by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Furthermore, the European duo also ended the ambitions of Jin Ueda and Maharu Yoshimura in claiming their third ITTF World Tour Men’s Doubles title of the year and their second in succession.
Earlier in the year they had won in China, last week they succeeded in Panagyurishte at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Asarel Bulgaria Open, when beating India’s Soumyajit Ghosh and Sathiyan Gnanasekaren in the final.
Happy memories of Panagyurishte but quite the same for Olomouc; three years ago, they were beaten in the final of the Men’s Doubles event at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Czech Open by their colleagues, Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima; their one other ITTF World Tour Men’s Doubles final.
In 2017 it was same again and Maharu Yoshimura was in somewhat charitable mood.
“We knew that we had to be aggressive and put pressure on the Japanese, because if do not put enough pressure, they can play very well. The whole doubles was quite concentrated from our side, quite focused and we are very happy with this victory.” Patrick Franziska
After winning the third game, Patrick Franziska and Jonathan Groth established 10-6 lead in the fourth; four match points. Fearing a dramatic recovery, they called “Time Out”; words of wisdom from Jörg Rosskopf, the German National Coach, sitting courtside. The players returned to the fray.
Whatever the words of Jörg Rosskopf may have been, they put the hex on Maharu Yoshimura; trying to serve short, he served into the net; Patrick Franziska and Jonathan Groth smiled in celebration and applauded the crowd.
“I think that Japanese players are extremely fast, both over the table and in the rallies. We had to play very aggressively, even If we made a few mistakes, we had to continue playing aggressively. They won last week the latest World Tour. It was a very good doubles and we are very happy to beat them in the final.” Jonathan Groth
It was for Patrick Franziska and Jonathan Groth, their second ITTF World Tour Men’s Doubles title in their third such final; last year they won in Croatia; earlier this year it had been runners up spot in Korea.
