by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

In the opening game Ovidiu Ionescu and Alvaro Robles matched Fan Zhendong and Lin Gaoyuan; perhaps if there was a key, the faded forehand from Fan Zhendong wide to the Ovidiu Ionescu backhand was a prominent feature. Equally late changes of direction from the Romanian’s forehand played down the line, left Lin Gaoyuan gasping for thin air.

Win a close game and confidence blossoms, it is a well-worn adage but proved very true for Fan Zhendong and Lin Gaoyuan; they made an electric start to the second game, they never looked back.

Confident in the third game Fan Zhendong and Lin Gaoyuan moved ahead 4-1; Ovidiu Ionescu and Alvaro Robles called “Time Out” and walked to the surround for advice from Denmark’s Jonathan Groth who was fulfilling the role of coach; a true European international team!

However, the writing was on the wall, the magic of two days earlier was not to be repeated; at 10-3, Fan Zhendong and Lin Gaoyuan held seven match points. Ovidiu Ionescu and Alvaro Robles won the next point but no more; the title belonged to China.

“I feel fine; this is my hometown, the crowd was very enthusiastic. I could feel their support, I was excited. I feel I did well in today’s match; when I met some difficulties on court, the passion of the fans provided me with more confidence. Now, I will go home and spend time with my parents.” Lin Gaoyuan

Notably for Fan Zhendong and Lin Gaoyuan it was their first appearance in an ITTF World Tour Men’s Doubles final as a pairing; more remarkably for Ovidiu Ionescu and Alvaro Robles it was their first appearance in any tournament!