09/02/2012        GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour, Czech Open

Surprise semi-finalists but it was sadness for Japan at the penultimate stage of the Men’s Singles event at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Czech Open in Olomouc on Sunday 2nd September; both Taku Takakiwa and Yuto Muramatsu suffered defeats.

Yuto Muramatsu, only 15 years old and the no.20 seed, was beaten by Korea’s Jeong Sangeun, the no.10 seed; whilst Taku Takakiwa, the no.5 seed, suffered at the hands of Germany’s Christian Süss, the no.7 seed.

Both contests were hard fought affairs; both being resolved in six games. Jeong Sangeun won 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 11-4, 7-11, 11-1 and was followed by Christian Süss who succeeded 6-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 12-10.

First Final
It is for both Jeong Sangeun and Christian Süss the first time either player has progressed to a Tour Men’s Singles final; in fact for the Korea, it is the first time he has ever progressed beyond the third round!

One Previous Semi-Final
Meanwhile, for Christian Süss reaching such exalted stages is not the norm but on one previous occasion he has reached the penultimate round of a Tour Men’s Singles event; in 2009 in Fredrikshaven, he progressed to the penultimate round at the Danish Open.

Similarly, Taku Takakiwa had secured a semi-final place one previously in his career; in 200q he reached the last but one round in Kobe at the Japan Open; as for Yuto Muramatsu it was totally unexplored territory. Quite understandably, considering his tender years, the second round was his previous best.

Previous Results
Against Jeong Sangeun, eventually the power of the Korean prevailed but he did cause the 2007 World Junior Champion plenty of cause for concern just as when the two had met earlier in the year.

In 2009, the two had met at the Japan Opem with Jeong Sangeun victorious in four straight games; however, earlier this year at the KRA Korean Open in Incheon it was a totally different story. Yuto Muramatsu won in four straight games!

Needed One Game More
The result in Olomouc was a reversal of Incheon but for Christan Suss and Taku Takakiwa the verdict was very much in line with their immediate previous meeting.

In 2006 at the Japan Open Christian Süss had won in five games; in Olomouc, he need one game more.