Sharath Kamal ACHANTA of India clinched the men’s singles title at the 2020 Oman Open in Muscat Oman with a 4-2 victory over Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS (6-11 11-8 12-10 11-9 3-11 17-15). In the semi final Marcos FREITAS needed exactly two seconds less than an hour to secure a 4-3 (5-11 11-9 6-11 6-11 11-8 13-11 11-5) win over Harmeet DESAI after the Indian truly showcased some amazing work around the table. The expedite system has worked a treat for top seed in the Women’s Singles Event Hitomi SATO who goes on to win every game after being called! Miyu KATO it would appear began to feel the pressure of the shortened rallies. One hour and 38 minutes was the final run-time for the all Japan’s final match which saw SATO take it 4-2 (14-16 12-14 17-15 11-9 11-8 11-9). Seeded two positions below their Belgian counterparts Serbia’s Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC and Slovakia’s Lubomir PISTEJ have defied expectations to claim men’s doubles gold. Combination of KARAKASEVIC and PISTEJ proved too good for top seeds Martin ALLEGRO and Florent LAMBIET (11-8 11-6 11-6). Honoka HASHIMOTO and Hitomi SATO have been crowned women’s doubles champions in Muscat following a devastating performance in the final. Starting out of the blocks with blistering pace the Japanese pair refused to slow down throughout the tie defeating the second seeds from Singapore zeng Jian and Lin Ye in straight games (11-3 11-9 11-7). Tristan FLORE and Laura GASNIER of France beat Spain’s Alvaro ROBLES and Maria XIAO (11-7 11-5 11-7) to claim mixed doubles gold. India’s Jeet CHANDRA and Japan’s SHIOMI won the respective under 21 men’s and women’s singles titles.
LIEBHERR EURO 2019 and Mecenat Chirurgie Cardiaque joined forces
Since its constitution the Organizing Committee of the Liebherr ETTC 2019 in Nantes wanted to work together with an association engaged in the field of the solidarity. As the opportunity occusres they agreed upon on a partnership on the occasion of a short meeting with Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque in Nantes. The commitment was made with Jean-Luc CHESNEAU and the aim was to help a child on her pathway to the vital operation. “Alongside all the promotion events before during and after the championships Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque was present. And this has allowed us to gather the necessary funding. With the participation of all our partners and sponsors the challenge was a success. We were very happy to be able to officially donate the sum of 12 000 euros on the occasion of the volunteers party on the 15th February 2020 ” explained in the name of the the Organizing Committee of the Liebherr European Championships 2019 in Nantes Claude BERGERET. This amount corresponds to the cost of the child’s entire stay in France for this heart’s operation.
ETTU provisionally suspend all international events between 16th March and 30th April
ETTU announcement From Monday 16th March 2020 European Table Tennis Union shall provisionally suspend all international events including the European Olympic Singles Qualification European Championships Stage 1 C groups Club Competition (Champions League and Europe Cup) matches and ETTU development activities that had been due to start between the above date and Thursday 30th April 2020.
ITTF suspends all activities provisionally until end of April
In light of the rapid spread of COVID-19 around the world the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has decided to suspend all activities provisionally until the end of April 2020. Following the declaration by the World Health Organization of COVID-19 as a pandemic and the increased number of international travel restrictions the ITTF has decided to suspend all activities provisionally with the health and safety of athletes coaches officials and fans as the top priority. The suspension comes into effect from Monday 16th March 2020 and relates to all ITTF sanctioned events High Performance and Development activities and ITTF Foundation activities that had been due to start between the above date and the end of April 2020. The ITTF Executive Committee will hold an emergency meeting on Monday 16th March to discuss the situation further and an announcement will be made next week regarding the ITTF World Tour Hong Kong and China Opens. The ITTF has also recommended to all Continental Associations to follow the ITTF’s decision. For any queries related to COVID-19 and how it affects ITTF activities please contact competitions@ittf.com.
Semi-finals of European Club Competitions postponed
ETTU Announcement Following recent developments concerning the spread of COVID-19 across Europe European Table Tennis Union has decided to postpone until further notice the 8 semi final matches of the European Club Competitions scheduled for early April. ETTU will monitor the situation and the Secretariat will work closely with member Associations and the 16 clubs involved.
