Chen & Chuang ruffle up the podium and how! (2013 Paris)

A major upset has taken place here in the final of the men’s doubles in Paris, as Chen Chien-An alongside Chuang Chih-Yuan have defeated Hao Shuai and Ma Lin in a stunning 4-2 (9-11, 12-10, 11-6, 13-11, 9-11, 11-8) win. 

Top seeds Hao and Ma were completely rattled in their place by the Chinese Taipei pairing, who most certainly did not have the idea of gold after losing the first game. However, seeded 7th, Chen and Chuang stood back firmly at the table and managed to bring balance to the match very quickly, and used that momentum to gain a foothold in the final. Soon enough, it was the championship point, after winning which their celebrations knew no end.

End of the road for impressive Matsudaira (2013 Paris)

Young Xu Xin was very effective with his pen-hold style of play as he eliminated the tournament’s surprise package in Kenta Matsudaira.

The Japanese has far outperformed expectations by reaching the quarter-finals and with the Chinese Xu’s 4-2 (11-8, 9-11, 6-11, 14-12, 11-5, 11-8) win coming with  clear hints that this was a lot closer than it seems. Still, the 40th seed Matsudaira can hold his head high as we all look forward to his next big adventure! 

All youth affair leads to all-China in the final!(2013 Paris)

Four exciting young athletes were involved in a thrilling semi-final here at the Paris World Championships, as Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen moved on to the finals after seeing off the immense talent of Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling. 

In a truly crazy match which went right down to the wire, these Chinese stars have surely played out an epic match which twisted and turned at every invitation. The score read 4-3 (11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 10-12, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9) in the favor of Ding and Liu, but at no point would you have been able to give a finite conclusion or prediction – and that is highest credit that can be given to these four!

In-form Feng and Yu unable to make final (2013 Paris)

Singapore’s Feng Tianwei and Yu Mengyu were unable to count on their good form in these World Championships as they were eliminated in the penultimate match before the finals, by China’s Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxia. 

Securing a 4-2 (10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4 9-11, 11-8) win, Guo and Li have now guaranteed gold for China, after a brave effort from Feng and Yu got them so far. There was a moment of hope for the Singaporean duo when they secured the first game, but the strong showing by Guo and Li washed any hopes away fast.