I think it is really disgusting how many people talk in the comments of Fabian Akerström videos. I loved his style when he still played with frictionless pips. I have much respect for him that he tried to play with LEGAL rubbers, after the FLP ban(BTW Zhang Jike does not take those rules so serious). And although he is not really a modern defender he played on a decent level, that nobody here in the comments will ever achieve. This is not the "ugly side" of TT. It takes just as much talent and training.
I respect Fabian's skills, but I honestly did not expect Z.J.K. to have such a hard time in games three and four, where the games could have gone either way. As a rated player myself, I saw Z.J.K. have the same difficulties and miss the same way my friends do. I am a double winged looper and have a good friend who plays with long pips. It is exciting to play him and watch him chop down some strong attacking players. I think Ma Long, Xu Xin and J.O.Waldner are particularly deadly to long pip players. Z.J.K. I think needs more practice against long pips.
Prefer watching joo or maybe gionis of Greece. This style reminds me of me when I played frikky pips. Lol the blocks n stops from loops were so laden with back spin ouch. Un stoppable...I miss that style it was enjoyable...
Akerstrom is ordinary at best. Sweden are in a sad state if this is their top player. The Swedes have a rich table tennis history.....obviously going through a rough period now. Waldner,Persson and Applegren need to take over the National development training program. Its getting a tad bit monotonous watching the Chinese dominate everything now. Come on guys.