By Neha Aggarwal
Tomokazu Harimoto and Lam Siu Hang played a full five games duel (11-6, 3-11, 16-18, 11-9, 11-9), a contest that took place for almost 50 minutes. Today, Harimoto appeared to be shaky from the beginning and was not at his absolute best.
Additionally, Lam Siu Hang, ranked no.181 in the global ranking was a fierce attacker, maintaining his calm and composure at the same time. “Harimoto and I have the same playing style. Thus there were many many long rallies,” explained Lam Siu Hang.
“I was quiet tensed initially as I am four years elder to him, and I did not want to lose. But I was extremly focused. I kept pinning him to the extreme backhand side to stop him from attacking which worked very well,” -Lam Siu Hang
In the final game, the pivotal situation was at 7-6 when Harimoto missed a serve and thus the gap extended to two points. After that, Harimoto appeared to be lost and eventually experienced defeat.
In the other semi- finals, Asuka Sakai knocked out teammate Takuto Izumo in four games (5-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9), a match that was wrapped up in just 15 minutes.
Post winning, Sakai rejoiced, “I was concentrating very hard today. I am not sure what exactly I did but I was so focused in the match that everything came so naturally to me.”
“I am so glad to have made it to the final, Lam Siu Hang just beat Harimoto, it will be a tough one, but I am going to give my best,” – Asuka Sakai.
Sakai is currently unranked in the world, whereas Takuto Izumo is placed at no.221. Certainly, at the top most level, ranking does not matter. What matters is the who performs the best at that given day.
Undoubtedly, Lam Siu Hang also proved the point. He is ranked no.181 while Harimoto is well ahead at no.64.
The finals will be played LIVE at 7:00pm IST. Watch exclusively only on tv.ittf.com.
