Adam 13

Cheng 11

Comments by Tahl Leibovitz: 

Game 1 B.  Adam is not making enough spin on his opening shot.  Seems to be hitting the ball a bit too flat.  Maybe he is trying not to give too much spin.  It also seems Adam is worried about getting out of position.  Doesn't seem to be commiting to shots.

  Adam is trying to rally too much.  When he gets aggressive with his backhand or forehand, he has a better chance.  I don't see how its possible to beat chen just putting the ball on the table.  Adam is giving him too much time.  I would play the bal a bit faster and also earlier.  I also wouldn't be turning around and using my forehand as much.  Adam has a pretty good backhand, he shouldn't be turning.  Adam gives up the table way to easily.

Cheng 11

Adam 3

Comments by Tahl Leibovitz: 

Game 2B.  Adam need to be aggressive if he wants to reach the top level.  The style he plays will get him torn up in Europe.  you can't be blocking and rallying, expecting to win.  That is a losing game.  It can work here against some players because in the US we are known for our bad technique.  It won't work anywhere else.  Adam needs to get a short game, and needs to start attcking.  He needs Max rubber on both sides.  Shouldn't be using 2.0.  Thats a huge mistake.

Adam is giving up the table way to easily.  He should try to be playing his winning game.  He is a junior, he should be at the table, reguardless.  Even if he loses at zero every game.  I can see in this game he is moving back to easliy.  I don't know the scores of the rest of the match but, Adam has lost confidence.  rather than winning, he is trying not to lose.  Not a very good game plan. 

I think in conclusion, his mental preparation was bad.  In the first game he was rallying, which is still a losing game.  However, Chen is old and slow, still I don't see how you can win rallying with Chen.  Thne Adam made the mistake of going off the table time and time again.  You have to be mentally strong when you play good players.  You can't let them control the game.  You need a tactic that you will follow.  It seems Adam Crumbled mentally. 

In every match there is an open window.  You have to try and get through it before it closes.  The better the player the smaller the window is open and the faster it closes.  I still think Adam didn't go into the match with the right frame of mind.  If he did, he would have had one plan and stuck to it.  Too many different things going on in the match.  Poor planning, poor tactics and bad mental.  Also Adam should not be turning to use his forehand.

Cheng 13

Adam 11

Comments by Rob Trudell:

While I was there, I noticed Cheng was having problems with Adam's loops that were spinning into his forehand pocket.

Reply by Marco Borrillo:

Cheng always has problems on his forehand side (well, 2800 level problems).  His backhand side is way too strong.  His attack from the backhand side is still world class.  If I had to play him I would serve out long to his forehand and then keep attacking the forehand, especially with a lot of sidespin. 

Waiting for more commentary....

Cheng 11

Adam 6

Cheng 11

Adam 9

 http://www.usatt.org/events/2004nationals/day_three.shtml

Rob's note on Larry's write up: I saw Cheng talking with Adam's mother and coach, Lily Yip, after the match about the way Adam played -- I didn't see him talk to Adam.

Larry also writes "The rallies were extremely long and furious." which I agree there were a few, but I noticed many points ended quickly.