March 29, 2010
Magic Moment for Mizutani as a First Time Career Win is Recorded
 Jun Mizutani recovered from a two games deficit to beat Vladimir Samsonov Photo By: Qi Dazheng |
Courtesy of ITTF The moment came as the clock ticked towards 9:30pm in the Guangzhou Gymnasium as the 20 year old recovered from a three games to one deficit to beat the three times European champion in the first round of affairs at the Volkswagen Cup – Guangzhou. Jun Mizutani won 11-8, 9-11, 6-11, 3-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-6. |
Previous Matches
Prior to the contest in Guangzhou, the pair had met on two occasions in world ranking events with the man from Belarus never having conceded a single game.
However, the age gap must be taken into account; when they first met in November 2005, Jun Mizutani was only 16 years old whilst in August 2008 at the Chinese Taipei Open he had only just celebrated his 18th birthday.
Broke Sequence
Jun Mizutani may have suffered in the past against Vladimir Samsonov but in Guangzhou, he made the better start.
Trying to direct the return of service towards the backhand of Jun Mizutani he made errors and he did experience some problems returning the Jun Mizutani service.
However, once into a rally, he was the favorite.
More Confident
The first game went to Jun Mizutani but the second went to Vladimir Samsonov, to some extent he stole the game; he was in arrears on more occasions than he was ahead but winning that game undoubtedly boosted his confidence.
He found a rhythm to his play, retuned service better and reduced the number of unforced errors.
Control
Vladimir Samsonsov controlled the third and fourth games but in the fifth game Jun Mizutani reversed the roles; playing positively he was dominant and was matching the man from Belarus in the rallies.
Response
The sixth game was a close affair with Vladimir Samsonov making greater use of the table than in the previous games; he varied the direction of play but Jun Mizutani was equal to the task.
He captured the sixth game and a deciding seventh game beckoned.
Good Start
It was Jun Mizutani who made the better start in the seventh game, he won the first two points and led by one point at 5-4 when the players changed ends; his fast forehand after the service proving decisive.
Vladimir Samsonov was somewhat tentative as Jun Mizutani increased the lead to 9-5; somewhat in desperation Samsonov called “Time Out”.
He returned to the table in positive fashion but Mizutani was equal to the task; at 10-5 he held five match points; the first was saved, the second was not.
“In the second game I was winning 9-7 and lost”, explained Jun Mizutani. “That affected my confidence and I became passive, I was playing too safely.”
Certainly that changed in the ensuing games.
“Yes, in the seventh game I took some risks, I took some chances”, concluded Jun Mizutani. “Then in the seventh game when I got a lead I was more confident in the rallies.”
Certainly, confidence blossomed; Jun Mizutani was through to the semi-finals.
Jun Mizutani was through to the semi-finals.
Click here to view more results and information on the Volkswagen Cup-Guangzhou tournament.
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