Robo-Pong the Table Tennis

Robot @ Newgy.com

Stiga Open

Newark, Delaware
June 15-16, 2002
By Alan Williams

For the second time in less than 10 months, the STIGA North American Tour landed at the Bob Carpenter Sports Building at the University of Delaware in Newark. Triangulating the Table Tennis hotbeds of Washington, Philadelphia and NY/NJ, and staffed by enthusiastic and helpful UD employees, the venue has been one of more successful in the three years of Tour operation.

The hall was readied on Friday night with 25 new STIGA tables. “Are the tables all the same?” asked Top U.S. seed David Zhuang. “Good!” was his response when told that all of them had identical tops. Apparently a matched set was of some importance. Later in the weekend, David would play one of the most exciting matches of the 2002 Tour, and it was nice to know that conditions would be a non-factor.

It was also nice to have the support of the 150 participants and the volunteer services of Larry Bavly, Andre Scott, Richard McAfee and Larry Hodges, who umpired matches from the Quarterfinals on in Open Singles. Richard was especially active during the tournament, as a player, a coach and an official! What’s next, Richard? Working the concession stand?

With the support of sponsor Table Tennis Pioneers, who manned the retail booth, NATT staff and Tournament Ref Terry Bell finished the tournament set-up and prepared to welcome a top field that included two newcomers to the NA Tour, Thomas Keinath and Stefan Feth, both recent Semifinalists in the German Nationals. Coupled with the late withdrawal of Western Open Champ Fan Yi Yong, their presence left the Open Singles Title up for grabs.

With great pleasure, we saw the return of two well-traveled American favorites, Lim Ming Chui and Richard McAfee. They met in the semifinals of the Over 50 event, where a beaming McAfee prevailed. Parvis Mojaverian then bested McAfee to take the category, but that couldn’t erase Richard’s pleasure at his performance. Chui and his doubles partner, Marius Wechsler, then eliminated McAfee and Allison Ellis in U-4200 doubles on their way to finishing second to Ross Brown and Keith Evans.

Evan Momios also enjoyed a return visit to Delaware, where last fall he copped the U-1850 title. This time he took a step up and (4-1) beat the lanky Thomas Haynes for the honors in the U-2000. Likewise, NJ Junior Adam Hugh found a return to Delaware much to his liking. “Revenge!” he said. “The last two times I played De Tran and Han Xiao I lost. Not this time!” Adam’s victory over Han gave him the U-18 title (with Han getting his revenge in Under 22), and a final match with Andrew Anderson gave him U-2375 honors as well. Coupled with his advance to the Quarters in Open Singles, it was a good weekend for Lily and Barry’s son.

Happy warrior Val Ort, however, could not solve the two surface play of Morris Jackson, who held onto the U-2125 title, just a step down from the much-massaged Parvis Mojaverian, victor over Shawn Embleton in the U-2250. Preston Chin, with McAfee coaching, also made the most of the Delaware trip, coming first in both the U-10 and U-13 Boys groups, with consolidating victories over Kevin Ma and Marcus Jackson (a 4-3 nailbiter). Eric Finkelstein brought the U-16 title northward when he defeated Sergey Vakhrusheva (4-1). JHU team member Arnie Stux also conquered a category, taking the U-1550 title home with him.

But the big prizes were in Open Singles. Four qualifiers made it through to do battle with the Top 12 seeds in the Second Stage Round Robin.

Group 1: Thomas Keinath, Shao Yu, Jiachen Wang, Han Xiao

Jia Wang managed to edge out Han Xiao in a tight contest, 4-3 (-10,10,10,8,-8,-8,6) and was only able to take two games from Shao Yu. When Wang met Keinath, we got a taste of the German’s skill as he prevailed (7,6,7,7). Han lost to Shao 4-1, and also managed a game from Keinath, but, at 0-3, came last in the group.

With second place in his pocket, Shao met Keinath and gave Thomas the only real trouble he faced. Each time Keinath seemed to have solved Shao’s unorthodox backhand, he fell victim to it again, and when he trailed 3-1 in the best of seven was in serious trouble. But (2,8,6) he turned up the gas and captured the #1 position for Sunday’s Quarters.

Group 2: Pradeeban Peter-Paul, Tahl Leibovitz, Lily Yip, Michael Hyatt

Praddie lost only one game in a strong showing, his initial game to Lily, leaving the closely matched trio to fight it out for second seed. Lily hung a second loss on Hyatt with an 8 in the 7th victory, but lost a titanic struggle to Tahl (8,-11,9,-13,8,9) in which it was all Tahl could do to stay with Lily’s strong attack. Tahl grabbed the second advancing spot by avenging his loss in the U-2500 final to Michael, (10,9,-11,-7,2,6) with a focused finish.

