Sometimes you don't want to open a door or a window all the way. If you just need a little air, but it's cold or buggy or otherwise disagreeable outside, then you just want it a little open. At the Westchester Table Tennis Center (WTTC) in Pleasantville, New York, shuttered for half a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a "Little Open" represents a major milestone in the phased resumption of activity. Their first official tournament since February, the "August Little Open" saw world-class talent competing under strict hygienic protocols. While the newly expanded club could ordinarily hold hundreds of people, total capacity was limited to 50 in accordance with state regulations. An afebrile temperature reading was required for entry, and sanitizer freely available at every turn. One player already acquainted with the drill was 20-year-old Adar Alguetti (pictured, with WTTC owner Will Shortz, fellow finalist Kokou Fanny, and WTTC manager Robert Roberts). Along with his brothers Sharon and Gal, the Alguetti boys have been regular participants (and winners) at the WTTC's longstanding monthly tournaments. Unable to uphold the traditions of the past, the WTTC instead embraced the future, hosting a series of innovative "T2" exhibitions as part of an ongoing virtual team tournament. On August 13, Adar Alguetti pulled off a comeback win against fellow Team USA member Amy Wang, netting a cool $1,000 for his efforts. On Sunday, August 30, Adar came back for more. The weekend's drastically reduced event lineup featured only U1600, U2000, U2250 and Open events, instead of the usual 18 offerings. In the final, Alguetti faced 33-year-old Kokou Fanny of Togo. With the overpowering forehand loop which deserves to be etched on the family crest, Alguetti overwhelmed Fanny in straight sets, (11-7, 11-9, 11-3), adding $800 to his August assets column. With the ITTF rankings frozen in amber since April, Kokou Fanny is currently ranked #216 in the world. Adar Alguetti was ranked as high as #349 two years ago. Due to his inactivity on the international scene, however, he is not currently listed in the ITTF world rankings. This convincing win over a world-class player suggests that Alguetti is becoming one himself. Whenever international competition can safely resume, we hope to see all of the Alguetti brothers representing the United States around the world. In the meantime, the Westchester Table Tennis Center is keeping some of America's top players sharp in this maddeningly protracted off-season. For table tennis-starved players and fans, the August Little Open was certainly a breath of fresh air.

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