But Harimoto claims his final spot!

This is a monumental moment – Tomokazu Harimoto has just eliminated Ma Long from the Men’s World Cup to make the final, beating the Chinese 4-2 (11-6, 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 4-11, 11-5)!

It is a display of sheer class and work ethic on the part of the Japanese who truly covered every inch of that table with his variant shot-making and relentless returns against a legendary figure like Ma Long. While the veteran gave him a real scare towards the end, the teenager truly came good on his talent today and is now within touching distance of the golden trophy.

Ma finally roars

Talk about poking the Dragon – China’s Ma Long seems to have finally woken up and roared to win the fourth and fifth games of this epic semi-final of the Men’s World Cup!

Winning his first game of the match 11-8, he quickly sped through Harimoto’s defensive stance in the next one (11-4) – needing less than 7 minutes – and brought the overall score to 3-2. Has the momentum turned in the veteran’s favor?

Harimoto smells the final

It’s officially time for the Dragon to wake up – or it might be too late! Tomokazu Harimoto has won a third game in a row to establish a 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-8) lead over Ma Long in the semi-finals!

In the shortest game yet, lasting 8 minutes, the 31-year-old Ma looks short for answers to the questions the teenager Harimoto is posing. Whether it is his looping forehand or the speed of his returns, the Japanese sensation has truly taken this game by the scruff of the neck!

Make that two!

The 16-year-old Harimoto has certainly turned up the decibel levels here at the Sichuan Gymnasium as the fans can barely believe what is happening. Taking a second consecutive game against Ma Long, the Japanese prodigy has set the cat amongst the pigeons.

His work rate being off the charts, Harimoto surely must sense an opportunity to beat the World Champion – will he keep up the pressure?

Harimoto opens powerfully!

What a match we have on our hands today. It is the real contest between youthful exuberance of Tomokazu Harimoto and extreme experience of Ma Long. And first, the youth has made his mark.

Speeding through the points, Japan’s Harimoto has taken the first game 11-6 and left China’s Ma feeling dazed. How long before ‘the Dragon’ wakes up and roars?

Who will claim gold?