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Backhand clinic

A somewhat unorthodox way of backhand...

Conclusion of 2010 Thomas and Uber Cup

China won the Thomas cup again with a dominating performance sweeping aside South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia.

On the other hand, South Korea pulled off a major upset by beating China 3-1 to take the Uber cup.

APACS Tantrum 200 Review

APACS Tantrum 200 Review
Date : 15 May 2010
Racket Type : Apacs Tantrum 200
Specs : 3UG2
Flex: Stiff-
Balance: 285+/-5 mm
Strings: Yonex BG66 Tension: 25lbs , 1 Piece Stringing
Grip: Karakal Super PU grip + Toalson overgrip
Technology : Isometric head, Super P-F frame, Hi-modulus graphite(Toray M30 and M40 grade graphite)

First Impression: Initially , I thought that this color looks a bit cool and relaxing, with light green as the main color with subtle colors of gray, silver and black. The racquet looks pleasant and is 'well-built'. For the first time I handle it, the racket feels even balance, solid and somewhat stiff. Frame shape is rather standard isometric. The 'T-joint' and shaft is rather thick.

Warm Ups: The racket indeed feels really solid. But as usual, I start off with baseline to baseline shots. Clears are good, feels like mid flex in terms of stiffness when swung overhead. Racket head is stable and well balanced. Reaction time is above average and the driving or flat play is good. The racquet is stable in cutting thru the air and feels easy to control shots.

Game Time: I like the feel of serving low using this racket, very accurate to hit just nicely to the 'T' area. Flick serve is great as well. Net play is good and control is excellent as the 'feeling' is there. Sliced and reversed sliced shots are excellent as one can 'feel' the shots coming off the string bed. When comes to time reaction, I would say that this racket is adequate. Smashes are solid with this racquet and easy to generate power. Control imho is above average. Defense is slightly above average but not as maneuverable/aerodynamic as the best headlight racquet due to the thick T-joint/thick shaft. Driving is good with this racquet.

Conclusion: What can you complain when you can have solid feeling, power and control? Probably the racquet is not that aerodynamic. I’m satisfied with it and how its made. This racquet is excellent for control at the net, clears to the corners, smashes and general all round play. Probably, not the best defensive racquet, but the control and power makes up for it. An all-rounder racquet that would suit most players.

Feel: 8.5/10
Control: 9/10
Power: 9/10
Defense: 7.5/10
Maneuverability: 7.5/10

Pros : Excellent control, power and an all-rounder racquet

Cons: slightly less aerodynamic than the modern slim racquet hence slightly lower defense and maneuverability

Suitability: Advance/Intermediate/high beginner all-around player

Yonex Arcsaber 10 Review

Arcsaber 10 SP
Review Date : 10 May 2010
Racket Type : Yonex Arcsaber 10 SP
Specs : 3UG5
Flex: Stiff+
Balance: 285mm
Strings: Yonex BG80
Tension: 26lbs , 1 Piece Stringing
Grip: Yonex Cyber Plus Beta grip + Toalson overgrip
Technology : Isometric slim head, Cup-Stacked Carbon Nanotube, Ultra PEF, Super HMG, Control Support cap and New T-joint

First Impression:
Initially , I thought that this color is a bit too bright comprising of overall metallic red flanked by white laterally from 2-5 O'clock. The racquet looks fierce and from a distance, one could tell it's an arcsaber 10. For the first time I handle it, the racket feels even balance rather than headheavy. Frame shape is thin and have a rather standard isometric shape. The 'T-joint' and shaft is rather thin and the flex of the shaft is rather stiff.

Warm Ups:
The racket indeed feels really solid. Still getting used to the timing since the strings is BG80, a bit different from my usual BG66. But as usual, I start off with baseline to baseline shots. Clears are good, feels like a Yonex MP99 in terms of stiffness. Racket head is stable and well balanced. Reaction time is fast and the driving or flat play is good. The racquet is stable in cutting thru the air and feels a bit stiff when hitting with backhands.

Game Time:
I like the feel of serving low using this racket, very accurate to hit just nicely to the 'T' area. Flick serve is great as well. Net play is good and control is excellent as the 'feeling' is there. Sliced and reversed sliced shots are excellent as one can 'feel' the shots coming off the string bed. When comes to time reaction, I would say that this racket is very good. Above average defense since the racquet is not that head heavy. Smashes are good with this racquet as the stiffness is where the power comes from. Control is on par with a singles Yonex racquet like AT900P/AT700. Not only that, this racquet is as maneuverable/aerodynamic as the best headlight racquet due to the slim T-joint and slim shaft. Driving is excellent with this racquet.

Conclusion:

What can you complain when you can have solid feeling and control? Probably the racquet is not beginner friendly as it feels very stiff when swung. I’m satisfied with it and how it is made. This racquet is excellent for control at the net, clears to the corners, sliced shots and general all round play. Probably, not the best smashing racquet, but the control makes up for it.

Feel: 9/10
Control: 9.5/10
Power: 8.5/10
Defense: 8/10
Maneuverability: 8.5/10

Pros : Superb control and excellent feeling

Cons: Price and lack of pure smashing power

Suitability : Intermediate/Advance. More of a singles racquet or an all-round racquet.

YONEX/Sunrise sports recommendation for player type:
For professional players looking for striking power and control for managing speed

Yonex rating 1-5
Power 5
Control 5
Flex 5
(Ref: Yonex badminton chart)

Spinning net shot

A bread and butter shot in men's singles especially to setup a half-court lift from opponent, so that one can put it away by a jumpsmash.
If the netshot is good/high quality, you can even get a freebie netkill.
However, it is less useful in doubles.

Thomas Cup

Thomas cup fever starts in Malaysia.

As the host, they will be a favourite to win. But it is not easy as China the powerhouse is still too strong with depth at the singles.

China won the finals again.

Lin Dan doing a victory dance, er...taunt (depending on which supporter's point of view) after beating Lee Chong Wei.

GIFSoup

Yonex Limited edition shoes

Yonex has just release two new limited edition shoes.

Basically recolored version.

http://www.yonex.com/badminton/shoes/limited.html