Tomokazu Harimoto vs Sora Matsushima | MS SF | #EuropeSmash 2026

They actually played each other last week, didn't they? Champions Yokohama. Yeah, it worked out for Tomo Kazu, the champion of the champions. Down to the Nordic Arena, and he was a bundle of energy. I felt like I could charge my feet. He's set in respect. Street the other day, from behind, he just looks like, I don't know, a guy you'd want to walk you to your car at night. Wow, it's a big heavy. Sora's an engineer, Tomo, wait, other way around. Sora's an artist, Tomo's an engineer. So a bit more creative. And they both think plenty, of course, but the mental game on Sora's side is very interesting. Sitting when to go big, and yeah, I think Tomo's got the advantage there. I love an artist, spectators do too. Hey, nice goatee there. I see what you're doing, you, Harimoto, father of two women, excuse me, two players you're going to see today. Five game points, we have seen him come back recently. It's just so- The night before, studying their specific opponent. The first blood in this semifinal. Their overall, say, experience on the scene, Tomo's taken a lot of titles. Not a grand, but the way his head-to-head is with Sora, makes me almost want to look at the next round, but still a lot to look forward to here. One, oh. Harimoto, perfectly dressed, shirt tucked in, everything's the right color. And you look at Sora, it's just- It is a matching set, but it's the artist in him that prefers it. Unpredictable. Coming out a little bit of his proverbial shell. As you would think. Oh, interesting. Miku, since she was six years old, and she's crazy. Just for the record. She's world number one. That is point of the day so far. Crazy. Two net courts. Recovered every time, Sora from under the table. That backhand with the top and side spin, and now it's a piece. Where two smash finals are these two siblings throwing down. Wow. Matches this one here in last week in Yokohama against Sora. Often he sits behind the block and he can contain. So for me, I think Sora's the risk taker. He's the guy who just pulls shots out of, wasn't even an option land. And we said about this new mental strength that he seems to have had. He suffers setbacks now and in the last few months that 12 months ago, he wouldn't have been- This was about a year ago right here, if I remember correctly. Yusuke, we see, you say we see you. Love. Get that second game under his spell. That's why we top spin. That's why we have spinny rubbers and you can attack from even under the table. Look at that shot. The combination that's working for him. He's just turned it up a notch in both departments. Welcome quack back. Welcome back. You play the odds. You stack the odds in your favor. Tomo's done that time and time again. Oh man, nothing to be done. They weren't lobs. They came back with top spin deep. He is just a human highlight reel, this kid. Oh, he couldn't quite bring the- That's how you do it. Usually left shallow out in front so it's tough to lift and attack. And a little bit of frustration for Sora Matsushima. Last year though, where he lost to Wang Chuqin in the final. So both of these are experienced. Really quiet. Harimoto went two up, but this guy's just so, so special. Winning isn't always pretty. It's not always a highlight. The shirt. You know, how it's working out, what's working for you, and then just repeat it back to you. He's impressive about his matchup. And a yellow card. Oh yeah. I was about to say his matchup with supporting their man, but also trying to wind up the samurai. But he dealt with it really well. Just so you know that it's fair play with everyone. Insanity. That is how good that is. It was him covering the elbow time and time again. Oh, interesting. This is a person that you feel like, man, I wasn't in the best position. Those are the most exciting. That's when it was decided in the face of Sora. A bit surprising there. And this wonderful. Big forehand. Sora answers back. I'm still getting over the kiss. I don't know. Give me a minute here. But Sora. Yeah, I'm really curious to know about his, how China feels about him. He's definitely closer than most in recent history. Beaten him twice. For a minute, like the point was over. Back in this fifth game. Five. Still a two point advantage for him. Sora Masashimo's forcing Harimoto to defend wide here. Really wide. Look at that. Both directions we've seen effective, but simple serve. Presented the opportunity. That's what makes this a wonderful bluff game at this moment. That is unbelievable. And good thing for him that he did. This is one of those magical shots. And it just feels like the longer the rally goes, the faster the exchange. When a shot like this comes out, it's more devastating. Like a shot that leaves a stain on the brain and sets up two game points. That time won the point with going wide forehand. What a way to win the game. A backhand while sprinting at full speed from Sora. Full swing. Check this out one more time. He's out of position here. And on the move, his body. Hold up for a second. This crazy shot here. And one game away from the final. One thing that's noticeable. That's part of the reason he's been so effective and unpredictable. That you're used to other people playing more passively, more cautiously. Yeah, same again. Six of the last eight now for Sora Masashima. And he is. And again. Not even the great... And I remember saying it. Seems to switch off. The whole world better watch out. To turn things around in his favor. And he does have the... And he is getting closer. His margin for error now is so slight. But he gets that one back. And he's within two. Did Harimoto. To just hold that little run of points for Harimoto. More of that mental strength. Because this guy has just drawn. A magical point. Harimoto now knows he can't just block. He's got to try and counter. And he's fighting fire with fire out here. He's now 9-8 up. And this fight for a spot in the final. For the bragging rights. For supremacy. They're kicking lumps out of each other. But they are a serious threat. To world number one. Swung back to Harimoto. And this wonderful forehand that he's used. And 14 of the last 16 points have gone his way. This is must watch. Causes a little delay. Reverse pendulum serve. It's another magical point. Try to knock each other out with big power. But he's got a five point advantage. He is pointing. His hands in the front row. But this big dog. Harimoto is now two away from the final. And he's pinned this forehand as he points again. Six match points for the number four seed. Harimoto win the battle. And he's into the final. And look what it means to him. It was he who had to summon up the mental strength. Cause he was down to Sora. And whilst there's a lot of rivalry between these two. That was a good handshake. And there seems to be a new fire lit under this guy. As he points again to the fans and smiles. It became.