02/18/2012        GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour, Kuwait Open,

Winner of the Women’s Singles title one week earlier in Qatar, Chen Meng added to her trophy collection by partnering Zhu Yuling to victory in the Women’s Doubles event at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Kuwait Open on Saturday 18th February.

At the final hurdle, the duo overcame Chinese National Team colleagues, Chang Chenchen and Feng Yalan in six games to arrest the crown.

They won 7-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9 in a contest where all four players had the same distinction.

All at some stage in their careers had all been crowned World Junior champions.

font color="800000">World Junior Titles
Cheng Chenchen won in Kobe in 2004, two years later her partner, Feng Yalan succeeded in Kobe; then more recently in Bratislava in 2010 it was the top prize for Zhu Yuling; whilst even more recently in November 2011 in Bahrain, Chen Meng struck gold.

Unleashed Forehand
The team blue took the early advantage against the team in the red shirts, Chang Chenchen and Feng Yalan were in harmony.

Feng Yalan, right handed is noted for having a fearsome forehand, it is difficult to think of any female player who is stronger in that department; partnering the left handed Chang Chenchen, she was able to release her favoured stroke time and time again.

Architect and Killer
Chang Chenchen and Feng Yalan duly secured the first game but excelling over the table, near the net, Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling captured the second.

However, with Chang Chenchen in the role of the architect and Feng Yalan very much the killer in the words of Gao Jun, one of the most successful female doubles players of the modern era, Chang Chenchen and Feng Yalan secured the third game to regain the advantage.

Attacking from Backhand
Staying close the table and attacking quickly from the backhand, Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling did enjoy success.

They recovered to win the fourth game in a contest where owing to the familiarity of the players, the points were brief, there were few rallies.

Crucial Game
In the fifth game there was nothing to choose between the pairs; the crux of the matter was very much as to whether Feng Yalan could unleash her powerful forehand, when given the opportunity the odds favoured Chang Chenchen and Feng Yalan.

She had the opportunities but not enough by the narrowest of margins Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling secured the fifth game.

Time Out
Confident Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling moved ahead 4-2 in the sixth game, Chang Chenchen and Feng Yalan called “Time Out”.

Chang Chenchen and Feng Yalan levelled at 4-all but they were never able to establish a telling lead; at 10-6 Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling held four match points.

Three Match Points Saved
Three match points were saved, Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling called “Time Out”.

They returned to the table, a rally developed, Feng Yalan attempted a fearsome forehand; the ball finished in the base of the net; it was gold for Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling.