Momota Stunned In Hong Kong Open Semis
Zeeshan Mehtab Published November 17, 2018 | 03:24 PM
Top-ranked Kento Momota was sent packing from the Hong Kong Open Saturday after a stunning semi-final loss to South Korean Son Wan-ho
Hong Kong, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Nov, 2018 ) :Top-ranked Kento Momota was sent packing from the Hong Kong Open Saturday after a stunning semi-final loss to South Korean Son Wan-ho.
Son triumphed 18-21, 21-16, 21-19 in an exhausting 89 minutes -- the longest match of the tournament so far -- after seeing off a late boost from the exhausted Japanese star in the decider.
Momota led through the first game but slipped for long enough for his opponent to level at 17-all after conceding six consecutive points.
He kept the edge after the interval before Son broke into the lead at 12-11 with a gravity-defying let after a tap at net.
Momota evened with a backhand after springing back from prone position after a stumble but couldn't stop the sixth seed from powering ahead.
Son led through most of the third game but Momota kept at his heels, drawing level five times before an agonising miss on match point.
Momota has been in searing form since his return to the sport after a gambling scandal saw him slapped with a 12 month ban.
But the 24-year-old has had a slow run through the Hong Kong tournament. He beat Chinese great Lin Dan in the first round but complained of burnout after his first three matches all went to three games.
Son, 30, is through to his first top-flight singles final since his win at the 2016 Korea Masters.
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Sports
-
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
7 hours ago -
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
7 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
7 hours ago -
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
7 hours ago -
Bagnaia hits back with record Jerez practice lap
7 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
7 hours ago
-
Shahzaib Rind calls on Deputy Speaker Balochistan
8 hours ago -
Inter-university weightlifting championship kicks off at SAU
8 hours ago -
T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy unveiling ceremony held
8 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
10 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
10 hours ago -
New Zealand cricket CEO visits PSCA, expresses satisfaction over security arrangements
11 hours ago