Other Events | 14 Dec 2014

MIZUTANI accounted OVTCHAROV in Bangkok

Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI won the Men’s Singles title at the US$ 1,000,000 GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Bangkok. In a final, MIZUTANI, the top seed, beat Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, the second seed, in a gripping full distance seven games c

Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI won the Men’s Singles title at the US$ 1,000,000 GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals in Bangkok. In a final, MIZUTANI, the top seed, beat Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, the second seed, in a gripping full distance seven games contest (14-12, 12-10, 8-11, 11-3, 6-11, 12-14, 11-6).

It was Jun MIZUTANI who made the better start, he won the first two games, both settled by the minimal margin. However, in the third game, the advantage swung in favour of Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. He went ahead 7-1 before Jun MIZUTANI staged a recovery to reduce the deficit to three points at 9-6.

Jörg ROSSKOPF, the German National Men’s Team coach, fearing a momentum change, called “Time Out”. It proved a wise move; Dimitrij OVTCHAROV remained firm to win the game and reduced the deficit to one.

Immediately, MIZUTANI responded to secure the fourth game. A comfortable fourth game win for MIZUTANI; it was an equally decisive fifth game success for Dimitrij OVTCHAROV.

It was to be much different in the sixth game. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV went ahead 8-6; MIZUTANI levelled at 9-all and the saved game point on three occasions to stand level at 12-all. He called “Time Out”; a break, it worked but it worked for Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. He won the next two points, a deciding seventh game beckoned. In the decisive seventh game MIZUTANI led 5-4 when the players changed ends and at 10-5 held five match points; the first was saved not the second.

Jun MIZUTANI collects US$ 100,000 for his efforts; Dimitrij OVTCHAROV departs with US$ 60,000.

In the semi final Jun MIZUTANI accounted for Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS, the no.5 seed (11-9, 11-7, 11-6, 4-11, 11-9), before Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, the no.2 seed, followed suit. Impressively, he accounted for Hong Kong’s TANG Peng, the no.11 seed, in four straight games (11-6, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7).

Outstanding en route to the final, Japan’s Kasumi ISHIKAWA maintained the form shown in the earlier rounds, to win the Women’s Singles title. At the final hurdle, she beat Korea’s SEO Hyowon, the ninth seed, in four straight games (11-7, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9) to arrest the title.

In the semi final Kasumi ISHIKAWA, the no.2 seed, ended the hopes of Georgina POTA, the no.10 seed (11-6, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5).