Dishang 2020 ITTF Men’s World Cup
There will be no European players on the last day of the Dishang 2020 ITTF Men’s World Cup at the Weihai Nanhai Olympic Sport Centre. Swede Mattias FALCK and Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV successfully overcame their Round of 16 adversaries but failed on next hurdle.
In the quarterfinal Chinese star World champion MA Long overcame 2017 Men’s World Cup winner Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (11-9 11-4 11-7 7-11 11-5). Previously Dimitrij succeeded in seven games thriller against Liam PITCHFORD (12-10 9-11 4-11 11-5 13-11 11-13 11-7).
“I played a very tough match against Liam today who played very well yesterday and gained some confidence from his victories. I am happy I could win despite the difficult circumstance stacked against me. Having been competing at the highest level since 2005 2006 I enjoyed some time being at home with my family after 15 years but it was not an easy period ” explained OVTCHAROV.
FALCK lost by Japan’s Tomokazu HARIMOTO (11-9 11-8 11-9 4-11 11-9) in the quarters. Swede also came from the full distance encounter from previous round. He beat Hong Kong’s WONG Chun Ting (8-11 11-7 14-12 10-12 11-6 11-13 17-15).
“I expected a tough match the last time we also played a 4-3 match down to the last 2 points. I was leading in the 6th games the difference were small margins but i was trying to focus on my own game so that I could come out in the 7th strong and believe in myself. Wong is one of the few pen-holders left and it is always hard playing against this kind of opponent ” said FALCK.
MA Long will meet HARIMOTO in the semis.
“Although I won 4-1 against OVTCHAROV I do not think it was a very big difference from the earlier match against JORGIC it is just that I felt more focused on the match compared to the morning duel. I am actually looking forward to the match against HARIMOTO as he is one of our biggest adversaries. I lost to him last year in the men’s World Cup hope I can do better tomorrow” said MA.
In the Round of 16 MA Long overcame Darko JORGIC (11-7 12-14 11-9 11-13 13-11 11-3) whilst HARIMOTO beat Robert GARDOS of Austria (11-3 11-7 12-10 11-8). Chinese Taipei’s LIN Yun-Ju prevailed in the match against Germany’s Patrick FRANZISKA (15-13 8-11 11-7 8-11 11-6 11-2)
