Certainly on Thursday 11th June 2009, it was the ‘Match of the Day’
and there could but just cause for dubbing the contest the ‘Match of
the Year’.
It was a duel of quite epic proportions. In the group
qualification stage of the Men’s Singles event at the Japan Open in
Wakayama, the host nation’s Kenta Matsudaira, the young man who had
achieved hero status at the recent H.I.S.World Championships in
Yokohama, beat Korea’s Jung Young Sik in a duel that will live long in
the memory.
Kenta Matsudaira won 11-7, 13-11, 6-11, 4-11, 6-11, 11-8, 19-17.
Drama
The well worn phrase ‘Victory by the narrowest of margins’ is an understatement.
Furthermore, the sheer facts mask the actual drama.
Seventh Game
‘Kenta
was leading 10-6 in the seventh game’, explained Austria’s Karl
Jindrak, the ITTF Competition Manager on duty in Wakayama. Jung Young
Sik came back to 10-all and then had five match points in a row!’
The chances went begging and they were real chances.
Serving
‘On
each occasion Jung Young Sik was serving’, emphasized Karl Jindrak.
‘The defensive blocking play combined with some high risk strokes saw
long rallies with the verdict eventually going 19-17 to Kenta
Matsudaira; it was a splendid match with Kenta perhaps a little tired
from playing in the Volkswagen China versus World Team match.’
In
Shanghai, Kenta Matsudaira had lost to Wang Liqin in a close five games
encounter, whilst at the H.I.S. World Championships he had suffered
defeat against Wang Liqin’s Chinese national team compatriot, Ma Lin,
in what was arguably the most memorable match in the seven days of
competition in the Yokohama Arena.
Great Credit
The
fact that Jung Young Sik, extended Kenta Matsudaira to the very brink
is great credit to the Korean; he finished the group in second place
with both Kenta Matsudaira and Jung Young Sik beating the rising French
star, Simon Gauzy.
No Luck
Alas,
it was scant consolation for the Korean; only the group winner
progressed to the main draw and lady luck did not shine on Jung Young
Sik; he did not receive one of the four ‘Lucky Loser’ places.
It was not his day but he could reflect with pride on his superb efforts.
Source: www.ittf.com
