Champions League Men | 26 Oct 2013
Fenerbahce panting a little
The main candidate for the 2013/14 Women`s European Champions League crown, Fenerbahce had more problems than it expected against last, 8th seed Metz, playing in Istanbul. Turkish champion appeared without its best player, two times European champion Vikt
The main candidate for the 2013/14 Women`s European Champions League crown, Fenerbahce had more problems than it expected against last, 8th seed Metz, playing in Istanbul. Turkish champion appeared without its best player, two times European champion Viktoria PAVLOVICH (world`s no. 15), but even without her it was a clear favorite, having other three ITTF Top 34 players (CHENG and SAMARA are sharing no. 22, HU is no 34).
Somehow, Fenerbahce won 3:2, while guest`s most experienced player Yunli SCHREINER had no energy to provide big sensation despite 6:3 lead in ultimate set of the match, against CHENG I-Cheng. Turkish side has 2-1 score after three rounds, whilst French side continues with 0-3.
Yunli SCHREINER surprised world`s no. 34 HU Melek in straight games of opening match. Metz`s player controlled the game all the time, even in late second set when host came from 7:9 to 9:9. Everything was clear when guest took five points in a row in third set (4:2, 9:2).
Taiwanese CHENG I-Ching got a first point for the host defeating former individual European champion WU Jiaduo. World`s no. 22 did it in straight games, but after many problems in first two sets: in first WU led 9:8 whilst in second 9:5. Third set brought much better play of CHENG.
One of best European players, Elizabeta SAMARA (sharing world`s no. 22 with her team mate CHENG) had a big problem with young Laura GASNIER (no. 225). Guest was twice one set up, whilst Romanian couldn’t find her usual rhythm of play until the middle of fourth set. After that SAMARA controlled the match.
In fourth encounter word`s no 38 beat no. 34: WU Jiaduo – HU Melek 3:0. From the first moment German player had a lead, opening much better each of three sets, especially last one (6:0).
Finally, CHENG and SCHREINER came into the box to decide the winner. After many upside-downs guest opened very well fifth set (6:3). But, Taiwanese player answered by six points in a row to secure the victory for the top seed of WECL.
Fenerbahce – Metz 3:2
HU Melek – Yunli SCHREINER 0:3 (6:11, 11:13, 6:11)
CHENG I-Ching – WU Jiaduo 3:0 (12:10, 13:11, 11:6)
Elisabeta SAMARA – Laura GASNIER 3:2 (8:11, 11:3, 7:11, 11:5, 11:7)
HU Melek – WU Jiaduo 0:3 (10:12, 8:11, 6:11)
CHENG I-Ching – Yunli SCHREINER 3:2 (13:15, 11:3, 6:11, 11:7, 11:7)
