Kanak Wow – JHA continues to semi -finals in Yokohama

(By Steve Hopkins, photo WTT)

Kanak Jha served beautifully, and his consistent rallies and shot made him the better player in the game, because Jha Dang Qiu surprised with three straight victories. Dang Qiu, perhaps with an emotional disappointment after beating World No. 1 Lin Shidong Like the Underdog a day ago he was heavily favored in this quarter -final match against the lower American.

With JHA with 3-0, Dang Qiu set fire to the fourth game that built up a 7-4 lead. At that time a lead was argued, but went to Jha. The break may have influenced Dang Qiu, because the 7-4 lead became 8-6 and then 9-9. A real chance for JHA to close the game with a back-back victory, but that wasn’t. Qiu got stuck to win both points to take his first game of the game. JHA now leads 3-1.

In the fifth game, Qiu was again the stronger player early – confident game, controlling the pace, making the stronger shots. Qiu leads 9-5 and sees JHA fight again to 9-7 and then 10-8 and then 10-10 with JHA portion. Jha wins a 6-shotrally with a large forehand to give him his first match point, and then a backhand sailing long and gives Kanak JHA the victory 12-10. Jha wins 4-1. It is his first victory over Dang Qiu, and the first time that an American has reached the semi -final of a WTT Champions series event.

Jha’s competition was one of the first of Sunday quarter-final match-ups. JHA now keeps the semi -final slot originally in line for Lin Shidong. He will be confronted with the winner of Tomokazu Harimoto and Xiang Peng. The other matches that still have to be played are Triels Moregard versus a Jaehyun and Shunsuke Togami versus Wang Chuqin.

Many matches that still have to be played – but at the moment it is Kanak JHA if the first to qualify for the semi -final.

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