10/22/2006 SERBIAN Open

The Men’s Singles final at the Serbian Open in Belgrade on Sunday 22nd October 2006 was a contest between two power players: Japan's Kaii Yoshida, right handed, an exponent of the penhold grip and Austria's Kostadin Lengerov; also right handed but a shakehands grip player.

History favoured Kaii Yoshida. On their one previous meeting in a world ranking event he prevailed; in the first round of the Men’s Singles event at the Polish Open in October 2004 he had beaten the Austrian in five games.

However, the match in Belgrade had a different significance to the duel fought two years earlier, in Serbia it was the final.

Dynamic
It was dynamic table tennis, topspin rallies with the ebullient Kaii Yoshida winning the first game 11-9; the problem for Kostadin Lengerov was effecting returns of service to prevent the Japanese tornado attacking with his dynamic forehand.

Covering every centimetre of the court, Kaii Yoshida continued his barrage of attacks in the second game, he strained every sinew to play his favoured forehand and he succeeded. He won the second game 11-5.

Good Start
Kostadin Lengerov, winner of the Cadet Boys’ Singles title at the European Youth Championships in 1991 and the winner of the Junior Boys’ Singles title four years later made the better start in the third game. He went ahead 4-1 and then 5-2. Like Kaii Yoshida he looked to play his forehand early in the rally and he concentrated his first attack towards the body of the Japanese star.

Kaii Yoshida tried to attack Lengerov’s service whenever possible; if the Austrian served a fraction long Kaii Yoshida was there like a hawk seizing on his prey.

Determined
He fought, he moved well and levelled at 7-all, then came what must have been the point of the tournament. A tremendous topspin to topspin rally with Kaii Yoshida winning the exchange; the Serbian crowd applauded loudly in adulation, they were seeing two superb athletes in action, they were seeing thrilling sport.

The loss of the point prompted Kostadin Lengerov to take a `Time Out’, he returned, he won the next point but it was Kaii Yoshida to serve and the Japanese international took full advantage of the situation. He won the next two points, eventually securing the game 11-8 when the Austrian, trying to return the ball short, played into the net.

Victory
In the fourth game it was once again Kostadin Lengerov who made the better start, he went ahead 4-1 but Kaii Yoshida recovered to level at 5-all. He realised he was nearing victory, he was focused, a clenched left fist greeted every success with a deep throated groan.

He established an 8-6 lead; the writing was on the wall, he was not to be denied as he moved ahead 9-6, then 10-6. It was championship point but it was Kostadin Lengerov to serve.

The Austrian won both points on his service but he won no more; Kaii Yoshida took full advantage of the fact it was his turn to serve, he won the next point, he yelled in exultation, he was the champion.

Kaii Yoshida won 11-9, 11-5, 11-8, 11-8.