Coach Samson Dubina US National Team Coach 4x USATT Coach of the Year
 

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Wang Zhen's Experience

Read a Coaching Tip From a Player Rated 2815

I asked Wang Zhen if he had any thoughts to share with us about his recent match against Fan Zhendong at the ITTF Grand Finals.  Here is what Wang says...
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BreKhWaa5ZY
 
Let's talk about the match. Before the match Dejan (my coach for the match) helped me to analyze Fan's game, we both agreed I need to be more aggressive then usual, otherwise I won't have any chance to challenge him with my regular performance.
First set we both started testing each other,  and I had many easy mistakes by enforcing my aggressive tactics.
From the second set, I was more used do it with his ball and tactics. But I was regrettably lost by leading 10-8.
Third set, I came back from 4-9 down by his low concentration and some high quality shots from me.
I have to admit that I got a lot of lucky balls in the forth set to secure the set.
In the first 4 sets, I really feel I was winning more in backhand rallys.
After I lost 2 sets straight down 11-5 and 11-4. From the score, it looks I didn't have much chance. Actually even Dejan said the real game was more intensive than the scores. In the 5th set I was leading 4-2, I was ready to attack the ball after my serve, as you can see from the video, I already opened my arm. Unfortunately,  his lucky ball broke my plan. I feel the key set was the 5th. When I watched my video and think back, he started to put effort to make risky shot in the 5th set. At that time I was not able to keep taking risky shot which I should. And the more he's winning the points,  he feels more comfortable and I couldn't keep it up with him at the end.
This is what I feel about the match, hopefully it will be helpful for you.

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