By Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
The no.2 seeds, at the semi-final stage of proceedings, they beat Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chien-An and Chiang Hung-Chieh, the no.6 seeds (11-3, 11-7, 10-12, 12-14, 11-8, 11-5) on what was a round of mixed fortunes for Japan. In the counterpart semi-final, Jin Ueda and Maharu Yoshimura, the top seeds, experienced defeat at the hands of Hong Kong’s Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting, the no.3 seeds (4-11, 11-3, 13-11, 3-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-9).
After Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima had resisted a brave recovery my Chen Chien-An and Chiang Hung-Chieh, notably in the fourth game the Chinese Taipei duo recovering from a 7-10 deficit to eventually secure the game; an all Japanese final appeared very much a possibility as Jin Ueda and Maharu Yoshimura established a three games to two advantage and led 5-3 in the sixth.
It was at that stage the Hong Kong duo elected for “Time Out”; it proved a most fruitful. They levelled at 6-all before moving ahead 8-6. Jin Ueda and Maharu Yoshimura won the next two points to level matters; again at 9-all it was parity before on their second game point, Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting converted.
However, as the decisive seventh game started, the odds swung in favour of Japan. Jin Ueda and Maharu Yoshimura established a 4-1 lead, at the change of ends they were 5-2 ahead. It was at that stage there was a major momentum shift. Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting won next four points to lead 6-5; the Japanese duo called “Time Out”.
Motivated, the Hong Kong pair won the next two points to lead 8-5, Jin Ueda and Maharu Yoshimura gained parity at 8-all and 9-all but they could not match the achievement for a third time; two points in a row for Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting, a place in the final was reserved.
“The handling of crucial points in the third and seven games was definitely vital to us winning the match. In the last game we were better in the crucial points after 8-8; they didn’t have the chance to attack.” Ho Kwan Kit
“In the last game, I didn’t receive the service well, we lost our 8-6 lead in the game. At that time when I serving at 8-8, I tried not to give them any chance and look for opportunities for us to get an upper hand.” Wong Chun Ting
The Men’s Doubles final is listed to follow the Women’s Doubles final which is scheduled to commence at 2.00pm on Sunday 17th December, the closing day of play in Astana.
