On the third day of the play at the World Singles Qualification Tournament in Doha three more players booked their tickets for the Olympic tournament in Tokyo. WANG Yang of Slovakia Bence MAJOROS of Hungary and Lubomir JANCARIK of Czech Republic joined Swede Linda BERGSTRÖM Russia’s Polina MIKHAILOVA Netherland’s Britt EERLAND and Monaco’s YANG Xiaoxin who secured their places day earlier. In the final of the first phase in Group 2 Bence MAJOROS the no.15 seed overcame Florent LAMBIET of Belgium the no.32 seed in five games (6:11 7:11 9:11 11:8 8:11). “During the game I was much calmer. I felt I just wanted to get through it – either way but obviously I’m very happy that I could win. It’s a dream come true. Before I came here it was a difficult period because I was injured and couldn’t practice a lot and my start at the Middle East Hub and this event was really in danger. But I was just very happy that I was able to play and control my emotions. I was just really focused and present ” said Bence MAJOROS. WANG Yang the no.6 seed justified his rankings to overcame Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece the no.10 seed (11:3 5:11 9:11 11:6 6:11 7;11). Lubomir JANCARIK the no.30 seed added another good win on his account. In the ultimate battle for the place in Japan he overcame KOU Lei of Ukraine the no. 12 seed (11:5 14:12 11:9 11:6). Previously he overcame the top seed Liam PITCHFORD and Spain’s Alvaro ROBLES the no.18 seed.

Four places for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are booked after second day of play at the World Singles Qualification Tournament in Doha. Swedish no.17 seed Linda BERGSTRÖM Russia’s star Polina MIKHAILOVA Netherland’s Britt EERLAND and Monaco’s YANG Xiaoxin will leave Qatar with the tickets for Tokyo in their pockets. BERGSTRÖM successfully claimed her ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with a great 4-1 win over second seed from Ukraine Margaryta PESOTSKA (11-7 13-11 9-11 11-7 11-9). “I have no words it was unbelievable hard to describe. I had decided before all of my matches that I should just go in and be offensive and I think I did just that. There were so many strong players in the previous rounds who will continue in the next one so I felt it was important that now that I had the chance to take this spot that I took it “said BERGSTRÖM. Polina MIKHAILOVA also created an upset but on lower magnitude; the no. 5 seed from Russia proving too strong for Thailand’s Suthasini Sawettabut no.3 seed (11-8 11-6 9-11 11-9 7-11 11-8). “I’m just so happy right now and still cannot believe this has happened. It is a very difficult tournament and I am just very happy to have qualified ” said MIKHAILOVA. Top seed Britt EERLAND overcame Spanish no.16 seed Galia DVORAK (11-5 12-10 12-10 11-7) whilst Monaco’s YANG Xiaoxin no.4 seed beat Spain’s Maria XIAO (14-12 8-11 4-11 11-7 11-3 9-11 12-10). The names of the finalists of the Men’s Singles Event at the World Singles Qualification Tournament in Doha are known and the outcome of the semifinals did not come free from the upsets. Liam PITCHFORD of England suffered by the hands of Lubomir JANCARIK of Czech Republic (6:11 11:2 11:13 11:9 7:11 10:12). “It was up and down from the beginning. I was thinking that the match is going to be like this and it was exactly as I thought. I’m very happy I won. In the end I was lucky with the last point and I believe I needed this point. And for the next match – anything is possible ” said JANCARIK. In the final tomorrow JANCARIK will meet KOU Lei of Ukraine. In very close encounter KOU beat Niagol STOYANOV of Italy in penultimate stage (11:6 11:8 14:16 11:3 12:10). After win over Paul DRINKHALL Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia lost his semifinal match against Florent LAMBIET of Belgium (10:12 7:11 11:8 3:11 11:5 11:9 9:11). In the morning hours Ovidiu IONESCU of Romania withstood spiritual recovery from Daniel HABESOHN of Austria to win quarterfinal match in seven games but on his second exit o the table he failed to repeat the success. In another seven games thriller he lost to Bence MAJAROS of Hungary (8:11 11:5 11:7 11:4 9:11 9:11 7:11). In third group finalists are Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece and WANG Yang of Slovakia. GIONIS beat Kirill SKACHKOV of Russia (11:6 6:11 9:11 20:18 7:11 11:5 8:11);WANG proved too strong for Adam SZUDI of Hungary (7:11 7:11 11:7 11:8 8:L11 7:11). Despite the defeat all the semifinalists will play in the second phase of the tournament for one remaining place for Tokyo.  