Romania leaves Varazdin with 6 medals
European Under 21 Championships Romania is the most successful country at the European Under 21 Championships concluded last Sunday in the Croatian city of Varazdin as they won six medals: two in each colour. Romania’s player Cristian PLETEA has been unique player with two gold which he secured in Men’s Doubles (with Rares SIPOS) and Mixed Doubles (with Adina DIACONU). France is first behind Romania with five medals (2 1 2) while its representative Nolwenn FORT won two – one in each of two events Women’s Doubles (gold with Leili MOSTAFAVI) and Mixed Doubles (silver with Bastien REMBERT). Main prizes went to Russia and France as Vladimir SIDORENKO and Prithika PAVADE are crowned champions in singles events. Players final standings: Cristian PLETEA (Romania) 2-0-0 Nolwenn Fort (France) 1-1-0 Rares SIPOS (Romania) 1-1-0 Adina DIACONU (Romania) 1-0-2 Leili MOSTAVAVI (France) 1-0-1 Vladimir SIDORENKO (Russia) 1-0-0 Pritikha PAVADE (France) 1-0-0 Andrei PUTUNTICA (Moldova) 0-1-1 Andrea DRAGOMAN (Romania) 0-1-1… National Teams final standings: Romania 2-2-2 France 2-1-2 Russia 1-1-0 Moldova 0-1-1 Czech Republic 0-1-0 Belgium 0-0-3 Poland 0-0-1 Sweden 0-0-1.
Bidding open to host World Table Tennis events from 2021
The future of global table tennis is fast approaching with World Table Tennis (WTT) arriving in 2021. With a new exciting event structure in place now is your chance to grasp the opportunity of hosting one of the first ever WTT events and put on a show that will catch the eye and live long in the memory! Benefits of being a WTT host city WTT events are much more than a table tennis tournament. They are events that will entertain and captivate your city. Hosting WTT events brings extensive benefits to a host city region and country. From tangible financial and economic impacts through increased hotel bed nights and associated spending to destination marketing and increased levels of community engagement and social pride through volunteering participating and spectating. WTT is looking for national associations host countries cities and private entities to bid for these events aligned to their national priorities and event strategies. WTT is determined to build a strong network of partnerships across the globe to deliver an exciting future for table tennis. An inclusive sport table tennis does not require intensive infrastructure or equipment and is accessible to all. With entry places for host nations staging these events will give countries and governing bodies access to elite competitions and ensure that home-grown talent will be able to participate in these highly competitive events. Putting your city in the spotlight WTT event hosts will enjoy the benefit of connecting into WTT’s world-class promotion team and global network of fans. WTT events will not just be promoted in the traditional way through print and digital advertising but also through a myriad of modern promotional methods to obtain 360-degree boosting of your city through: Extensive global TV distribution (over 1 billion viewers for 2019 events) and world-class TV production run and managed by WTT. Integrated digital and social promotion through WTT’s 3.5 million fans. Player appearances in iconic landmarks of your city. Integrated TV features of your city. A beacon for table tennis’ global 500 million strong fan base to come and visit your city. Unrivalled activation for local brands to associate with global table tennis. Opportunities for global superstars to interact with the local community through school and hospital visits. New events. New opportunities! WTT has analysed the global entertainment market and liaised with all stakeholders to develop this modern event structure fit for professional table tennis players fans broadcasters sponsors and not least the host cities and countries. Grand Smashes The Grand Smashes are the new pinnacle of professional table tennis. Think Wimbledon for tennis or the Masters for golf. The world’s best players competing for the biggest prizes and highest ever prize money in the sport. Held four times per year these are the events that all players want to win and all cities want to host. WTT is looking for four different host cities to stage the prestigious annual Grand Smashes each event lasting 10 days. The desire is to have brand new purpose-built venues to provide a long-term home for these marquee events so that every year the city is taken over by a table tennis festival to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in the sport. WTT Cup Finals & WTT Champions Series Events purpose-built to entertain. With the whole tournament played exclusively on one table WTT is looking for hosts to use their imagination and take the sport to unusual and inspirational locations. These could be in iconic buildings such as New York Grand Central Station or the Giza Pyramids theatres nightclubs or facilities to show off a city or country at its best ideal for destination marketing and perfect for broadcast opportunities. The events will not only host world-class table tennis matches but also music dance or relevant cultural content to ensure that the events are delivered as a complete entertainment package and brand new experience for table tennis and sports fans. The enhanced broadcast and commercial income streams will benefit both WTT and the hosts. WTT Contenders Series These events ensure that all athletes are guaranteed a consistent platform of world-class competition with opportunities to develop their game and rise up the world rankings. Given the high number of participants at Contender events they will take place in purpose-built sports venues and stadiums allowing for a dynamic fan experience and strong broadcast product once more. High numbers of host country entries will also ensure that host countries can maximise the number of places on offer to their national players giving them invaluable top-level experience and development opportunities. WTT will be welcoming on board Stephen Duckitt as WTT Event Strategy Director. Duckitt boasts more than 15 years of corporate global sports industry experience including management and marketing of top international tennis events on the ATP World Tour and WTA International Series. Duckitt will work alongside ITTF Competition Director Vicky Eleftheriade to take WTT events to the next level ensuring the best possible experience for players and simply irresistible entertainment for fans. Tender timeline March 2020 – WTT releases promotional details to the market. Parties that register their interest will receive more information. 10th April 2020 – Deadline for potential hosts to submit their expression of interest. April 2020 – WTT releases Event Manuals and Final Bid Form to those who have registered an expression of interest. May 2020 – Potential hosts submit Final Bids. June 2020 – WTT evaluates Final Bids. June 2020 – WTT confirms hosts for 2021 events. June 2020 – WTT coordinates with potential hosts to conduct site inspections. July 2020 – WTT confirms commercial package. * Timeline subject to change. For more information contact us at events@worldtabletennis.com.
Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng crowned champions of the 2020 ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open
Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng crowned champions of the 2020 ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open China’s Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng won the respective men’s singles and women’s singles titles at the 2020 ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open in Doha on Sunday 8th March both players underlining their star quality that sees them occupy the world no.1 positions. On the penultimate day of action Ma Long and Xu Xin had combined to win the men’s doubles event while the women’s doubles title went to another Chinese duo Wang Manyu and Zhu Yuling. However there would be no clean sweep as Japan’s Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito secured mixed doubles gold. One month after suffering an unexpected quarter-final exit at the hands of Dimitrij Ovtcharov at the German Open Fan Zhendong capitalized on his first opportunity since then to return to winning ways clinching the men’s singles title in Qatar. The world no.1 defeated England’s Liam Pitchford over six epic games in the final (11-9 11-7 8-11 11-4 6-11 11-7). Fan survived a scare in the first round in Doha when he was taken to seven games by Sweden’s Anton Kallberg (7-11 11-6 11-13 11-5 7-11 11-8 11-3) but his title charge intensified after seeing off Sweden’s Jon Persson (11-9 11-9 11-7 6-11 12-10) in the quarter-final before winning yet another tight battle against China’s most promising teenage talent Wang Chuqin the no.9 seed (7-11 8-11 11-6 14-12 11-7 11-9). Wang had caught the attentions of the table tennis world when in the second round he overcame the reigning Olympic and World champion Ma Long the no.3 seed (13-15 14-12 4-11 11-8 3-11 13-11 11-6). By overcoming Pitchford in the final Fan regained his Qatar Open crown having previously won in Doha in 2018 and also sealed his 14th career title on the ITTF World Tour. “Today in the first game I was down 6-9 and then 0-4 in the second but I was prepared for such a situation before the match. He (Pitchford) has been in good form over the past few matches so I made sure to do my homework on him. I expected him to perform. His improvement and growth are there for the entire table tennis world to see. He is definitely an opponent to respect and be wary of ” said Fan Zhendong. The 2020 Qatar Open will forever be remembered as the tournament in which Liam Pitchford put himself within touching distance of a first ever ITTF World Tour men’s singles title. The no.15 seed became the first ever Englishman to reach the men’s singles final at an ITTF World Tour Platinum tournament by completing a stunning victory over China’s Xu Xin the no.2 seed (3-11 11-7 11-9 6-11 15-13 11-9) with what Pitchford later described as the “best win of my life.” The 26 year old from Chesterfield would then put on another show in the final against Fan Zhendong. “It’s never nice to lose a final or even a match but I can reflect positively on the tournament. I think I played well in the final. There were a few chances here and there that I didn’t take and you can’t afford to do that especially against Fan Zhendong but overall I think I played well. I tried to play positively with my backhand to his backhand knowing that in the forehand to forehand exchanges he was slightly favoured so I had to switch up my strategy. I think I did that and made him up his game. These are positive steps for the future.” – Liam Pitchford Earlier in Doha Pitchford had overcome two of the most experienced players in the sport: in the second round he accounted for Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus (11-7 11-7 6-11 12-10 8-11 18-16) the opening round winner against China’s no.4 seed Lin Gaoyuan. Then in the quarter-final Pitchford ousted Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan (14-12 11-8 11-5 11-7). Another play in form Chuang had eliminated Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto the no.5 seed in the opening round. Despite defeat in the final against Fan Zhendong this had truly been a tournament to remember for Pitchford who on the previous day also sealed a silver medal in the men’s doubles alongside Paul Drinkhall. The pair achieved the feat against all the odds having been required to qualify for the main draw. They were beaten in Saturday’s final by the might of Ma Long and Xu Xin (11-8 8-11 11-1 11-6) who thus secured their 14th ITTF World Tour men’s doubles title as pair 11 years after their first ever success together at the 2009 Qatar Open. More history for Pitchford and Drinkhall: they became the first English pair ever to reach the final of a men’s doubles event on either the ITTF World Tour or at an ITTF Challenge Series tournament. World no.1 for a reason Chen Meng has now won 17 out of 21 