Semifinals

Pradeeban Peter-Paul vs. Ludovic Gombos

Gombos is an often fiery competitor, sometimes distracted by off-court events. When the adrenaline starts flowing! But I think we all have been in that position ourselves, so no one can really consider that unique. Besides, having to play Praddy? Not all that ego-reinforcing, if you know what I mean. Peter-Paul plays very strongly in this match, not at all bothered by the fact that Gombos is a lefty. While Ludovic digs deep and fights hard, it’s Praddy’s match, 5, 11, 4, and 9. $320 for Gombos and on to the final for the Canadian!

Eric Owens vs. Xavier Therien

In retrospect, Xavier might have been better served to fight to stay at the table rather than give ground. Eric loves to send his opponents first one way and then the other, widening the arc until he has room to send a slashing attack through unanswered. Xavier is playing excellent table tennis, but game (15-13) after game (11-9) after game (11-9) he’s not able to break through to notch one of his own. Xavier, post-match, especially regrets that second game, when he held a substantial lead. “There’s a big difference between trailing two nothing and being tied at one apiece!” he observes. Xavier scrapes game 4 from Eric, 11-5, but that’s all there will be as Eric closes the door 11-3 in the fifth.