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Japan's Koki Niwa reached the final thanks to a 4-2 victory over Simon Gauzy.
Photo By: Table Tennis Report
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10/25/2009
2009 ITTF Cadet Challenge & ITTF Junior Circuit Finals
The semi-final encounter between local hero Koki Niwa and Frenchman Simon ended in favour of the Japanese. On Gauzy’s 15th birthday, Niwa, 15 days older, prevailed in six games.
Koki Niwa could write another chapter in the history of Junior table tennis. Never before has a player won the Junior Circuit Finals and the Cadet Challenge Singles events. Victorious last year as a Junior, he is given the chance to win the Cadet Challenge this year.
Almost Overheated
Until the 3-1 lead, the Japanese controlled the match relatively clear. However, Simon Gauzy did not give up, won the fifth game after a good time-out and obviously Koki Niwa’s blood vessels became too hot. The Japanese had to sit down for two minutes to cool down by putting ice on his nose and neck.
The incident, however, had no influence on his game. He had a fast 4-0 lead in the sixth game and although Gauzy tried to fight back, Niwa went through.
China’s Top Player Enters the Final
Yin Hang of China beat Sweden’s Hampus Söderlund in the second semi-final match. Söderlund won the close first and third games but the Chinese world number one remained focused.
Although Yin Hang does not play irresistibly in Tokyo, he qualified for the final and will challenge Koki Niwa.
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