Asian T-T: China to lock horns with Japan in final

India's top star Sharath Kamal puts up a spirited effort against world no.5 Wang Liqin

Defending champions China scripted a 3-1 win over Hong Kong in the semi-finals to march into the final of the Champions Division in the 19th Asian Table Tennis Championships in progress at Lucknow. China will face tournament's last edition's runners-up Japan, which beat Chinese Taipei 3-2 in the semis, for the title clash which will take place from 7.00 pm on Thursday.

Talking of the hosts, it was India's Achanta Sharath Kamal who stole the show. In its quarter-final match against table tennis "powerhouse" China, though India had to face a 3-1 defeat, however, the performance of Olympian Sharath Kamal was a treat to watch. China took the lead with world number 5 Wang Liqin essaying a comfortable 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 victory against India's Soumyadeep Roy. However, it was Sharath Kamal who brought India at parity by registering an 3-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9 victory against China's Wu Hao. World no. 2 Ma Long dominated over Sourav Chakbraborty of India and outclassed him by 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 to tilt things in China's favour again. The fourth game was a keenly contested one as Sharath Kamal gave a tough fight to Wang Liqin before going down fighting. Liqin triumphed 13-15, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-6.

Wang is an extremely talented player. More than his win over Wu Hoa, Sharath, the world no. 70, needs to be given credit for giving Wang Liqin a good competition. While, Wu Hua is an unranked player and had not participated in any pro tour event, Liqin is world no. 5 and has been world champion thrice.

Sharath appeared a bit dejected and drained out after the match. The confidence of 27-year-old can be gauged from the fact that he confided soon after the game, "Yes, I had victory in mind." Nevertheless, this performance is an achievement for Sharath, that he made the most of it when he got an opportunity to rub shoulders against a player of the calibre of Liqin.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Archana’s ‘golden’ return adds colour to National Sports Day revelry

‘Will make full use of training’

More attention needed at grassroots level: Nassiri

Sourabh to face Taufik in final