PRESS RELEASES:

October 15, 2000:

OCTOBER 14, 2000:

OCTOBER 13, 2000

OCTOBER 12, 2000

 

THE LARGER BALL - "IT WILL BE GOOD FOR TABLE TENNIS" (JEAN-MICHEL SAIVE)

Yangzhou 15 October 2000

After the World Cup in Yanzhou, China, Jean-Michel Saive and Jörgen Persson offered their take on the 40mm ball:

JEAN-MICHEL SAIVE:
"It is natural that the players right now are not happy with the new and slower ball. The quality of the balls is not good enough yet, and you could for sure discuss the timing, starting with the new ball so soon after the Olympics. Right now of course when you play bad you blame the ball. But in the long run I think that it will be good for table tennis."

"We still see players make good services and then kill the ball like before, but when the players go into longer rallies there is a difference. It is easier to make topspin on topspin and it is more difficult to finish the point because of the slower ball. And it is the long rallies that make table tennis popular."

 

JÖRGEN PERSSON

"The fact that we all (Person, Karlsson and Waldner) lost at the World Cup does not mean that we do not have any chances any more. Now we will go home and practice more with the new ball. We will make some experiments with our game, it could be that it is a good idea changing some techniques because of the bigger and slower ball. But I do not want to be more specific. It could be, that we arrive to the World Championships in Osaka with some "weapons" that we don't want the Chinese to know about".

"I think the new ball will be a good thing for table tennis, but we need time. Do not forget that I have been playing with the old ball for 27 years.

 

PRESS RELEASE - OCTOBER 15, 2000

No Broken Legs After The First Step

Yangzhou, 15 October 2000

This weekend was crucial for table tennis taking the first step into the future. The Men's World Cup in Yangzhou, China, was the first international tournament officially being played with the new and bigger ball.

ITTF decided to increase the size of the ball from 38 to 40 mm. Only 2 mm, but 2 mm that are decreasing the speed 4-8 pct. and the spin 10-13 pct.

Of course the idea is that with a slower ball, the rallies between players will be longer and more spectacular. And the World Cup showed that to some degree this is exactly what will happen.

"Still many rallies stop before they become rallies, because players with a good service can often kill the ball the second time they hit it", says Jean-Michel Saive (BEL), nr. 13 on the World Ranking and semi finalist at the World Cup.

"But once the ball got in play we saw beautiful long rallies at this World Cup. It is easier to make topspin on topspin with the new ball, and it is much more difficult to finish the point, because your opponent has more time to get in position"

We must have the ball in play

Zoran Primorac from Croatia agrees, but he thinks that there is a problem with the service.

"As long as the umpires do not stop players shielding the ball with their body when they make the service so that their opponent cannot see what is happening, it will still happen too often that the server can kill the ball the second time he hits it. We have to make regulations and respect them so that the receiver can see what is happening. If he is able to return the service well then the ball is in play, and then we'll see the advantage of the bigger ball".

Primorac at the World Cup lost to Jean-Michel Saive (BEL) in the quarterfinal. The two are training partners.

"We know each other and we have no problems returning each others services. Therefore it was a good game with long rallies, and you could see the advantage of the bigger ball", says Primorac.

The quality is too bad

Also the World Nr. 3, Vladimir Samsonov (BLR) welcomes the new ball.

"It is good for the game, but players are not happy that the change came so soon. Right now we have a problem with the quality of the balls. There are too big a difference from one ball to the other, and you cannot rely on the bounce of the ball", says Samsonov.

Being more difficult to finish the point because the ball is slower, already at the World Cup it was obvious that the innovative player wins the long rallies.

"It could be that the new ball also requires some new techniques", says Team World Champion Jörgen Persson (SWE).

"But first of all we need some more time. Do not forget that I have been playing with the 38 mm ball for 27 years.

More changes

The bigger ball could be only one of several future steps to change table tennis. At the Olympics table tennis was presenting tables in a new futuristic design and the field of play was said to be on of the nicest at the Olympics.

