The Official Website of the British No.1 and Triple European Champion
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MEN’S SINGLES BRONZE 12 Mar 2010 This years Open Men’s singles competition was the strangest (and it has to be said one of the most enthralling) in many years. Where as last year Paul well and truly showed his dominance to take the title for the second time, outclassing a clearly overwhelmed Baggaley in the final, this year was to prove to be a little more challenging as Paul failed to find his best game yet still fought and showed his class in the matches to follow, eventually coming out with a Bronze medal to add too the two gold’s and one silver already accumulated. Starting as No.1 seed and odds on firm favourite to defend his title, Paul was not troubled in making his way to the semi finals where he again faced the in form ‘man of the moment’ Liam Pitchford. It seemed the crowd were expecting a comfortable win following on from Friday’s meeting between the two, but Pitchford was set too show he is made of sterner stuff. Pitchford raced into an early 6 nil lead in the first after showing some fantastic over the table attacking skills. Paul didn’t seem to get going in the first and his opponent took the first end 11- 6. Our man was far from done however and replied with some strong attacking play of his own in the second to out power the young Derbyshire man, playing some classy mixed attacking shots to take the game 11 – 8. The third end was, in hindsight, the game that was to decide the match. Pitchford came out of the corner with ‘the eye of the tiger’ and went for an all out attack approach, forcing Paul away from the table time after time. Paul is on his day a master of turning defence into attack from distance, but clearly not finding his form this was not going to be enough against an inspired Pitchford – third gear was not going to be enough on this occasion. Paul saved 4 game points to draw level at deuce, but things didn’t seem to go his way at this point and he found himself beaten by the net on more than one occasion. To his credit he fought to get a game point himself at 13- 12 but again a well intended Pitchford forehand loop again found the net and the game somehow slipped away; 2 – 1 Pitchford. The next two games were shared one apiece, both players attacking fluently from both wings but again Paul never really playing the way we know he can. Loose touches that are normally a banker when Paul is attacking were drifting off the end of the court and Pitchford really rose to the occasion playing some great fast attacking shots himself. Paul fought like a tiger to take the 6th to set up a final clash in the deciding7th end. In these matches anything can happen. General standard to an extent goes out of the window; it’s a match of emotions, fight and it has to be said fortune and on any given day the outcome is truly unpredictable. After taking an early 2 – 0 lead it looked as though Paul would show his class and greater experience to move through to the final, but Pitchford played bravely – opening the game up and risking the power of Drinkhall in order to get his own quick backhand and deceptive forehand loop into play. On any other day this would have been potential suicide on Pitchford’s part but he’s either very savvy or alarmingly brave – perhaps a touch of both?! The gamble seemed to be working and Paul repeatedly didn’t find his best game as Pitchford’s really came together. It is often said fortune favours the brave; on this occasion the old saying was bang on. In the middles of the game Pitchford found the net several times when opening up, and Paul was unable to cope with the onslaught after returning several in a row in the following rallies. All credit to Liam though, he played positively throughout and showed great stroke making and newly found tactical awareness to finish the points off in style. Although Paul clawed his way back to 8 – 10 down against service, the comeback was not to be and Pitchford finished with some really consistent and strong attacking play to take the match and move into the final. In spite of losing the match, it was another tremendously successful weekend for Paul – four medals better off, two of which are the usual gold! It’s clear Paul didn’t really find his ‘top gear’ throughout the tournament but again showed signs off improvement, particularly when down and realising that things weren’t coming as easily as they can. It’s already been a long season and maybe this took its toll slightly. The only thing that’s really certain is that Paul will be back again next year, stronger as always and ready to justify his top billing in these Championships once again! |
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