Group 3: David Zhuang, Jim Butler, Renata Peluchova, Keith Evans

David dropped a pair of games to Butler, but was otherwise perfect in justifying his top seed. Butler, bothered by the airflow in the hall, requested and got a change of tables to finish his work against Renata (4,12,5,-10,4) and Keith Evans (-9,6,7,5,6). Renata, the STIGA Open Women’s Champion, has lifted her game this past year, as Keith Evans can verify (11,-6,9,9,9). David and Jim advance, as expected.

Group 4: Stefan Feth, Atanda Musa, Qasim Aziz, Adam Hugh

Expectations here were dashed when Musa was a no-show! That left the other three men 1-0 and increased the pressure in a game of musical chairs that had two seats and three players. Feth, the German star, had no trouble with either of the Americans, with nearly interchangeable scores (4,5,5,8) and (4,6,4,7). He showed both what ITTF level table tennis is about in a remarkable display of poise and ball skill. So now Qasim and Adam would slug it out for the trip to the Quarters and slug it out is what they did! Adam became our youngest Quarterfinalist in a hot contest, (-8,6,7,-11,-3,11,8), that he pulled out from a 3-2 deficit.

Quarterfinals

Stefan Feth vs. Jim Butler

This was a great match, as expected. Despite being in Delaware, Jim, a Texan, was in front of “the home folks” as he parents cheered him on, along with a crowd loyal to the American Champion. But Feth took the first game of the best of nine, 11-9. Jim broke back, 11-7 in the second, with a particularly effective service game. But it was the energized Stefan in the third contest, 11-5. “Man!” a spectator standing next to me said, “that boy hits the ball ... HARD!” Indeed he does, and he was unafraid to go backhand to backhand with Butler, whose second shot, while looking identical to me, often found the bottom of the net. Leading 10-8 in the fourth game, Butler appeared to be in the driver’s seat, but, Deuce! came out on the short end of 14-12. A back-breaker? It certainly looked like it might be when a 10-7 Butler’s lead melted away in the fifth game. But mental strength is part of a Champion’s equipment, and Butler avoided a double disaster, 16-14 in a fist-pumping victory. The crowd momentum behind him, he tied the match at 3-all, 11-9. But Feth was equally determined, and, perhaps, had just a little more gas left in his tank as 6 and 5, we took the final two games to win 5-3. An awful lot of work for JB to earn the $60 Quarterfinal cash, but a rare opportunity to match up with a rising young European here in America. A smiling Butler quickly shook off his defeat and declared that he was on board the Tour for the duration. “I will be in New Jersey in July,” he smiled.

David Zhuang vs. Tahl Leibovitz

Held no such drama as Tahl attempted to match up with the Pan-Am Gold Medallist. Five straight games to Zhuang, (8,7,3,9,8) and despite the best fight the New Yorker could manage, an advance for the penholder. Tahl struggled to contain David’s attack, especially off serve, and did not seem to be able to take DZ out of his game with either spin or placement. Clearly disappointed, Tahl may not have noticed some of the best play we’ve seen from David in the past year.

Pradeeban Peter-Paul vs. Shao Yu

Praddie has made visible strides since I first saw him on the STIGA Tour in 2001. He no longer has a questioning look in his eyes, and exudes a warrior’s confidence in both his skills and his decisions. But Shao Yu is a different kind of cat. Forget his rating! When he is hot and focused, his game matches anyone on the continent. Maintaining that focus seems to be a problem, however. It was always close, but no cigar for Shao, as Peter-Paul earns his Semi-Finalist spot, (8,-8,7,10,9,11) with a 5-1 victory that was a squeaker!

Thomas Keinath vs. Adam Hugh

The glare of center stage in a big match on “home turf” for the teenager, but an uphill battle against the amazing skills of Keinath. Frankly, Keinath toyed with Adam in containing his attack, often lobbing from the barriers against repeated smashes. All of which fired Adam up even more, made him more determined to show that his power could penetrate ... which may have been exactly the emotional reaction that Thomas was hoping for. (7,8,6,4,7) for Keinath, who seemed to have hardly exerted. Adam’s day will come, but not here.

Semifinals

Stefan Feth vs. Pradeeban Peter-Paul

There was a three-to-one differential in the prize money for the winner and loser in this match, with the Semi-Finalist to receive $250, while the winner could do no worse than the $750 runner-up cash. Pretty hefty incentive! Peter-Paul was grimly determined to be on the right side of that equation. After dropping a deuce game to start the match, he went up 2 games to 1 by impressive scores of 8 and 3! But Stefan Feth is a player, ladies and gentlemen, and he adjusted, his already wide-breaking loop taking on even more arc, and a sharper break as he ran Pradeeban deeper and deeper into the backcourt. Feth does as expected and staves off the upset, 5-2, (10,-8,-3,7,4,4,8).