At the end of the month another experiment is presented. At the Italian Pro Tour in Courmayeur each game will be played only to 11 instead of the traditional 21 points. Then the matches will be played best out of 7 games instead of the traditional 5.

This system is expected to give more crucial points and decisive moments during the game.

"Unfortunately table tennis has not been modernized enough during the last 20 years", says the President of the ITTF, Mr. Adham Sharara.

"The trend I think now is for shorter matches and better viewership for the TV-spectators. A sport that is not ready to change is doomed to failure".

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For more information please contact:

For more information please contact:
Peter Jensen, Media & Communications Manager,
International Table Tennis Federation,
Avenue Mon Repos 30, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 340 70 90, Fax : +41 21 340 70 99
E-mail: pjensen@ittf.ch

 

PRESS RELEASE - OCTOBER 15, 2000

THE SUBSTITUTE WON

Yangzhou 15 October 2000

How can you start crying when you just won 44.000 US Dollars? Ma Lin (CHN) did after winning the Men's World Cup in Yangzhou, China, steamrolling Kim Taek Soo (KOR) 21-10, 21-13, 21-9.

Perhaps Ma Lin felt he had to prove, something after his fellow country men Kong Linghui, Wang Liqin, Liu Guoliang and Liu Guozheng came back from the Olympics loaded with gold and silver medals.

Ma Lin was the only player participating at the World Cup that did not go to Sydney. So to be fair to the others it should be mentioned, that he was the only one having the chance to play with the new 40 mm ball for a longer period. The fact that Liu Guoliang pulled out of the World Cup due to a reported injury, therefore was very convenient for Ma Lin who was the next to be chosen from the World Ranking.

Kim Taek Soo also had been playing very well during the World Cup but in the final Ma Lin took away all the strength and the speed from the Koreans game.

"Today I could not at all read Ma Lin's services and it made it impossible to find my game and get into attack", says Kim Taek Soo (KOR).

Ma Lin was also very precise:

"I did a good job today". It was worth 44.000 US Dollars. Kim Taek Soo had to settle for 22.000 US Dollars.

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For more information please contact:

For more information please contact:
Peter Jensen, Media & Communications Manager,
International Table Tennis Federation,
Avenue Mon Repos 30, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 340 70 90, Fax : +41 21 340 70 99
E-mail: pjensen@ittf.ch

 

PRIZE MONEY WORTH PLAYING FOR

Yangzhou 15 October 2000

Normally all athletes loosing a semifinal have difficulties motivating themselves to play for the third place. But Jean-Michel Saive (BEL) and Wang Liqin (CHN) put up at dogs fight at the Men's World Cup in Yangzhou, China.

Perhaps it was the prize money - the 3rd prize was 15.000 US Dollars and 5.000 more than the 4th prize. Perhaps it was the fact, that Jean-Michel Saive for the first time for a long time had the chance to make a good result.

Anyway he came out determined in the first game preventing Wang Liqin from making his power play working. Saive was clever constantly changing speed and spin, and only when he was up 20-15 he started hesitating. Wang Liqin went to 20-19 before Saive finally took the game.

Wang Liqin learnt from that. In the 2nd game the Chinese forced Saive to move from side to side. Without having time to get in position Saive was forced to reduce speed and spin - which forced Wang to increase his tempo. The result was an easy game win 21-13 to Wang.

Saive, had a good start in the last game being up 4-1, 7-3. Wang Liqin winning the next point after a long spectacular rally seemed to change the game. Wang Liqin tied at 10-10. From then on Wang Liqin was in charge and he took the 3rd game and the match 21-16.

"It was the closest I have ever been to beat Wang Liqin, so of course I am disappointed. As long as he had difficulties with my services, I was in charge. Unfortunately it was bad timing for me. At the end of the last game he was receiving very well - and I lost", says Jean-Michel Saive, though going back to Beligum with 10.000 US Dollars.

