06/17/2012        GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour, Brazil Open

A brave effort and for the effort made, the utmost respect must go the host nation’s Hugo Calderano and Cazuo Marsumoto but at the end of the day there was to be no storybook ending.

Following a brave effort, they were beaten in the final of the Men’s Doubles event on the Sunday 17th June at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Brazil Open by the illustrious Korean partnership of Oh Sangeun and Ryu Seungmin.

Gradually, after surviving shell-shock, Oh Sangeun and Ryu Seungmin assumed control but in the early staged they had to dodge Brazilian bullets.

Oh Sangeun and Ryu Seungmin, the no.1 seeds, justified their exalted position in the draw; they won in six games (8-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-8,11-3, 11-5).

Crowd Effect
The crowd lifted Hugo Calderano and Cazuo Matsumoto, the no.4 seeds, to new heights; they won the first game, lost the second but then in third started like an express train.

They went ahead 8-5; adrenalin was gushing through Brazilian bodies; Oh Sangeun and Ryu Seungmin reduced the deficit to one point at 8-7.

Brazilian coach, Lincoln Yasuda, called “Time Out”. The Koreans levelled but then at 10-8, there were two game points to Hugo Calderano and Cazuo Matsumoto; the first game point was saved but not the second. Santos celebrated.

Very Much at Home
Was it feasible that a massive upset was in the offing?

Already in the Men’s Singles event Hugo Calderano had caused an absolute sensation by beating Jean-Michel Saive.

You had to blink to realise that the young man from Rio de Janeiro is only 15 years old and most certainly he was not overawed by the occasion; he faced two vastly experienced players who have succeeded at the highest levels.

Without doubt he relished in the occasion. He was not in any way dumbstruck.

Celebrated Coach
The fourth game was close but it went to Korea; the problem for the Brazilians was that they were playing at a level above the norm.

Competing against Oh Sangeun and Ryu Seungmin was much different to playing in a Latin American Championships or for Hugo Calderano, the ITTF Junior Circuit.

Celebrated Coach
Level, the Koreans had weathered storm.

The dominated the fifth and sixth games; the top seeds had prevailed; the Brazilians had gained the respect of all, runners up spot was a most creditable performance.