by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

There was little to choose in the early exchanges in the opening two games but once a two point lead was established, the opportunity was seized.

In the first game the pairs stood level at 4-all; from than point Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima moved ahead establishing an 8-6 lead before at 10-6 holding four game points. They converted at the second attempt.

The second game was very much the same as the first, only in the opposite direction; from 3-all, Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting moved ahead 5-3, before at 10-5 holding five match points; just as in the opening game the first match point was saved, not the second.

Two games very similar, the next four were very different; in the third game Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting moved ahead 5-1; it proved a commanding lead, it was an advantage they did not relinquish.

A two games to one lead, a three games to one advantage beckoned. In the fourth game they led 10-6; incredibly they lost the next six points, having at 10-8 elected for “Time Out”.

Once again in the fifth game the Hong Kong duo established a lead. They forged 7-2 advantage, only this time they managed to maintain their ascendancy after the Japanese duo had fought back to one point in arrears at 8-7 and then had levelled at 9-all.

Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting again in the lead; in the sixth game a golden opportunity arose; at 10-8 they held two match points. They were unable to convert, Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima won four points in a row; a seventh game beckoned

The decider was to prove the same as the sixth, at the change of ends Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting held a 5-3 lead, at 10-8 they had a further two match points, the Japanese duo having taken a “Time Out” when trailing 9-8.

Against the odds Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima levelled, they secured the next two point to clinch a quite staggering victory.

“We thought this match would very difficult,  we were two-one behind, but after that we changed tactics and we came back. Now we are unbelievably happy!” Masataka Morizono

“Now we will celebrate with a big party.” Yuya Oshima

“We were too eager to win and weren’t careful at crucial moments and that gave them the chance to attack.” Wong Chun Ting

Once again the champions, Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima form the only Japanese pair to have won the Men’s Doubles title at a Grand Finals.