 

PRESS RELEASE - OCTOBER 14, 2000

MA LIN JOINS KIM TAEK SOO IN THE FINALS OF THE MEN'S WORLD CUP 2000

Yangzhou 14 October 2000

The semifinal in the Men's World Cup, Yangzhou, China, was a one way road for Kim Taek Soo (KOR). He met Jean-Michel Saive (BEL) and it was Kim Taek Soo controlling everything.

Tim Taek Soo is playing with a pen hold grip, a grip that normally makes it difficult to be aggressive with the back hand, but Kim does not obey physical laws. Against Saive he several times presented a devastating backhand attack leaving Saive without chances.

Regarding that also Kim Taek Soo's forehand topspin has really been impressing during the tournament, the Korean could be the one to bet on in this World Cup. In any case there will be no more bets on Saive. He lost in three straight games.

"It was very simple - I was just not playing good enough. Loosing the first game I was still thinking that I could win, because Kim did not win the points, I lost them by making mistakes. But I could not improve my game, not tonight", says Jean-Michel Saive.

The other semifinal was a Chinese matter. The Olympic Doubles gold winner Wang Liqin met Ma Lin. Ma Lin was not in Sydney. So while the other top players were fighting for medals Ma Lin could practice with the new 40 mm ball.

During the World Cup he has been very confident with his game, and when his good service brings him into attack his opponents have no answers.

Ma Lin took three games in a row without major problems.

Kim Taek Soo (KOR)-Jean-Michel Saive (BEL) 21-13, 21-13, 21-15.

Ma Lin (CHN)-Wang Liqin (CHN) 21-17, 21-14, 21-14

For more information please contact:
Peter Jensen, Media & Communications Manager,
International Table Tennis Federation,
Avenue Mon Repos 30, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 340 70 90, Fax : +41 21 340 70 99
E-mail: pjensen@ittf.ch

 

PRESS RELEASE - OCTOBER 14, 2000

Wang Liqin secures Chines Semi Finals Matchup

Yangzhou 14 October 2000

The last quarterfinal in the Men's World Cup in Yangzhou, China, was between the Olympic doubles goldwinner Wang Liqin (CHN) and Chiang Peng-Lung (TPE).

Right from the beginning Wang Liqin was in charge forcing Chiang Peng-Lung to go backwards.

It gave Wang an easy first game 21-14, but in the second game starting to miss his opportunities the Chinese opened the door for Chiang who accepted the invitation and tied the match 1-1.

In the third game Wang was back on track winning 21-14.

The fourth game was close, and now also Wang sometimes had to step backwards and leave the initiative to Chiang. The game was even all the way to 20-20. Wang Liqin had a match ball at 21-20, but he needed a second one to win the game and the match 23-21.

Wang Liqin (CHN)-Chiang Peng-Lung (TPE) 21-14, 17-21, 21-14, 23-21

 

For more information please contact:
Peter Jensen, Media & Communications Manager,
International Table Tennis Federation,
Avenue Mon Repos 30, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 340 70 90, Fax : +41 21 340 70 99
E-mail: pjensen@ittf.ch

 

PRESS RELEASE - OCTOBER 13, 2000

The Swedes Didn't Make It

Yangzhou, 13 October 2000

Since Peter Karlsson (SWE) lost to Kim Taek Soo in their quarterfinal Jörgen Persson was the last to defend the Swedish colours at the Men's World Cup in Yangzhou, China.

Persson was meeting Ma Lin (CHN) who entered the event only because Liu Guoliang was injured.

Ma Lin did not go to the Olympics so he had the chance to start earlier practising with the new and bigger ball. And Ma Lins game was working well against the experienced Swede.

Ma Lin won the first game easily, but in the second Persson found his rhythm and then he is a difficult opponent. Persson took the game 21-19.

But after that Persson had difficulties in catching Ma Lins services, and it gave the Chinese the opportunity to attack with his powerful long line topspin.

