Twice on the precipice of defeat, China’s 22 Xu Xin won the Men’s Singles title at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open on Saturday 12th February and thus retained the title won twelve months earlier, when the tournament was staged at the Qatar Sports Club. One year later in the opulence of the Aspire Zone, he recorded a stunning seven games victory against colleague Wang Hao.

In each of the fifth and seventh games, Xu Xin saved one match point before in the decider having one of his own; a chance he seized with grateful hands.

Middle East Success Again
Seeded no.2, Xu Xin beat top seed Wang Hao 11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 4-11, 12-10, 11-5, 12-10 to collect the fourth Tour Men’s Singles title of his career and his third in the Middle East.

In addition to winning in Qatar last year, he succeeded in Kuwait in 2010; the one other title being gained in Slovenia in January 2011.

Always Close
A tension packed contest; it was just as history predicted.

It was the fourth meeting in a world ranking event between Wang Hao and Xu Xin and on all three previous occasions the contests had gone the full seven games distance.

Pendulum Swings
In September 2008, Wang Hao had prevailed at the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event at the Panasonic China Open but three years later, in February 2011, at the quarter-final stage at the Qatar Open, the verdict had gone to Xu Xin.

One win apiece, later in 2011, in November at the same stage in London’s ExCel Arena at the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals, the pendulum swung again; this time in favour of Wang Hao

Speed Secures Opening Game
The electric speed of Xu Xin secured the first game; he was the faster player, the power of Wang Hao won the second as gradually Wang Hao established a rhythm to his play.

He has been forced to withdraw from the first GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour tournament of the year in Hungary owing to injury and perhaps at times in Doha he did not appear to be at full speed.

Fit and Confident
However, after winning the third game against Xu Xin, he appeared fit and confident.

Stopping the mighty Xu Xin forehand is vital; Wang Hao is one of the few players on planet earth who is able to combat the lethal stroke.

Often Wang Hao would play strongly wide to Xu Xin forehand, then immediately across the diagonal to make full use of the table; the tactic nullified Xu Xin’s master stroke.

Victory in Sights
In the fifth game, Wang Hao with victory in his sights stood level at 6-all with Xu Xin.

Striving every sinew to play his favoured forehand Xu Xin moved ahead 7-6 but Wang Hao recovered, he established a 9-8 lead, Xu Xin called “Time Out”.

Match Point Saved
Xu Xin levelled at 9-all; then match point to Wang Hao with a fearsome forehand. 

Wang Hao served short to the forehand of Xu Xin; employing the flexibility his wrist he returned using his backhand with a mixture of sidespin and topspin. The attempted top spin from Wang Hao finished in the net.

A lifeline, Xu Xin won the next point on his own service and in a similar manner to the way he had saved the match point, won the game.

Confidence Blossomed
Win a close game and confidence blossoms; certainly that was the situation for Xu Xin; he dominated the sixth game, a deciding seventh game was needed.

Had the loss of the match point adversely affected Wang Hao? We were about to find out and it seemed possible.

Deciding Game
In the deciding seventh game, Xu Xin made the better start; he won the first three points. Wang Hao called “Time Out”.

A shrewd move; Wang Hao won the next four points but at the change of ends, Xu Xin held a one point advantage. He extended the lead to 7-4; Wang Hao reduced the arrears to 7-6 and then levelled at 9-all.

Tension
Tension mounted; Wang Hao served and won the point with a fearsome forehand. 

A second match point and as in the fifth game, Xu Xin saved and then serving won the next point to hold his first match point. 

Champion Again
Wang Hao served a rally ensued with Wang Hao in retreat. Xu Xin was not going let his prey off the hook; a forehand wide to the Wang Hao forehand ended matters, Xu Xin celebrated, the title had been retained.

Source: http://www.ittf.com/_front_page/ittf_full_story1.asp?ID=26892&Category=General&Competition_ID=&

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