Jeoung tops Gionis in Olympic table tennis instant classic
Jeoung Youngsik of Team South Korea reacts during his Men's Singles Round 3 match on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
By: Will Fowler
Posted at 10:46 PM, Jul 26, 2021
There was a point in Game 5 when Jeoung Youngsik (KOR) was behind 10-3 to Panagiotis Gionis (GRE) and needed to save seven straight match points just to avoid elimination.
If he was intimidated, he didn't show it.
Jeoung booked his place in the men's table tennis singles Round of 16 in Tuesday's early session, but it wasn't without drama. After falling behind three games to one to his veteran opponent, the Korean needed seven straight points in the fifth game just to prevent Gionis from making light work of him. Not only did he save all seven match points, he also won the next two to win the game and push the Round 3 tie to a Game 6 that seemed like an impossibility just minutes prior.
The 10-seed carried that momentum into Game 6, winning eight of the first nine points and cruising to an 11-5 win that sent the match to a Game 7. And when Gionis started stronger and won four of the first five points in the decisive final game, Jeoung again needed to come from behind to win.
He took seven of the next nine, saved two Gionis match points, and won it in thrilling fashion by a 14-12 score.
In what will certainly be described as one of the matches of the tournament, the Round 3 match had everything: two contrasting styles, a miraculous comeback, and a Game 7 that had everyone - including the match commentator - on the edges of their seats.
While Gionis' tournament is done, Jeoung advances to the men's singles Round of 16 where he will face off against Timo Boll (GER).