The 1998 Southern Open
Is this the best backhand in the world?
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The 1998 Southern Open
Is this the best backhand in the world?
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Most of the top male players in the US showed up to contest for the $6000 in prize money. There were 20 seperate events held on the 24 tables at the HTTC. While not as strong a field, the women's event was a re-entry into US competition for Roxanna (Kis) Subonj. In her first tournament since giving birth to her baby girl, Roxanna shook off the rust and dominated the event.
There were surprising upsets and some very near misses that could have changed the landscape of US table tennis. For example 1887 rated D.G. VanVooren defeated 2143 Bob Lu who was seeded in the under 2200s. Next it was a local player, Taju Oshodi, taking out the #4 seed (and US #8) Shao Yu from NY in the Men's event. Taju had recently been written off by all but one on the internet as no longer playing and not competitive. In the next round, US World Team member, Razvan Cretu found this difficult to believe as he had a tough 5 game victory coming from 2 games down. Oshodi showed flashes of brilliance in his play on Saturday.
Another local player, Niraj Oak, barely missed the next major upset as he had Maryland's Sean Lonergan (US #18) on the ropes before Sean found a way to outlast him in the 5 game marathon. All throughout the tournament there were big upsets. Clay Diehl defeating Ruben Coryat, Frances Chen beating Rashna Oak, HTTC's Hector Bennet knocking of California's Tuan Le, Viktor Subonj defeating Larry Hodges in hardbat using what was described later as "European style hardbat".
The Semi Finals were contested by 4 US Team members and the last 3 National Champions! Butler and Cheng quickly dispatched Cretu and David Zhuang in straight games. When it came to the Men's Finals between Jim Butler (who had a tough first round against Florida's Brian Pace) and 1997 National Champion Cheng Yinghua, the stage was set for yet another upset. When Jim dominated the first game it became apparent that this match would be special.
Yinghua was constantly dumbfounded by Butler's shots. Jim leaped to a 20 to 16 commanding lead. Cheng fought hard for the next 2 points. At 20-18, Cheng looped his return square into the bottom of the center of the net. Jim was up 2 games to none. But WAIT! The net curled around the vigorously top spinning ball. The ball flew up the net like a monkey climbing a tree. When it hit the net cord, it shot violently up about a foot and fell back again on the net.
This time however, it was on the top of the net. The spin caused the ball to fall off onto the other side, out of reach of the stunned Butler who could do nothing but reach out vainly. Cheng, seizing the moment, grabbed the next point to duece up the game. Jim seemed distracted while Cheng gained focus. He evened the match at a game a piece.
The 3rd game was again all Jim's. Cheng was frequently seen looking surprised and confused at Butler's choices. The rallies were hard fought with several going into high stroke counts. The competitors used the entire Olympic sized court. As the game neared its end, Cheng again began to creep back into contention. But, Jim's lead was too great.
However, somehow he got back to 18-20. At this point Cheng popped up a ball that was two feet high over the table and only about a foot away from the net on Jim's backhand side. Jim has what a great many believe is the best backhand in the world. He was in perfect position to the ball away. Unbelievably, he hit the top of the net with his shot and the ball sailed long. Niether he nor Cheng could believe it. Like the second game, the third mystically goes to Cheng at duece. The fourth was an anti-climax.
Instead of Jim sweeping Yinghua 3-0, Cheng somehow wins yet another major US title. Jim said, "Today it was not meant to be. But the time is coming". For my part, the shot made in the second game was the single luckiest shot I have ever seen in 36 years of table tennis. Cheng is truly an amazing athlete. He deserves this win.