Heh, speaking of stunned... that's what his opponents look like when he fires a backhand smash down the line at them. I don't think there is any other player in the past or present who can do the backhand smash like TH.
I just watched a video of TC cup 2000 final, on the 2nd MS TH was up againts Xia Xuan Ze. And on the 2nd set TH returned calmly using his backhand, what supposed to be a net kill turn out to be a disaster for XXZ, its very similar to the WC 2010 final game againts CJ, only that time he did it TWICE in one set. And TH was maybe about 19 - 20 yrs old at that time, playing in front of full house stadium in Bukit something in Malaysia, with no pressure whatsoever. Simply amazing to watch.
Even to witness one will makes you stunned, not to mention to be given some.....if I'm one of those opponent, i will consider myself a lucky player to receive a few from TH....and i don't care if i lost
we could organize a "backhand" tournament We invite the whole top10 players and then they face each other in only-backhand matches
If such tournament is possible, I'll be damn sure all Taufik's opponents will end up like this: [video=youtube;ualwAwHjopU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ualwAwHjopU&feature=related[/video] [video=youtube;eEsARpxuYTM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEsARpxuYTM&feature=related[/video] ....from their face expression can simply tell that they are stunned, "how on earth such backhand can become a forehand!!!!!!"
.....and if they think that they CAN return his majestic backhand, I'll also be damn sure all of them will end up like this: [video=youtube;CzZKq17ydJI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzZKq17ydJI&feature=related[/video] ......Mr Kenneth still seems not aware, isn't he..........."Beware Taufik's backhand, it's a killer"
These are not examples of exceptional backhand shots because all three videos show TH took the backhand at only half-court, certainly far from a good length. Try to show some video of his backhand shots hit from the extreme back line. That will be the real test.
But is there any other player who can even match those that you called half courts??? if so please share
that was some good taufik backhand video! i think he is the only one with this unique gift for badminton though some may not agree but i think from the posts in this thread taufik should deserved to be name the world best back hander.
A backhand shots taken from an extreme back line is not an easy maneuver to perform, let alone stunning in results. How difficult it may be, if someone can do it and possibly do it in such away that you think its impossible but yet possible and the result is still stunning.........then, it STILL will be Taufik. [video=youtube;3GhRUQeR6yw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GhRUQeR6yw&p=7414C2183CFD15A1&playnext=1&index=37[/video] [video=youtube;D_Gwx1YDdvs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Gwx1YDdvs&feature=related[/video] Yes...if so please share...however, personally, being near half a decade of my age watching all known players........ - Performing a backhand shots from half court...........currently all world class player can do. - Performing a stunning, jaw dropping, beautifully executed, out of this world backhand shots from half court............................................currently ONLY Taufik can do it.
Well, its not just his backhand smash. Its everything about what he can do with the backhand. Here's an example... [video=youtube;ZpiAIxWDVoU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpiAIxWDVoU[/video]
I am not saying these shots are not good but all of them were taken at half-court. These are superb opportunistic killer shots that dealt mercilessly with poor returns from the opponent. I am sure TH is a killer in putting away such half lifts with great dispatch. Backhand smashes as shown by TH here are best taken when the shuttle is miserably short of a full length. I am sure TH wouldn't risk such backhand smashes from the back line of the court as the longer distance will moderate the surprise and speed element.
as i said some just don't think taufik has a good back hand instead of finding excuses they should see some video
For me Hidayat, just so creative and so much power even under pressure, with an honourable mention for Delfs - he showed that a backhand can be used for powerful attacks and not just safety, would be interesting to see what he could have done with a modern racquet? Hoyer-Larsen had some serious style though
actually most of the singles players do have very good back hand but most of the shots are back hand clear, slice or half smash down the line nothing fancy just some safe returns most of the time. take the case of morten frost against zhao in the all england final (year??) if, i say if morten frost did not have a good back hand clear or slice then, i am sure the game would be over before he even sweat! however, till today there is only one taufik that has a 'creative' back hand!
You may be right, but in this case we should underline that Taufik's skill allow him to do these shots !!
..a couple more threads related to best backhand players: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?51443-Who-invented-the-Backhand-Smash http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?20617-Players-who-like-to-use-backhand As for Taufik doing backhand smashes all the way from the back or baseline, i doubt he could do that (simply the distance and angle would reduce the effectiveness); or if he can, i don't think he'd do them often. I think his backhand smashes were performed from mid-court to about 2/3 of the court (as the angle & distance would allow allow such shots to be effective).. Btw, you guys have been watching old videos of Taufik doing backhand shots...here are a couple of recent ones (from a tourney he participated in), up close and personal.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjgtHIEdwfc (for all you Taufik super-fans, watch @ 2:15 & get ready to whistle & scream your "oohs and ahhs") [video=youtube;LjgtHIEdwfc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjgtHIEdwfc[/video] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOLsUAunVTI [video=youtube;gOLsUAunVTI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOLsUAunVTI[/video]
Taufik's strong backhand is now becoming his weakness too. No matter how good it's, it will never be as good as his forehand. If you look at his matches in recent years, he hit way more backhands than his opponents. Many times in the similar positions, LD or LCW would be able to move backward and hit an over-the-head smash, but he chose to hit a backhand instead. In early years, a lot of his backhand winners just by catching his opponents off-guard. But now-a-day, every opponent respects his backhand, and he no longer hit as many backhand winners as before. But we talk about pure backhand skill, he and Xiong Guo Bao should be the #1 and #2 or the other way around.