The World Singles Qualification Tournament in Doha entered the second day with the great win for young Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia. Russia’s teenager no.45 seed recorded six games win over the no.14 seed from Great Britain Paul DRINKHALL (14-12 7-11 11-5 11-9 13-15 13-11). ” This match was difficult for me because I was not even supposed to play this tournament! SHIBAEV and SKACHKOV were meant to play here but SHIBAEV got injured in the WTT Contender. I had my return flight booked for 5 March but my coach told me not to go home but to stay here until the 18th. I told him come on I don’t even have rubbers for more than one tournament! So I stayed and played this Olympic qualification tournament for the first time and of course it’s very stressful. It was the same for Paul DRINKHALL it was stressful for him as well because this is a very important tournament as only four players can qualify for the Olympics. So I felt unbelievably under pressure like I said it is for the Olympics! I am just really happy that I could keep up with the pressure until the end. You could see almost every set was 10-10. Then I was leading 3:1 and had two match points that I couldn’t convert so after that it was really difficult psychologically to play. But I am really happy that I could just keep this up especially against Paul who has so much experience so I am very happy with my win and I will just try to show my best in the next round ” said SIDORENKO. It was definitely good morning for Russia’s representatives. Kirill SKACHKOV beat Austrian no.3 seed Robert GARDOS in straight games (11-7 11-7 12-10 11-8). Facing a vastly experienced opponent seeded 10 positions higher SKACHKOV secured semi final spot where he will meet Greece’s Panagiotis GIONIS in the afternoon. Top seeded player in the Women’s Singles Event Britt EERLAND went full distance against Chile’s Paulina VEGA (11-8 5-11 8-11 11-7 11-7 8-11 11-6). She will meet Spain’s Galia DVORAK seeded 16th who halted Prithika PAVADE’s progress. However it was nothing but easy encounter against French teenager (3-11 12-10 11-6 4-11 11-9 9-11 11-9). For the men’s singles qualification three spots will be available for qualification in stage one. Entries will be split into three knockout rounds starting from the round of 32 with the winner of each knockout round qualifying for the singles event at the Tokyo Olympics. The losing finalist and semi-finalist from each of the three knockouts will then proceed to stage two where one final spot is available. The losing finalist and semi-finalists from each of the three knockout rounds will then be drawn into one final knockout round where the winner will eventually qualify for the singles event at the Tokyo Olympics. For the women’s singles four spots are available for qualification in stage one. Entries will be split into four knockouts starting from the round of 16 with the winner of each knockout qualifying for the singles event at the Tokyo Olympics. The losing finalist from each of the four knockouts will proceed to stage two where one final spot is at stake. The losing finalist from each of the four knockouts will be drawn into one final knockout where the winner will qualify for the singles event at the Tokyo Olympics.

