by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting, the no.3 seeds, accounted for India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (12-10, 11-3, 7-11, 11-4), a pairing whose journey had started some three days earlier in the qualification tournament; Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin, the no.2 seeds, ended the hopes of Korea’s Jang Woojin and Jeoung Youngsik, the no.8 seeds (11-7, 11-13, 11-6, 11-8).

Determined Sharath Kamal Achanta and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran made the better start; in the opening game they established an 8-2; it was an advantage on which they were unable to capitalise.

“At the start of the match we were just too passive; we just did not adapt quickly enough to their style of play.” Ho Kwan Kit

A close first game secured, the Hong Kong duo dominated the second; trailing by two games to nil, Sharath Kamal Achanta and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran established a 6-3 lead in the third game. Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting were never able to close the gap; however they were stung by the reverse. In the fourth game they went ahead 4-1, the Indian duo called “Time Out”, they had little option but the break was not to work in their favour.

Meanwhile for Hong Kong, the deft pen-hold grip play of Wong Chun Ting, outstanding over the table, near the net, guided Hong Kong to victory.

“Achanta in particular is very powerful but I think we were better with the short play; that was a key factor.” Wong Chun Ting

Defeat for Sharath Kamal Achanta and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, it was defeat in a similar vein for Jang Woojin and Jeoung Youngsik; one game secured and then the door firmly closed.

The Men’s Doubles final will be played on Sunday 19th November and will follow the Women’s Doubles final due to start at 2.00pm (local time).