women’s singles finals on the ITTF World Tour after she defeated Japan’s Mima Ito the no.3 seed in Sunday’s showpiece (3-11 11-7 11-9 11-7 11-7). “I think I am still not getting into the match fast enough. The focus I showed from the second game onwards I simply did not have in that first game I lost. There will always be nerves at the start of the match and I was not relaxed enough. She (Ito) has a great ability to read the game and is regularly reaching finals and semi-finals. She still has that desire to put up a fight against us (Chinese women’s players) without fear.” – Chen Meng The top seed maintained her renowned mental strength throughout the later rounds beating China’s Wang Yidi the no.11 seed (11-5 11-8 13-15 11-6 11-6) and another teammate Wang Manyu the no.4 seed and defending champion (10-12 11-7 11-9 11-13 11-5 11-4) before overcoming Ito to take the title. This was Ito’s second ITTF World Tour women’s singles final within two weeks after winning the Hungarian Open. In Doha she continued her fine form: in the
Vladimir SIDORENKO at the top of the Europe
European Under 21 Championships Vladimir SIDERENKO of Russia is the new champion of the Men’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships. In Varazdin he overcame Rares SIPOS of Romania in the final (9:11 7:11 11:9 5:11 4:11). Laurens DEVOS of Belgium and Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova won bronze medals. “I am not the player who wins his matches easily. I have to work hard for every victory and this Championships was very difficult for me. There was a lot of pressure on in the final I am happy I was the one who win” said SIDORENKO Previously Rares SIPOS of Romania survived turbulent penultimate stage and in the game full of ups and downs overcame Laurens DEVOS of Belgium (6:11 7:11 12:10 6:11 11:8 12:14). “I was so nervous. I have been so many times in situations like this; after being only step away from the medal final…my mind has blocked my body. It looked like it could be the case in Varazdin too but I came back. I was brave I played with more courage then I usually do ” said SIPOS. SIDORENKO overcame in other semi final match Andrei PUTUNTICA of Moldova. Last time they met at Under 21 Championships in Minsk two years ago and then it was 4:3 for SIDORENKO. “We are good friends and we know each other very well. Even before the start of the Championships I knew that the odds that we will meet each other in the semis or in the final are great. I was ready for him. In addition he already beat Lev KATSMAN here so the information from my teammate helped me to “update” my tactics against him ” explained SIDORENKO.”For me it is very important that I had some time to regain my energy. I did not play in the Mixed Doubles nor in the Doubles so I was very fresh today. To keep the focus on one event is essential for me.”
Prithika PAVADE won the title in superb style
European Under 21 Championships In Croatia’s town of Varazdin at age 15 Prithika PAVADE of France clinched the title in the Women’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships. She won the crown after fantastic wins against last year’s champion Adina DIACONU and her Romania’s teammate no. one seed Andreea DRAGOMAN. Bronze medalists are DIACONU and Cristina KALLBERG of Sweden. In the final PAVADE overcame Andreea DRAGOMAN in six games (7:11 12:14 11:8 4:11 11:6 9:11). “In the final I had much more difficulties. Andreea’s receive is much better and I had more problems with longer rallies ” said PAVADE. The final places in the Women’s Singles Event were filled as anticipated only in the upper half by Romania’s Andreea DRAGOMAN. In the opposite side of the draw junior PAVADE upset the rankings and beat seed no. two and reigning champion Romania’s Adina DIACONU. Andreea overcame Christina KALLBERG of Sweden in straight games (11:6 11:7 12:10 11:9). In their previous encounter Swede was better but today Andreea showed no mercy. “Cristina beat me in Cluj in Singles Event of the European Championships 4:1 but it was year a half ago and I was under severe pressure to win at home soil. Now everything was different. We both changed a lot I improved my game ” explained DRAGOMAN.” For me in this semi final was more important to stay calm not to play to much risky and not to let her make easy points on my mistakes. I kept the game under control.” Thanks to brilliant service game Prithika PAVADE put Adina DIACONU’s powerful game under control. French player won in straight games (16:14 11:7 11:3 11:5). “I faced difficulties in the opening game. Adina saved few game balls but eventually I managed to win that set. I tried to stay calm and I took advantage of my service because Adina had very big problem with it. I tried to win as much points as quickly as I can but when I was forced to get into the rallies I stayed focus put a lot of spin and tried to play one ball more than my adversary ” said PAVADE.
