Belarus table tennis player Vladimir Samsonov proved himself the top European player during his run through the Olympic tournament, with wins over paddlers out of Sweden, Great Britain, and Germany en route to the semifinals.
However, when it came time to prove himself against the Asian paddlers, the premier players of the world in the sport, Samsonov wilted, falling first in the semifinals to Jike Zhang, and then, in the bronze medal match, the Belarus native lost his medal chance with a loss to Jun Mizutani. Both losses came in five games as the Asian table tennis players once again proved they are the best in the world.
Japan is a fairly new power in table tennis, as the bronze medal for Mizutani represented just their second table tennis medal ever, both coming in the past two Olympics. It was their first medal in a singles tournament, both men and women's. The win came a night after Japan was denied a bronze medal in the Women's Singles. Mizutani had little trouble with Samsonov, winning 11-4, 11-9, 6-11, 14-12, 11-8 to claim the medal for Japan.
Mizutani cruises over lifeless Samsonov in Game 1
Wanting to rebound from his tough semifinals loss, Mizutani came out firing on all cylinders in Game 1. Standing in stark contrast was Samsonov, who looked unenergized and lethargic in the opening game of one of the biggest matches of his career. Mizutani took the first three points of the game, pumping his fist and yelling with each point. Samsonov responded with two points, but didn't appear energized. Mizutani put the game away with four straight points, all on Samsonov errors, to extend his lead to 7-2. Samsonov managed just four points in the opener, as the Japanese paddler needed just one game point, polishing off his statement victory with a sizzling backhand smash to seal the 11-4 victory.
Samsonov stronger, but unable to hold onto lead
After his ugly first game, Samsonov came out ready to play in Game 2, taking two points off of Mizutani's serve to begin the game, verbally expressing his excitement with each point. The Belarus paddler was able to jump out to a 4-1 lead, but he couldn't hold the advantage. Mizutani rebounded with five straight points, several of those coming off of errors off of Samsonov's paddles. Down 7-5 at one point, Samsonov rallied for four straight points, courtesy of Mizutani errors. Up 9-7, Samsonov had a chance to win if he swept Mizutani's serve.
However, it was the Japanese player that swept the serve. Mizutani halved the lead on a hard smash after a tough looping return from Samsonov. Then, attempting to move to game point, Samsonov dropped a lengthy rally, lifting one return too far and evening the game at 9 points apiece. The Belarus paddler got back on his serve, but he couldn't do anything with the service either. He returned two of Mizutani's shots into the net, giving away the victory to the Japanese player.
Crowd rallies behind Samsonov in victorious Game 3
Samsonov, desperately needing a victory in Game 3, had the crowd rally behind him as he used a mid-game run to earn a victory and cut his deficit to 2 games to 1. Tied 4-4, Samsonov benefited from a lucky bounce as his shot tipped the top of the net and dribbled over, leaving Mizutani no chance at returning the shot. The point boosted the Belarusian, who scored the next three points on errant returns from Mizutani.
The crowd grew louder and more elated with each point scored by the European, beginning to chant his name as Samsonov grew nearer to earning his first victory over Mizutani. Unlike in Game 2, Samsonov did not allow Mizutani to get back into the game, increasing his advantage to 10-5. Mizutani saved the first game point, but Samsonov earned the victory on the second game point.
Mizutani negates Samsonov's comeback
Mizutani, upset after his Game 3 loss, came out reenergized in Game 4, hitting several hard smashes that forced short and errant returns from his Belarusian opponent. Samsonov recovered from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game at 4 points apiece, but Mizutani recovered for three straight points to earn a 7-4 lead. Mizutani would increase the advantage to 9-5, but Samsonov went on a huge run, scoring five straight points to earn a game point. The streak was energized with two massive smashes off the paddle of Samsonov. However, on Game point #1, Samsonov made an errant return on an excellent shot from Mizutani. Samsonov earned game points at 10-11 and 11-12, but muffed both chances, continuously giving Mizutani extra chances.
After saving a game point and evening the game at 12, Mizutani induced a long return from Samsonov to earn a game point himself. Unlike the European, Mizutani did not waste his opportunity, his looping return catching the edge of the table and diving off to give the Japanese paddler the victory.
Mizutani controls Game 5 clincher
After putting himself in an early 2-0 hole, Mizutani took control of Game 5 by winning seven of the next eight points, including the next five points. Up 5-3, Mizutani earned two more points on excellent forehand winners to really put himself in cruise control. Samsonov narrowed the gap to two points twice, (8-6 and 9-7), but Mizutani would ultimately earn 3 bronze medal points for himself. Samsonov saved one point, but he would eventually slice a shot into the net, sending Mizutani rolling onto his back in celebration, as a host of his fellow Japanese Olympians celebrated with him.