Persson never really found an answer to that, and had to leave the tournament as the last Swede.

"The fact that we are all out does not mean that we have no chance against the Chinese. Now we will go home and prepare well for the World Championships, perhaps finding new techniques playing with the bigger ball. It could be that we come up with some surprises for the Chinese", says Persson.

Ma Lin (CHN)-Jörgen Persson (SWE) 21-15, 19-21, 21-11, 21-17

 

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For more information please contact:

Peter Jensen, Media & Communications Manager,
International Table Tennis Federation,
Avenue Mon Repos 30, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 340 70 90, Fax : +41 21 340 70 99
E-mail: pjensen@ittf.ch

 

PRESS RELEASE - OCTOBER 13, 2000

Kim Taek Soo Was Too Strong

Yangzhou, 14 October 2000

The Korean Kim Taek Soo was too strong for the European Champion Peter Karlsson (SWE) in the quarterfinal in the Men's World Cup in Yangzhou, China, Kim came out as a lion I the first two games. With his speed and his powerful forehand he left no chances for Peter Karlsson.

In the third game the European Champion came back. The rallies became a little slower, and that gave Karlsson the chance to play his powerful topspin. In a moment he was up 10-5, and he won the game 21-14.

But from the beginning of the fourth game it looked like Kim had just been taking a break. Again he was on the top not giving Karlsson time to get in position, and he pretty easily won the game and the match to go to the semifinals.

Kim Taek Soo (KOR)- Peter Karlsson (SWE) 21-16, 21-17, 14-21, 21-15

For more information please contact:

Peter Jensen, Media & Communications Manager,
International Table Tennis Federation,
Avenue Mon Repos 30, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 340 70 90, Fax : +41 21 340 70 99
E-mail: pjensen@ittf.ch

 

PRESS RELEASE - OCTOBER 13, 2000

Between Friends

Yangzhou, 14 October 2000

The first quarterfinal at the Men's World Cup was a match between two players knowing each other very well.

Zoran Primorac (CRO) and Jean-Michel Saive (BEL) are both playing for Charleroi Villette, Belgium, so they are used to each others way of playing. In a match between training partners everything can happen. Zoran Primorac was performing very well in his group. He seemed to feel confident about the new and bigger ball beating Kong Linghui (CHN) and Chiang Peng-Lung (TPE).

In the quarterfinal against Jean-Michel Saive things got a little bit more difficult. Saive was leading through the first game but Primorac kept the pressure on Saive and came back to 15-15 to take the game 21-17.

Also in the second game Saive took the lead and this time Primorac looked less determined. His aggressiveness was gone, and he could not stop Saive from winning 21-14.

The third game was very close both players showing excellent performance Long outstanding rallies was proving that the bigger and slower ball makes it more difficult to finish the point. Strenth is no longer enough, you have to be innovative to win the point. From 18-18 Saive was the most innovative taking the last three points to win the game 21-18.

And that game proved to be crucial. In the fourth game Primorac's rhythm was gone, and his confidence was fading away. Saive went to 20-16, and on the second match ball it was all over for Primorac.

"I had my chances but I did not use them. Leading 18-14 in the third game I should have won, and that game was crucial", says Zoran Primorac. "We played a lot of good points, and I am very happy being in the semifinals. It has been a while since I had a good result, now it could be the time for me", says Jean-Michel Saive.

 

PRESS RELEASE - OCTOBER 13, 2000

The Decline of the Favourites

Yangzhou 13. 10. 2000

The Olympic Champion, Kong Linghui, (CHN), missed out, the Olympic silver medallist Jan-Ove Waldner, (SWE), lost his two first matches, and the title holder, Vladimir Samsonov (BLR) is also now just another tourist in China.

The Men's World Cup in Yangzhou, China, is open for a new name on the top, with the quarterfinals and the semifinals being played on Saturday.

