Ariel Hsing And Pierre-Luc Theriault - 2012 North American Cup's Champions

Ariel Hsing managed to defend the title at foreign soil after beating Mo Zhang at the 2012 ITTF North American Cup held in Mississauga, Canada. In semifinals Hsing struggled to beat her compatriot Erica Wu by 4:2, while the Canadian player defeated Judy Hugh by the same score. 

In the final Hsing took the lead after winning the first two games by 13:11 and 12:10. However, Zhang recovered and got the third game by 11:5. Ariel Hsing reacted and put the score 3:1 by taking the fourth game by 11:9. The current Pan American champion didn't give up and leveled the score after winning the mext two games by 11:4. The seven game was so close that they reached the tie-break, where the American player emerged successfully by 12:10. 

In the men event Canada's Pierre-Luc Theriault clinched the gold medal by defeating his compatriot Andre Ho in the final. Theriault progressed to teh final after sweeping United States' Timothy Wang by 4:0, while Ho didn't have an easy job in semifinals because he went to great lenghts to beat American Adam Hugh by 4:3. 

In the final Theriault had a weak start as Ho got the first ga,e by 11:8 but Theriault leveled by 11:9. Then Ho came back into the game and put the score by 3:1 after winning the next two games by 11:9. However, Theriault didn't surrender, just like his compatriot Mo Zhang, and leveled the score by 11:7 and 11:8. But Theriault manage to kept his rhythm in the deciding game and secured his victory by 11:7. 

Photo and info. source: timesunion.com - ittf.com