The first ever official series of World Table Tennis (WTT) events the Middle East Hub concluded yesterday with the successful staging of both WTT Contender and WTT Star Contender with Doha showcasing a new era in table tennis and zero COVID-19 cases. The two historic events took place at the Lusail Sports Arena with WTT working closely with the Qatari authorities to ensure the new WTT style of events could begin during the pandemic that makes hosting events extremely complicated.ITTF CEO/WTT Director Steve Dainton said: “I am delighted that despite the many challenges of a global pandemic we are able to give our players fans and supporters across the world the opportunity to enjoy live competitive international table tennis at the elite level.  Our brand new events this year starting with the Contender series here in Doha are taking our sport to the next level for competitor and viewer alike.  “Doha was selected as the venue for the WTT’s first new-look competitive tournament because the Qatari authorities’ enthusiasm to host it together with the city’s 25 year track record of successfully hosting sporting and other international events.   “I would like to say a special thank you to the Qatari authorities and in particular Mr Khalil Al-Mohanndi the President of Qatar Table Tennis Association and WTT Director. Without his enthusiasm pragmatic leadership and visionary foresight we simply wouldn’t have been able to host this event.” President of Qatar Table Tennis Association and WTT Director  Mr Khalil Al-Mohanndi said: “Here in Doha we are very proud to be playing our part in making table tennis history. At a time of continuing challenge for us all I am delighted that we have been able to bring together some of the best players in the world to compete at the highest level.  “This is the beginning of an exciting period of modernisation for our sport and today we have taken the first step towards taking table tennis to the next level for both players and spectators.” Fans were treated to a whole new presentation of table tennis with the eight-sided court  centralised TV production sensational event presentation and a brand new savvy social media strategy that brought fans closer to the event than ever before. France’s Simon Gauzy was among the 125 professional players from 40 countries to have competed at WTT Middle East Hub and he was pleased with the new identity WTT has brought to revolutionise table tennis.  “It’s really cool with the black tables and blues lines. It’s amazing and something totally different from what we were used to seeing in the past. Obviously it’s also very nice for viewers to see this kind of set-up ” said Gauzy. Stringent COVID-19 management measures were in place to ensure the events remained safe for all involved. At the event and the pre-tournament qualifying participants had to maintain social distancing have PCR tests every six days and were required to wear masks at all times. These measures proved to be highly successful with zero COVID-19 cases recorded. Japan dominated WTT Star Contender singles events with Tomokazu Harimoto clinching the men’s singles title after defeating the surprise packet of the event Germany’s Ruwen Filus 4-2 (11-9 11-9 12-14 11-5 7-11 11-8) and Mima Ito securing the women’s singles title after beating Singapore’s Feng Tianwei 4-1 (10-12 12-10 11-7 11-8 11-6) to add to her WTT Contender title last week. “I’m very pleased with how I’ve played over the last two weeks in Doha. I lost to Dimitrij Ovtcharov in semi-final of the WTT Contender Doha. He is a very good player and was a better player on that day. But I’m very happy I made a good comeback in the WTT Star Contender Doha and won the title ” said Harimoto. Korea Republic stole the show in the doubles events with Lee Sangsu and Jeoung Youngsik prevailing over Spain’s Alvaro Robles and Romania’s Ovidiu Ionescu 3-2 (2-11 11-6 11-8 8-11 11-3) to win the men’s doubles title while their female compatriots Jeon Jihee and Shin Yubin overcame Japan’s Miu Hirano and Kasumi Ishikawa and Korea Republic’s to take home the women’s doubles title. Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching and Lin Yun-Ju won the mixed doubles after beating Jeon Jihee and Lee Sangsu of Korea Republic 3-1 (10-12 11-8 11-9 11-6). 

Germany’s Ruwen FILUS and men’s doubles pair Alvaro ROBLES from Spain and Ovidiu IONESCU from Romania both claimed silver medals at the World Table Tennis Star Contender Doha 2021. Ruwen FILUS clinched silver following a 4-2 defeat by Japan’s Tomokazu HARIMOTO (11-9 11-9 12-14 11-5 7-11 11-8) in the men’s singles at the Lusail Sports Arena on 13 March. Meanwhile Spain’s Alvaro ROBLES and Romania’s Ovidiu IONESCU lost 3-2 (2-11 11-6 11-8 8-11 11-3) to top seeds from the Republic of Korea LEE Sangsu LEE and partner JEOUNG Youngsik. In the women’s singles ETTU President Igor LEVITIN presented the medals to the finalists. Japanese no.1 seed Mima ITO emerged with her second women’s singles title of the WTT Middle East Hub beating Singapore’s FENG Tianwei no. 5 seed 4-1 in the final (10-12 12-10 11-7 11-8 11-6). Chinese Taipei’s LIN Yun-Ju and CHENG I-Ching emerged victorious in the mixed doubles final fighting back from a one-game deficit to beat the Republic of Korea’s LEE Sangsu and JEON Jihee 3-1 (10-12 11-8 11-9 11-6). This marks LIN and CHENG’s second title success in consecutive weeks winning the mixed doubles trophy at last week’s WTT Contender event.  In the women’s doubles final Jeon and teenage sensation SHIN Yubin 16 combined to devastating effect seeing off Japanese no.1 seeds Kasumi ISHIKAWA and Miu HIRANO (11-6 12-10 11-8). Ruwen Filus’ silver marked the end of a remarkable winning streak. After four successes against opponents who were much higher in the world rankings Fulda’s defensive ace suffered defeat in the match against HARIMOTO after a great fight in the showdown of the tournament. The number one seed repeated the top class quality game against Filus as he did yesterday in the semifinals against Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV who is 10th in the World rankings and lost 4: 2.       

