The attacking skills and dynamic strokes of Greece’s Kalinikos
Kreranga against the defensive attributes of Korea’s Joo Se Hyuk was
the scenario for the second quarter-final in the Liebherr Men’s World
Cup.
History was by the narrowest of margins in favour of Joo Se
Hyuk; he had won four of the seven meetings against Kalinikos Kreanga
in world ranking events.
In the Country Hall Ethias in Liege on the evening of Saturday 27th September 2008, Kalinikos Kreanga levelled score.
He defeated Joo Se Hyuk in six games, winning 11-7, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 12-10.
Better Start
Kalinikos
Kreanga made the better start in the duel against Joo Se Hyuk; the
successful tactic employed was to play consistently with heavy topspin
into the backhand of the Korea, then when the chance arose, play a fast
point winning topspin to the forehand.
The Greek ace established
a 6-3 lead, the three point gap gave him the confidence to unleash his
famed backhand; it was risky but it worked.
Resolute
However, Joo Se Hyuk remained totally resolute and patient.
He
reduced the arrears in the opening game to 7-8 but never levelled as
Kalinikos Kreanga went back to plan of safety first by topspinning to
the backhand and then playing the meteoric forehand when the chance
arose.
It was a successful philosophy.
Errors
Success
for Kalinikos Kreanga in the opening game but in the second game he
made a series of errors and if he played with caution then Joo Se Hyuk
seized the chance to execute his powerful forehand topspin.
The game went comfortably to the Korea; it was parity.
Original Policy
In
the third game it was back to the plan that had won the first game and
it succeeded; Kalinikos Kreanga secured the third game with a degree of
comfort and he was one game to the good.
He continued the
policy in the fourth game and established an 8-4 lead; Joo Se Hyuk
reduced the deficit to 9-7 but never won another point. Kalinikos
Kreanga played in expansive mode and was two games to the good.
Fifth Game Secured
The third and fourth games had followed the pattern of the first; the fifth game followed the pattern of the second.
Kalinikos
Kreanga made a series of errors, his concentration wandering; Joo Se
Hyuk captured the game and thus reduced the match arrears to one game.
Sixth Game
In
the sixth game, Kalinikos Kreanga served predominantly with the
backhand from the centre of the table, directing the service towards
the forehand of Joo Se Hyuk and then playing his first attack with his
backhand.
He met with some success and held the advantage at
6-4; Joo Se Hyuk went ahead 9-7 and at 10-8 held two game points.
Playing audaciously, Kalinikos Kreanga saved both match points and then
at 11-10 had match point.
Victory
Serving with the backhand to the forehand of Joo Se Hyuk, then attacking consistently he converted the opportunity.
A place in the semi-finals had been booked.
Source: www.ittf.com