Kong Linghui on Friday won his last match against Hugo Hoyama (BRA), but that was his only win in his group, and so the Chinese Chiang Peng-Lung (TPE) and Zoran Primorac (CRO) will advance to the quarterfinals.

"Of course in my heart I never want to give up any tournament in advance, but I did not start training with the new 40 mm ball before I came to Yangzhou", says Kong. "Hopefully in a month I will be used to the new ball. It is a big change, but I do not think it will change the world top. It will be the same names in the top of the world ranking".

Also Jan-Ove Waldner (SWE) and Vladimir Samsonov (BLR) were playing their last match today knowing that a victory would not be enough to bring them into the quarterfinals.

It could still be a Chinese-Swedish confrontation like at the Olympics. Peter Karlsson and Jörgen Persson and Wang Liqin and Ma Lin are still there - Ma Lin having entered the event only because Liu Guoliang is injured.

In Group B the last match this evening decided who should continue in the tournament. Werner Schlager (AUT) and Jean-Michel Saive (BEL) met to decide who should advance to the quarterfinals together with Wang Liqin (CHN) and Jean-Michel Saive became the one to proceed. He beat the Austrian 2-0.

PRESS RELEASE • OCTOBER 12, 2000

Olympic Gold Does Not Ensure Success

Lausanne (12 October 2000) - Kong Linghui had an excellent performance at the Olympics, winning gold in singles and silver in doubles.

At his first match at the Men's World Cup in Yangzhou, China, Kong did not look like an Olympic Champion against Zoran Primorac, Croatia. Kong's game just could not work, and he shook his head every time he had to surrender to the strong topspin from Primorac.

Kong only took 9 points in the first game. In the second game it did not get much better. Kong was down 15-9, recovered to 16-12, but Primorac did not give Kong many opportunities, and almost before anybody noticed the match was over.

"Coming here as an Olympic Champion, he probably was under a bigger pressure than me. I tried to change my service a little bit, and it worked" says Zoran Primorac.

The Olympic Champion also lost his second match in his group against Chiang Peng-Lung, and Kong will probably not advance to the quarterfinals.

Since he had the gold medal around his neck he did not have much time to practice because of celebrations. So he was not surprised, that the World Cup did not become another success.

"I did not start practising with the new ball before I arrived to Yangzhou", says Kong.

A Swedish match

Also the Sydney silver medallist, Jan-Ove Waldner, Sweden, lost his first match. At the other end of the table was his fellow country man, the European Champion, Peter Karlsson, and they played a very close match. Waldner took the first game 23-21. The second was as close, but with Karlsson as the winner. It looked like the underdog Karlsson had an advantage knowing the habits of Waldner. The European Champion won the third game and the match 21-18.

In his second match of the day Waldner lost to Ma Lin, China, and very likely Waldner will stay behind, while Ma Lin and Peter Karlsson will advance from the group.

The defending World Cup holder Vladimir Samsonov also met trouble. He lost a close match to Kim Taek Soo (KOR), and against Jörgen Persson (SWE) he was without chances in the third game, loosing 21-12.

The Men's World Cup is a tournament with all the continental champions and the best players from the ITTF World Ranking. It is the first international tournament played with the new and bigger ball, now 40 millimeter in diameter instead of 38.

"I think the bigger ball is a good idea in the long run, but right now it is difficult because we only had two weeks to train with the 40 mm ball after the Olympics" says Werner Schlager, Austria. "Sometimes the bounce of the ball really surprises you. I think it is also a question of the quality of the balls, it has to be improved".

Also Jörgen Persson (SWE) welcomes the new ball.

"But it is difficult for us to adjust. Do not forget, that I have been playing with the "old" ball for 27 years" says Persson.

 

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For more information please contact:
Peter Jensen, Media & Communications Manager,
International Table Tennis Federation,
Avenue Mon Repos 30, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 340 70 90, Fax : +41 21 340 70 99
E-mail: pjensen@ittf.ch