Germany’s Ruwen FILUS reached the final of the WTT Middle East Hub – WTT Star Contender Doha. For the title he will play against Japan’s Tomokazu HARIMOTO the player who thwarted Germany’s hopes for all-German final by beating OVTCHAROV. On his way to the ultimate stage Ruwen halted the advance of Slovania’s Darko JORGIC (11:9 9:11 11:4 8:11 11:5 11:7). “After losing the fourth game after a high lead I was a bit worried. But I continued to put a lot of attack on and it paid off. I’m glad I made it to the final and I’ll do my best against HARIMOTO tomorrow. Maybe it’ll be enough ” said FILUS. So far the two opponents have played against each other twice: FILUS won the German Open in 2018 HARIMOTO prevailed at the Austria Open in 2019. Top seeded player in the event Tomokazu HARIMOTO avenged his last week’s defeat and overcame Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. Winning row of 8 matches came to an end for Germany’s player after six games today (8:11 11:8 11:8 11:13 11:7 11:7). Last week OVTCHAROV beat HARIMOTO in semis before he won the tournament. Jörg ROSSKOPF analysed: “It was a very high-class match. Dima played very well. But in the fifth and sixth game with 5:0 and 5:1 Dima was a little lacking in focus. This time the small points went to Harimoto that made the difference today. “ Elizabeta SAMARA also suffered defeat in the semi final. Singapore’s FENG Tianwei proved too strong (8:11 4:11 3:11 5:11). Tomorrow in the final of the Men’s Doubles Event Alvaro ROBLES of Spain and Ovidiu IONESCU of Romania will play against LEE Sangsu and JEOUNG Youngsik of Korea. Today they overcame Japan’s pairings Mizuki OIKAWA and Yukiya UDA (10:12 11:7 11:5 6:11 13:15).

After the edge of the knife duels Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany and Darko JORGIC of Slovenia reached the semifinal at the WTT Middle East Hub – WTT Star Contender Doha. Ruwen FILUS and Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania did not lose the steam neither; both will be on duty tomorrow in the penultimate stage of their respective Singles Events. World’s no. 10 the winner at the inaugural WTT official event week ago beat Anton KALLBERG of Sweden in five games (11:8 12:10 13:15 10:12 9:11). KALLBERG saved five match balls before Dimitrij eventually halted his progress. For the place in the final he will meet Japan’s Tomakazu HARIMOTO World’s no. 5 the player who suffered by the hands of OVTCHAROV week earlier. It was at the same stage of the previous event. OVTCHAROV shook his head in disbelief after the match: “That was one of the craziest games I’ve ever made. Anton was very strong. He was three times in a row in the position to close the match. But that is the position that always brings best of me. I always stayed on high alert and somehow turned the game around. I’m still very perplexed and happy. “ In other semifinal Ruwen FILUS will meet Darko JORGIC. FILUS beat LIN Yun Ju of Taipei in straight games today (11:3 13:11 11:9) whilst JORGIC was stretched to full distance in the duel against Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden (11:7 4:11 11:5 8:11 15:17). The list of prominent victims of Ruwen FILUS is getting longer and longer. “We had never played against each other and I thought that works in my favor. However I would never have thought to win so clearly. I was quite nervous at first to stand on the Center Court is something special. I’m very happy to have reached the semi-finals ” said FILUS. ”Playing against Europeans who know my game well it’s a bit more difficult. The last time I lost to JORGIC but with my current shape I do not need to hide. Tomorrow I will go full throttle again.” Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania beat KIM Hayeong of Korea in by the very narrowest of five games margins (13:15 11:7 11:6 8:11 12:14).  

