The 95th Austrian National Championships in Kufstein delivered thrilling performances, and a dominant showing from Simon PFEFFER, who collected two gold medals and a bronze. The player from Vorarlberg won the men’s doubles title alongside Alexander CHEN and the mixed doubles with Mariia LYTVYN. LYTVYN, representing Styria, also made headlines in the women’s doubles, teaming up with Julia DÜR to defeat the U15 European champions Nina SKERBINZ and Elina FUCHS in a tight 3-2 final. In the singles events, defending champions Liu Yuan and Andreas LEVENKO both successfully retained their titles with convincing 4-0 wins in the finals.
Andreas LEVENKO claimed his third national title in style, overpowering LIU Zhenlong 4-0 in the final.
“I’m really very happy, especially with my mental performance. I was in the flow, in the zone – it was my best final,” said LEVENKO.
Despite the loss, LIU Zhenlong was satisfied with his silver medal performance:
“It was only my second time at the Nationals, and I already have two silver medals. The turning point was the first game where I lost a three-point lead.”
In the semifinals, LIU surprised by defeating last year’s finalist and No. 2 seed Simon PFEFFER 4-2 after trailing 1-2. LEVENKO beat Alexander CHEN 4-2, having to recover after getting too relaxed with a 3-0 lead.
In the women’s singles, LIU Yuan claimed her fifth national title—an extra-special win, presented as a birthday gift for her husband and coach, BIAN Yadong. LIU dominated the final against Karoline MISCHEK 4-0, but it was her dramatic semifinal that stood out. Trailing 1-2 and 2-3 against 15-year-old Nina SKERBINZ, LIU found a way to win 4-3.
“Skerbinz was the big hurdle. Her talent is exceptional. I really thought I was going to lose, but I found the key in the end,” said LIU.
MISCHEK, who had beaten Amelie SOLJA 4-1 in the semifinals, commented:
“Her playing style just doesn’t suit me. She knows exactly how to crack me with her soft shots.”
SKERBINZ was thrilled with her first national medal:
“I almost beat YUAN. It was cool and exciting—I really enjoyed it!”
In the mixed doubles, top seeds Mariia LYTVYN and Simon PFEFFER came from behind to beat Karoline MISCHEK and Alexander CHEN 3-2. LYTVYN also won the women’s doubles title with Julia DÜR, overcoming the highly favored pairing of SKERBINZ and FUCHS 3-2. In the men’s doubles final, PFEFFER teamed up with CHEN to defeat LIU Zhenlong and Tobias TISCHBERGER 3-1.
95th Austrian Championships in Kufstein/Tyrol:
Women´s Singles, Final:
- LIU Yuan (OÖ) – Karoline MISCHEK (NÖ) 4:0 (8, 5, 4, 6)
Semifinals:
- Karoline MISCHEK (NÖ) – Amelie SOLJA (OÖ) 4:1 (5, 6, -8, 8, 2)
- LIU Yuan (OÖ) – Nina SKERBINZ (NÖ) 4:3 (12, -7, -8, 10, -12, 9, 7)
Men´s, Singles:
- Andreas LEVENKO (OÖ) – LIU Zhenlong (OÖ) 4:0 (8, 6, 8, 4)
Semifinals
- Andreas LEVENKO (OÖ) – Alexander CHEN (NÖ) 4:2 (6, 7, 7, -7, -5, 11)
- LIU Zhenlong (OÖ) – Simon PFEFFER (V) 4:2 (-8, 7, -6, 8, 8, 9)
Women’s Double, Final:
- Julia DÜR (S)/Mariia LYTVYN (St) – Elina FUCHS (B)/Nina SKERBINZ (NÖ) 3:2 (-4, 7, 7, -7, 9)
Semifinal:
- Julia DÜR (S)/Mariia LYTVYN (St) – Nicole PANHOLZER (OÖ)/Sophie PICHLER (S) 3:1 (5, -8, 7, 8)
- Elina FUCHS (B)/Nina SKERBINZ (NÖ) – Dorotheea ALEXANDRU (St)/Nicola SALZBURGER (T) 3:0 (6, 4, 5)
Men’s Double, Final:
- Simon PFEFFER (V)/Alexander CHEN (NÖ) – Tobias TISCHBERGER/LIU Zhenlong (OÖ) 3:1 (9, -9, 8, 11)
Semifinals:
- Simon PFEFFER (V)/Alexander CHEN (NÖ) – Franciszek KOLODZIEJCZYK/Julian RZIHAUSCHEK (NÖ) 3:0 (2, 5, 6)
- Tobias TISCHBERGER/LIU Zhenlong (OÖ) – Thomas COUFAL/Philip SCHWAB (NÖ) 3:0 (8, 5, 10)
Mixed Double, Final:
- Mariia LYTVYN (St)/Simon PFEFFER (V) – Karoline MISCHEK/Alexander CHEN (NÖ) 3:2 (-8, 10, 8, -4, 8)
Semifinals:
Karoline MISCHEK/Alexander CHEN (NÖ) – Dorotheea ALEXANDRU/Tobias HOLD (St) 3:1 (4, 8, -7, 7)
Mariia LYTVYN (St)/Simon PFEFFER (V) – Julia DÜR/Alexander DÜR (S) 3:1 (6, 3, -5, 1)
