Korea’s Oh Sang Eun, the no.3 seed, won the Men’s Singles title at
the Japan Open in Wakayama on Sunday 13th June 2009, beating Germany’s
Patrick Baum in a close seven games encounter at the final hurdle and
thus prevented a new chapter in the history books of the ITTF Pro Tour
being written.
No player, required to negotiate the
qualification stage has ever won an ITTF Pro Tour Men’s Singles title;
Patrick Baum who missed a direct entry to the main draw by one place
and was the highest world ranked player in action in the group stage
came the closest yet.
Caused Problems
The
fast attacking skills of the German left hander caused the tall stylish
right hand counter topspin skills of Oh Sang Eun a host of problems.
Oh Sang won but only just; he succeeded 7-11, 13-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6.
Memories of Three Years Earlier
In
many ways it was a similar encounter to 2006 when Oh Sang Eun had won
the Men’s Singles crown at the Chinese Taipei Open; on that occasion he
had to withstand a barrage of fast attacking strokes from another
European left hander, Christophe Legout of France.
In Taipei City he stood firm in seven games, three years later he stood firm again.
First Meeting
It
was the first time that Oh Sang Eun and Patrick Baum had met in a world
ranking event with the voice of experience prevailing.
Fine Results
Winner
of five Men’s Singles titles on the ITTF Pro Tour prior to 2009 Japan
Open, Oh Sang Eun undoubtedly enjoyed his best year in 2005 when he
clinched gold in Korea, Chile and the United States of America, whilst
also progressing to the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event in
Shanghai at the Volkswagen 48th World Championships.
In 2006 he
won in Chinese Taipei and finished in runners up spot in the Men’s
Singles event at the Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals before once again
winning on home soil in Korea one year later.
World Ranking
The
string of fine results meant he progressed to a career high of no.5 on
the ITTF Men’s World Rankings in May 2007 but then was dogged by a back
injury, which forced a break from international play and a series of
disappointing results early in 2008.
Olympic Games
However, at the Beijing Olympic Games he returned to form.
He
was the one player to cause the Chinese problems giving Ma Lin a torrid
examination when they met in the Men’s Team event whilst in the ensuing
Men’s Singles competition he beat Germany’s Timo Boll before once again
losing to Ma Lin in the quarter-finals.
In Wakayama he
underlined the fact that he is now back to approaching his best form
and once again he showed a distinct liking for German left handers.
New Experience
Meanwhile,
for 21 year old Patrick Baum, it was a whole new experience and
following his efforts in Wakakayama he is surely now destined to climb
the ITTF Men’s World Rankings.
Currently he stands at a career high of no.59 and when the lists are published for July 2009, surely a top 50 place beckons.
Headache for National Coach
Furthermore, he has given Richard Prause, the German National Men’s Team Head Coach and his advisors more than food for thought.
The
established national team of Timo Boll, Christian Süss and Dimitrij
Ovtcharov, who won silver in the Men’s Team event at the Beijing
Olympics Games, has a strong candidate knocking on the door.
A headache for Richard Prause but it is one which many a country would desire.
Intense Competition
Also, the performance of Patrick Baum reflects the intense competition on the ITTF Pro Tour.
Patrick Baum came through his Men’s Singles qualification group stage matches in first place but only just.
He
had to recover from a two games to one deficit to record a seven games
victory against Korea’s Kim Min Seok; whilst in opposition to Japan’s
Jin Ueda, he needed six games to seal victory.
Self-Belief
Win
a close match and you believe; it was never more true than for Patrick
Baum in Wakayama; the Men’s Singles silver medallist at the 2009 Japan
Open.
Source: www.ittf.com
