4/22/2007        LIEBHERR Chile Open

Hong Kong’s Ko Lai Chak and Li Ching won the Men’s Doubles title at the Liebherr Chile Open in Santiago on Sunday 22nd April 2007 beating top seeds, Gao Ning and Yang Zi of Singapore in the final.

They won 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6.

It was their first Men’s Doubles title on the ITTF Pro Tour since they gained success in June 2005 at the TMS Chinese Taipei Open; in career terms it was their seventh ITTF Pro Tour Men’s Doubles crown.

Opening Games
The opening game was played at a fast pace with the verdict going the way of Gao Ning and Yang Zi; the latter is very much the architect of the Singaporean team. He has supple wrists and he creates the openings for Gao Ning.

Meanwhile, Gao Ning is the more placid character, he is the mental strength in the team, he calms matters down.

A good start for Gao Ning and Yang Zi, they made the better start in the second game but as the crucial stage was reached it was the Hong Kong pair who held the advantage. Just as they had lost the first game 11-7, they won the second game 11-7.

Confident
Confident as a result of the second game success, Ko Lai Chak and Li Ching were in the express lane in the third game. They raced into a 6-2 lead and it was their speed that told; neither Hong Kong player is renowned for power both are recognised for their speed.

Gao Ning and Yang Zi recovered to trail 6-4 and reduced the arrears to 7-6 but gaining equality never accrued. Ko Lai Chak and Li Ching won the next three points eventually winning the game 11-7.

Standard Rises
The fourth game saw the standard of play rise; no unforced errors, dynamic winning topspin strokes with the two shakehands grip players, Gao Ning and Yang Zi going ahead 4-2.

Ko Lai Chak and Li Ching, both penholders, looked to attack at the earliest opportunity; exciting rallies were the order of the afternoon. The Hong Kong duo drew level at 8-all, the next two points were shared with Ko Lai Chak to serve to Gao Ning.

The Hong Kong duo took advantage of the fact they were serving, they won the game 11-9.

Benefited
In the fifth game Gao NIng and Yang Zi mounted a recovery, they played positively and established a 9-5 lead.

The Hong Kong duo won the next point but then a stroke of fortune for Yang Zi when a forehand clipped the edge of the table and took Singapore to game point. Ko Lai Chak and Li Ching won the next two points. It was crisis time and the Singaporeans called `Time Out’. The score was 10-9.

The break worked, the next point went to Gao Ning and Yang Zi, the fifth game belonged to Singapore.

Benefited
The sixth game saw the Hong Kong duo attack strongly but at 4-2 it was advantage Singapore.

Alas for Singapore the advantage was short-lived. Ko Lai Chak and Li Ching won the next eight points, eventually winning the game 11-6 to clinch the title and be crowned the 2007 Liebherr Chile Open Men’s Doubles champions.