Round of 16 at the WTT Middle East Hub – WTT Star Contender Doha brought glorious moments for European players. The most notable wins were recorded by Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania Darko JORGIC of Slovenia and Ruwen FILUS of Germany. Darko JORGIC currently placed at the position no. 31 beat Hugo CALDERANO of Brazil in thrilling five games match. World’s no. 7 lost by narrowest of margins (8:11 6:11 12:10 11:7 13:11). For the place in the semis Darko will meet Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden. KARLSSON beat Simon GAZY of France in Round of 16 (11:6 11:7 11:6) in less stressful duel. Ruwen FILUS of Germany beat Jun MIZUTANI of Japan in another straight matches duel. “I am very satisfied I played very well today. I got into the game well attacked well and I was able to maintain aggressive play throughout whole match. However the result 3:0 predicted . In any case I am glad that there was not another game. Let’s see what happens in the quarterfinals. I have never played against LIN Yun-Ju. Being a lefty too his system is similar to MIZUTANI’S but he puts his opponents under much more pressure already with his serves and returns. I need to get into the open rally against him and then see what’s possible ” explained FILUS. National coach Jorg ROSSKOPF was also satisfied. “It’s a great success for Ruwen to win against Mizutani. He beat a top player with a lot of experience. It was a very good performance really strong. His victory was in no way endangered. Let’s see how far this all goes.” Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany who moved to position no. 10 this month beat Kamal Sharath ACHANTA of India (11:9 11:8 11:6) and he will meet Anton KALLBERG of Sweden tomorrow. Swede beat AN Jaehyun of Korea to continue his good run (11:3 11:5 11:9). Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania will be the only European player in the quarterfinal of the Women’s Singles Event. SAMARA currently ranked at the position no. 34 upset the rankings and halted the progress of Kasumi ISHIKAWA of Japan. World’s no. 9 failed to steal the game from determinate Elizabeta (13:11 11:9 12:10).

WTT Middle East Hub – WTT Star Contender The Round of 32 at the WTT Middle East Hub – WTT Star Contender Doha was full of upsets in both Men’s and Women’s Singles Events. Swede Anton KALLBERG and Russia’s Yana NOSKOVA were in charge for two of it. Anton KALLBERG overcame LEE Sangsu of Korea to reach the Rond of 16. World’s no 58 prevailed against player ranked at the position no. 22 and the player who he finished on the podium at the World Championships in both the singles and doubles event in 2017. Today LEE lost in four games (10:12 11:5 11:5 11:4). Ruwen FILUS of Germany also created upset by beating JANG Woojin of Korea placed 30 positions above German on place no. 12. FILUS won in four games (8:11 11:6 4:11 6:11). He moved further to meet Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI tomorrow. Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV is safely through to next round after straight games victory over Ahmed SALEH of Egypt (11:8 11:5 11:2). Next in line is Kamal Sharath ACHANTA of India to face World’s no10. Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden will also play tomorrow in singles. World’s no 29 overcame Liam PITCHFORD of England no. 15 in big battle that lasted for five games (12:14 11:3 7:11 11:2 11:13). Kristian will play against French player Simon GAUZY. Simon beat WANG Yang of Slovakia (11:2 11:3 11:7). After fantastic performance day earlier against CHUANG Chih Yuan of Taipei Pavel SIRUCEK of Czech Republic failed to repeat the success. Robert GARDOS of Austria halted his progress after three games (11:9 12:10 11:4). Darko JORGIC of Slovenia showed he is in great shape and overcame Marcos FREITAS of Portugal (11:8 11:6 11:7). The list of European players in Women’s Singles Event in the Round of  is a bit shorter comparing to Men’s Event. In the all European duel Yana NOSKOVA of Russia was in charge for big upset in the Round of 32. World’s no. 60 overcame HAN Ying of Germany currently ranked at the position no. 22. However HAN’s defensive skills put Yana to the great test and she was stretched to full distance (9:11 8:11 11:2 12:10 7:11). Romania’s star European champion from 2015 Elizabeta SAMARA showed no mercy against Ganna GAPONOVA of Ukraine (11:9 11:8 11:3).