Champions League Men | 9 Mar 2017
Borussia one step away from TTCLM final
Photo: Courtesy Borussia Dusseldorf
German side beat away reigning champion Pontoise 3:0 in the first semi-final leg
Reigning TTCLM champion AS Pontoise Cergy suffered hard loss from TTCLM record holder, ten times winner Borussia Dusselrorf, playing first semi-final game at home – 0:3 (5:9). Returning leg will be held on April 7th, at Dusseldorf`s ARAG CenterCourt.
It was a really impressive team work of German side, but Stefan FEGERL (World No. 21) deserves to be emphasized as a man of the match, bearing in mind that he paved the way for his team, as he defeated the best host player Marcos FREITAS (World No. 14) in the opener. Full hall enjoyed in the fight between two strong attackers. Each set was very tense and full of wonderful exchanges, but after all guest won in five games.
Recently crowned champion of Austria managed to reverse the score in the third set from 0:6 to 7:6, concluding the set with three points in a row. Portuguese leveled the score, thanks to fantastic rally in the late fourth set (10:8). It seems that the opening of the fifth set was decisive after all, as FEGERL kept his early advantage (4:1).
Current World No. 12 Timo BOLL, who won his 11th title in the German Championships last weekend, beat Tristan FLORE (No. 75) in the second encounter. Frenchman won the opening set, but after that German controlled the match. Host did a huge effort in the late third set when he managed to save two set balls, but it wasn’t enough. Guest regained his lead thanks to good serves.
Two team mates from Swedish national team and two partners from the bronze-winning doubles of the LIEBHERR 2016 ITTF European Championships, Mattias KARLSSON (World No. 24) and Kristian KARLSSON (World No. 32) met in the third clash. Former Pontoise`s player Kristian KARLLSON won after full five games.
2016/17 TTCLM semi-final, 1st leg
AS PONTOISE CERGY – BORUSSIA DUSSELDORF 0:3
Marcos FREITAS – Stefan FEGERL 2:3 (11:9, 7:11, 9:11, 11:8, 8:11)
Tristan FLORE – Timo BOLL 1:3 (11:6, 5:11, 10:12, 8:11)
Mattias KARLSSON – Kristian KARLSSON 2:3 (6:11, 11:8, 4:11, 11:8, 6:11)
