spin further from Mengel’s back hand which he was not able to do nothing against. Alaxander fought and won that match 4 to 2.
I’ve watched Chen Weixing playing against an Iranian player. I don’t have any words to say other than the Iranian player himself telling me nothing could work against Chen - neither push, topspin or serves.
Another interesting match was between Chen Weixing and Canda’s Pradeeban Peter-Paul who is a North American Table Tennis Champion. Chen has asked me to come and watch it as it would be very interesting – luckly my other event was over and I was free. I felt Pradeeban was so confident in playing against once world top 10. I thought Paul would win because Chen is playing a handicapped match – his right knee was hurting him. Pradeeban’s serves were very tactical to get some loose balls from Chen’s long pips. Unfortunately he could not do much except he took one game after he started his focus on Chen’s forehand – few times Chen stumbled on his forehand. The most interesting thing about the game is that when the games get closer, you will see many tricky shots from Chen. There was a large crowd to watch this match. After the match, Chen was surrounded by the crowd who wanted pictures and autograph. I approached Paul to thank for the match, but he was so frustrated, and has not spoken to anyone and left.
Chen Weixing was tired of answering about the equipment he uses to many people who have surrounded him after the game. Here is the data to help you. Chen Weixing uses Joola Chen Weixing blade with Joola Drum CWX on his forehand and TSP Curl P1R – he also uses Joola Octopus. He speed glue his forehand rubber.
I have met some players who have great interest in XIOM products. Many of them have concern about the glue ban and what they would use after the ban - the XIOM Omega Series will help many such players.
US Open Table Tennis 2008 rocks! There will be more excitement today and tomorrow.