by Ian Marshall, Editor

Both pairs highly motivated, encouraging each other verbally with every success, the modern day backhand top spin return of service technique executed over the table very much in evidence; it was Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima who, at the second attempt, secured the opening game.

Nothing to choose, very evenly matched pairs, the second game ebbed and flowed; at 8-all it was parity, then a gap, Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima went ahead 10-8, the first game point was saved. The Japanese duo called “Time Out”; it proved a wise move, the players returned and Masataka Morizono, in particular, responded. He ripped a scintillating backhand across the diagonal to leave Jeoung Youngsik stunned.

Stung, Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu responded; in the third game they established a 7-1 lead; the advantage was never surrendered, the match deficit was reduced to one game.

A possible recovery, in the fourth game such an outcome was soon extinguished, Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima went ahead 4-1; advised by Oh Sangeun sitting courtside, Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu called “Time Out”. The break was not top prove beneficial for the Korea Republic duo, at 10-3, Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima held seven match points, at the second attempt they succeeded.

“Finally we managed to take home a title after being runner up for three times this year, what a relief. Now we are looking forward to the World Tour Grand Finals since we are in a great shape at the moment.” Masataka Morizono

Notably on the ITTF World Tour it was the 10th appearance for Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima in a Men’s Doubles final; moreover they stop the sequence of final defeats.

Prior this year, they had won on all six excursions in the title deciding contests, the first being in Olomouc in 2014. Now in 2018, it has been the reverse; in addition to the defeat in Australia, they were beaten in the final in Hong Kong by the host association’s Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting and in Bulgaria by China’s Ma Long and Xu Xin. In Linz, it was success at last.

Somewhat similarly for Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu, it was their ninth ITTF World Tour Men’s Doubles final; the first being in 2013 in Warsaw when notably Masataka Morizono was also involved, on that occasion partnering Kohei Sambe. The Korea Republic duo emerged successful and overall prior to the meeting in Linz, they had four times; significantly this year they were the runners up in Bremen, whilst in addition to Geelong, they won in Kitakushu.

Notably, Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu end the year in top spot on the Men’s Doubles Standings (1,069 points); Masataka Morizono and Yuya Oshima conclude matters in second position (907 points).