Crowned champion in Seoul in December 2010 at the KAL Cup Pro Tour Grand Finals; Japan’s 22 year old Jun Mizutani once again showed his liking for Korea at the GAC GROUP 2012 Kuwait Open on Saturday 18th February.

Seeded no.2, he beat Ryu Seung Min, the no.5 seed, in the final of the Men’s Singles event at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Kuwait Open to collect the prestigious title.

Jun Mizutani recovered from an opening game deficit to post a very impressiuve five games victory and bring joy to Japan. He won 5-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 , 11-6.

Third Success
It was his third such success on Tour, having in 2008 being crowned champion in Korea and two years later in Budapest, succeeding at the Hungarian Open.

Problems Against Left Handers
Arguably Jun Mizutani started as the favourite. 

Ryu Seung Min has experienced problems against similar left handers; using just one side of the racket, the natural forehand top spin stroke of the left hander flies across the diagonal into the body of the Korean star.

Executing his favoured forehand can be much more difficult against a left hander than a right hander.

Enjoyed Success
However, in world ranking events he had enjoyed success against Jun Mizutani but the pair had never met in recent times and age must be considered. 

Ryu Seung Min is almost seven years older than Jun Mizutani and, on the occasions they met, Ryu Seung Min was Olympic champion, Jun Mizutani was still an aspiring teenager.

Previous Duels
In June 2006, Ryu Seung Min won when they met in the third round of the Men’s Singles event at the Volkswagen Open Korea.

One year later to the very month, when they crossed swords again at the Chinese Taipei Open, Jun Mizutani recorded a stunning victory in the second round before Ryu Seung Min redressed the balance.

He overcame Jun Mizutani at the semi-final stage on the men’s event at the Evergrande Real Estate World Team Championships in the Chinese city of Guangzhou.

Fast Start
True to his nickname of “Speedy Gonzales”, Ryu Seung Min made a lightning start to win the opening game; he was positive and seized every opportunity to execute his forehand.

Any service that drifted long was from Jun Mizutani was dispatched with the utmost severity.

Jun Mizutani responded by directing the early attacks in the rallies towards the body of Ryu Seung Min; he won the second game to level matters.

Continued Policy
In the third and fourth games Jun Mizutani continued the policy of pummelling the Ryu Seung Min backhand.

After winning the third game he stood level at 9-all with the Korean in the fourth game; Yoo Nam Kyu, the Korean coach sitting courtside called “Time Out”.

The break worked but not for Korea, Jun Mizutani stayed close to table, won the next two points and established a telling lead.

Exciting Rallies
Exciting rallies continued, both players straining every sinew to execute fore hand top spins.

However, Jun Mizutani was in the ascendancy; he established a 10-6 lead, four match points, only one was needed.

In Control
Success for Jun Mizutani and congratulations to all players; no player was disqualified for a racket irregularity.

A total of 356 tests were carried out, 232 after match tests, 67 prior match tests and 57 voluntary tests; there were only two failures, both being voluntary tests

Source: http://www.ittf.com/_front_page/ittf_full_story1.asp?ID=26985&Competition_ID=2117&

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