Continuing with highlighting our USA players, let’s look back on the historic match between Kanak Jha of the USA and Lin Yun Ju of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)!

USA’s Second YOG Medal

Recently, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun Ju has been making headlines, beating Chinese legends Ma Long and Fan Zhendong on a number of occasions. However, in 2018, there was a clear disparity between his level then and now. In this particular match, we see Kanak Jha being able to return simply everything Lin threw at him in the first half of the match.

In Game 1, the variation of spin, placement, and speed of Lin disturbed the steady style of Kanak. Kanak prefers to block his opponents out of position before engaging in his own attacking strokes. This style is often nullified by change in speed and spin, as predicting the type of shot coming in became much harder for Kanak. Game 1 was a poor start for the American.

Then, perhaps, was it the hunger for America’s second YOG table tennis bronze medal that encouraged him in the next three games?

Kanak Jha Finds Answers, Lin falters.

After losing game 1, Kanak went on to win games 2-4. We are really able to see how Kanak was ready for Lin’s attacks. He was steadfast on the backhand, content with putting the ball on the table. Lin could not penetrate the wall Kanak built.

However, giving Kanak all the credit would be somewhat inaccurate. Lin Yun Ju also played a part in his own loss. As mentioned earlier, Lin’s main strength is his ability to vary spin, speed, and placement. In games 2-4, I saw almost none of this. Lin began playing almost exclusively to Kanak’s backhand, only moving to the forehand at the most predictable times. Lin forgoed the fast handcuffing serves he used to dominate in the game 1. It felt as if Lin felt as if he could simply overpower Kanak, but that isn’t Lin’s game, but it played right into Kanak’s.

Lin’s Variation Returns

Now up 3-1. USA fans must have been excited to see their star player so close to victory.

Unfortunately, Lin had other ideas.

Lin began to vary the spin on his backhand, sometimes going for speed, but others going for heavy rotation. He completely changed the spin on the ball during the short game, sometimes leaving the ball dead, sometimes adding sidespin.

Kanak Jha could not simply block anymore. More and more Kanak was forced to attack early. If he pushed back the short receive, he couldn’t predict the placement from Lin on the attack. If he tried to counterattack, the pace of Lin’s ball led to an uncomfortable position. Kanak needed to have more confidence in his opening shot. Kanak needed to open the ball with purpose, not power. Lin Yun Ju took Kanak off his game in games 5 and 6, leading to an ultimate game 7.

As Close as it Gets

Game 7 was a complete see-saw. No player ever had a true advantage in this game. Lin, in my opinion, defaulted back to the game style that lost him games 2-4, the style that played right into Kanak’s strengths. The difference, however, is that Kanak was visibly nervous. The young American player made many more errors than he did in games 2-4.

However, in the end, Lin could not find the power to overcome Jha’s consistent play, and thus the match ended in an 11-9, 4-3 victory for the players representing the stripes and stars.

Final Thoughts

Lin Yun Ju has actually already fixed everything I would have pointed out. He has more confidence in his short game, backhand attacks, and overall spin variation and consistency. He is now without a doubt one of the strongest players in the world.

Kanak must find more confidence in his opening attacks. If not in power, then in spin and placement. If Kanak had a more threatening opening attack, I believe this match would have been much easier due to his consistency in the rally.

Overall, a wonderful performance from USA’s Kanak Jha!