Gavin makes it to the final four at Masters
Ping Pong ace bows out in tense semi-final
The Perth professional played well
Gavin Rumgay had a few aching muscles at close of play but thoroughly enjoyed his last four run at the World Ping Pong Masters.
The Perth professional entertained viewers on Sky Sports with his passion and energy at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry over the weekend.
His adventure at the newlyintroduced tournament was brought to an end at the semi-final stage by England’s Andrew Baggaley.
Rumgay had started superbly and led by two sets to one but eventually went down 10-15, 15-11, 14-15, 15-6, 15-7.
“Funnily enough I’d never actually played Andrew, which is incredible considering we’re two of the top players in the UK,” Rumgay said.
“I’ve only ever practised with him in the ping pong once. Both of us were a little unsure with how the match was going to go.
“I got off to a flyer and was out-powering him. I was a little surprised with that but he started to get used to what was going on.
“The final set was a £5000 one. I think I went 3-1 in points down, with a few nets and edges.
“When a top player like Andrew is ahead, he can relax.
“For me it was trying to keep the scoreboard as close as possible. I’ll now be resting up the next two or three days and by the end of the week my body should be fine.”
Rumgay, now based in London, had opened the competition with a last 16 epic against Matt Ware of England.
Resiliency and character were needed in abundance after falling two sets behind. But the fightback soon started.
Rumgay went on to advance following a five-set thriller 11-15, 14-15, 15-3, 15-12, 15-14.
He said:“I had played Matt in table tennis and had lost only once. He is seven or eight years younger and it does make a difference.
“He matched me physically and matched me for speed.
We cancelled each other out and it made it a very close match.” It set-up a quarter-final tie with Germany’s Genia Milchin, which he managed to win 15-10, 11-15, 15-8, 15-9.
“After the quarter final match, being able to jump into a bath within 10 minutes and get the muscles rested was needed,”Rumgay smiled.
“There were zero fans this time compared to 2000 in the Ally Pally. I wasn’t sure how that was going to affect me.
“But I felt as motivated as ever, helped by the walk-in and the suspense before the match. It was all good stuff and similar to the darts.”
After bowing out in the semi-final, Rumgay enjoyed the spectacle of the final between Baggaley and Alexander Flemming.
Flemming, known widely as ‘The Flash’, took control of the game and claimed the title with a 12-15, 10-15, 9-15 win.
Rumgay is looking forward to more opportunities in the world of ping pong and hopes to take part in a greater calendar of events in the coming year.
In terms of his table tennis, he remains signed for a professional club in Germany and, depending on coronavirus restrictions, plans to compete for them in the coming months.
Rumgay, who is 36 and remains Scotland’s number one, is still to decide whether he will be throwing his hat in the ring for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.
Gavin poised during the clash