2011 US Open

2011 US OPEN
HOLD THE
PRESSES
by Sean O’Neill
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin
Thomas Keinath and Nai Hui
Liu Win US Open Singles Events.
The Frontier Airlines Center in Milwaukee witnessed its
own share of fireworks this
Independence Day thanks to
an international field of 24
countries. Men’s top seed
Thomas Keinath of Slovakia
leapfrogged the competition
while unseeded Nai Hui Liu
displayed her own bottle
rocket backhand attacks
on the women’s side.
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USA TABLE TENNIS MAGAZINE • Jul/Aug 2011
* FULL COVERAGE OF THE 2011 US OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL
APPEAR IN THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF USA TABLE TENNIS MAGAZINE
A repeat of the 2009 US Open Final, #1 and #2 seeds Keinath
and Zhen “Eugene” Wang of British Columbia traded loops,
rips, and bombs for six action packed games. The first four
games were split with each decided by two points as neither
player could open up a substantial lead. Wang combined power and control as Keinath was relentless in his offense from
all points on the court. The intensity and pressure continue to
mount until the final point with Thomas providing his trademark handstand flip as the victor for his second US Open title.
Final scores: 13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7
Former Chinese National Team member and new resident
coach of the Lily Yip Table Tennis Center Nai Hui Liu smashed
the field to piece as an unseeded player required to qualify
from the prelims. After disposing of defending champion and
top-seeded Georgina Pota (Hungary) in the main draw Nai
reached the finals only dropping two games before beating
semi-seeded Jiaqi Zhen of The Top Spin/World Champions
Table Tennis Academy.
The contrast in penhold attacks could not have been bigger as
Liu relied on classic backhand kills up at the table, whereas
Jiaqi delivered reverse penhold backhand loops and smashes
from near and far. Jiaqi’s shot making was on fire as she led
two games to one, but Liu was deliberate with getting her first
attacks in on demand in the final three games.
Final scores: 11-6, 11-13, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6
A special highlight of the US Open was the
40th Anniversary of Ping-Pong Diplomacy
celebration. Veterans, juniors, and elites players renewed friendship and cooperation with a
series of exhibition matches at The Milwaukee
Art Museum and in the main playing arena after
the quarterfinals. Four-time Olympic Champion Zhang Yining took a break from her studies
at the University of Wisconsin to participate
in the festivities. After departing Milwaukee,
the delegation headed to the Bay area and then
Nixon libraries for final stops on the tour.
Photos of Thomas Keinath and Nai Hui Liu
by Steve Hopkins
USA TABLE TENNIS MAGAZINE • Jul/Aug 2011
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