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mynamenotbob wrote: on Saturday June 14 2026 16:22
Since both players are defenders, they had to play using expedite rules right from the get-go.

Nope.
Who decides if a player is a defensive player? Style police

Anyway there is no such thing as had to from the get go
I have played in a few expedited matches

Nobody has to when the match starts until a game reaches 10 minutes

However if both opponents (not just one) agree that they want to go with expedite system at any point during a match including at the beginning of a match , they can opt to go expedite.
But the forced expedite only can happen if any game reaches the 10 minute mark

In this case I assume both players agreed to go expedite after consulting with tournament director.
Or may be the tournamnet director "suggested" that they start with expedite which I doubt because it only would have taken additional 10 minutes maybe if both players pushed for 10 minutes or first the game went past 10 minutes.

But given that both these players are over 45 & also doubles partners forever , I assume they BOTH agreed to go expedite from the start.
But it is upto the players . The rule does not dictate they "must" from 0-0

The following excerpt on Expedite Rule is from Click link > ITTF Statutes 2026

2.15 THE EXPEDITE SYSTEM
2.15.1 Except as provided in 2.15.2, the expedite system shall come into operation
after 10 minutes’ play in a game or at any time when requested by both
players or pairs.
2.15.2 The expedite system shall not be introduced in a game if at least 18 points
have been scored.
2.15.3 If the ball is in play when the time limit is reached and the expedite system
is due to come into operation, play shall be interrupted by the umpire and
shall resume with service by the player who served in the rally that was
interrupted; if the ball is not in play when the expedite system comes into
operation, play shall resume with service by the player who received in the
immediately preceding rally.
2.15.4 Thereafter, each player shall serve for 1 point in turn until the end of the
game, and if the receiving player or pair makes 13 correct returns in a rally
the receiver shall score a point.
2.15.5 Introduction of the expedite system shall not alter the order of serving and
receiving in the match, as defined in 2.13.6.
2.15.6 Once introduced, the expedite system shall remain in operation until the end
of the match.

You can see the match between Kim vs Park that was expedited from very start by mutual agreement here

Not a very good match. Though they both are still incredibly good.
When two women choppers face each other it is not as exciting as an attacker facing a chopper.
This is possibly because women choppers don’t seem to have the power to break thru the defence of the other chopper
Few matches between 2 male choppers have been exceptional but others not so good.
I saw a match between the Real GOAT of all of table tennis Joo Saehyuk against Hou Yingcho . It was ok. Not that great.
But the best match is considered to be the one between Koji Matsushita and Li Gun Sand at the 1989 WTTC Team event

It was very hard to see how good these two are (were) when they play against each other

But you can see them here winning the Doubles

Fake Spin wrote: ↑June 15th, 2026, 3:35 am
2.15 THE EXPEDITE SYSTEM
2.15.1 Except as provided in 2.15.2, the expedite system shall come into operation
after 10 minutes’ play in a game or at any time when requested by both
players or pairs.

How is the 10 minutes measured?