Thomas Keinath vs. David Zhuang

This match was the highlight of the tournament. Keinath, supported by a small but vocal following from the Spintech club, expected to advance past the older player. David, the “Wizard of Westfield,” entered the court prepared to show his best game with all eyes upon him. They started with a nailbiter, Keinath winning 16-14 as he struggled to adapt to David’s high-toss serves. But each passing point saw him become more comfortable with David’s blocking game and DZ’s forehand kills were erratic as Keinath surged to an insurmountable 4-1 lead, dropping only the fourth game and winning the fifth by a discouraging 11-5 score. But David digs in and unbelievably climbs back into the match ... 13-11, 11-8, 11-8 and it is four games apiece. The crowd noise grows with each passing point as the opponent that he had so well understood just moments before now baffles Keinath. Finally, the players are tied at 6-all in the ninth, and the STIGA Open is rocking and rolling with the excitement. The next point is a bang-bang-bang exchange of power shots, with David refusing to yield, and winning the seven or eight kill encounter. He carries that momentum to a 10-8 lead, ball in hand.

High-toss serve, short wide to Keinath’s backhand, a return to DZ’s forehand and ... long. 10-9. High toss, short to Keinath’s forehand and he courageously table-loops it through David’s forehand corner for deuce. Amazing. Thomas makes it four straight points after being down double match point. (14,8,7,-9,5,-11,-8,-8,10)

Keinath has earned the right to meet his practice partner in the Final. David, characteristically, shakes off the loss in short order. Walking from the hall with Shao Yu, David is all smiles. “Thank you for the great tournament!” he calls out, waving and laughing. No, David. Thank you.

Final

Thomas Keinath vs. Stefan Feth

Not entirely unexpected that the teammates meet in the Final. They have proven themselves to be the two best players at the STIGA Open. But in all honesty, the crowd has lost interest with the local hero’s defeat, and a shrinking number of spectators remain to see a competition between practice partners. It is technically perfect, but without the interest of an American involved, without a stylistic contrast, it is an anti-climax. The two mirror image Germans play an honest match to diminishing applause, Keinath edging out his stablemate, Feth, 5 games to 3. As expected. (11,-8,6,-9,6,8,-9,9)

Feth and Keinath tell us that the payday is good money, even by Euro club standards, and that they hope to be in the U.S. throughout the rest of 2002 with only sporadic trips home to keep their visas valid. It’s news we welcome from these two great players. For the second straight tournament, the North American Tour has attracted International players who vow to keep returning for future events. That’s a good thing, right?

For the staff and organizers is back to the loading dock and forward to the Eastern Open in New Jersey, a labor of love for the sport on the 2002 STIGA North American Tour.

Open Singles: Thomas Keinath d. Stefan Feth, 5-3 (11,-8,6,-9,6,8,-9,9); SF: Keinath d. David Zhuang, 5-4 (14,8,7,-9,5,-11,-8,-8,10); Feth d. Pradeeban Peter-Paul, 5-2 (10,-8,-3,7,4,4,8); QF: Keinath d. Adam Hugh, 5-0 (7,8,6,4,7); Feth d. Jim Butler, 5-3 (9,-7,5,12,-16,-9,6,5); Zhuang d. Tahl Leibovitz, 5-0 (8,7,3,9,8); Peter-Paul d. Shao Yu, 5-1 (8,-8,7,10,9,11).

Women’s Singles: Renata Peluchova d. Lily Yip, 4-2 (2,4,-8,6,-9,8).

Under 22 Men: Han Xiao d. Jia Wang, 4-2 (6,8,-9,6,-6,10).

Under 18 Boys: 1^st Adam Hugh; 2^nd Han Xiao.

Under 16 Boys: Eric Finkelstein d. Sergey Vakhrusheva, 4-1 (10,8,6,-9,12)

Under 13 Boys: Preston Chin d. Marcus Jackson: 4-3 (5,8,-8,-10,-7,16,4).

Under 10 Boys: 1^st Preston Chin; 2^nd Kevin Ma.

Under 16 Girls Champion: Cindy Li.

Under 13 Girls Champion: Jill Hackney.

Under 10 Girls Champion: Jill Hackney.

Over 40: Keith Evans d. Barry Dattel, 4-2 (9,-4,9,-7,9,7).

Over 50: Parvis Mojaverian d. Richard McAfee, 4-1 (9,4,12,-9,7).

U2500: Michael Hyatt d. Tahl Leibovitz, 4-3 (7,-10,12,-8,-7,4,4).