Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open   The first phase of the qualifications in the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open concluded with few upsets. Among the creators were Tom JARVIS of England Simon Berglund of Sweden Romain LORENTZ of France in Men’s Singles Event and Marie MIGOT of France as well as Maria Xiao of Spain.   Tom JARVIS emerged successful beat Singapore’s GAO Ning one of the more experienced players on duty in Stockholm (13-11 11-9 12-10 8-11 11-3) to secure the top position in his Group.   Simon Berglund presently listed at no.326 on the Men’s World Rankings beat Germany’s Ricardo WALTHER in dramatic fashion (11-7 8-11 11-7 9-11 11-6 9-11 15-13).    “It’s the first time I’d played him; today my serve and receive was good; so that meant I could follow with a strong first attack. He surprised me because he did not play powerfully actually quite soft. It took time to find a tempo for the match but gradually I became more confident in the rallies ” said Simon Berglund   Romain LORENTZ prevailed against Noshad ALAMIYAN of Iran in a another seven games thriller (11-4 11-9 8-11 8-11 9-11 12-10 10-12)   Marie MIGOT of France booked top place in her Group in Women’s Singles qualifications. She overcame Maki SHIOMI of Japan (4-11 11-6 4-11 5-11 11-7 12-14) and MAK Tze Wing of Hong Kong (11-8 8-11 9-11 9-11 9-11).   In addition Russia’s Polina MIKHAILOVA was beaten by Maria XIAO (11-4 11-8 11-5 9-11 5-11 11-9). MIKHAILOVA is listed at no.67 on the current Women’s World Rankings Maria Xiao is at no.89.    

Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open     Newly crowned Men’s World Cup Champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) has won his fourth ITTF World Tour title of the year in dramatic fashion at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open.   The second seeded OVTCHAROV had made his way to the final after sensationally defeating world number two FAN Zhendong in front of the 4 700 sold-out crowd in the semifinals to set up an all-German final with Timo BOLL (GER) who had a 4-0 win over Korea Republic’s LEE Sangsu.   In the rematch of their epic encounters at the 2017 China Open and the Liebherr 2017 ITTF Men’s World Cup Finals the two German heroes faced each other in an enthralling seven-game clash.   The match saw a tight chase between both players and it was eventually OVTCHAROV who repeated his success against BOLL 4-3 (9-11 11-5 11-9 6-11 11-7 7-11 11-6) to claim his career third German Open (2012 2014 & 2017) and fourth World Tour title of the year (Indian Open China Open Bulgaria Open & German Open).   “Every time against Timo it gets tougher and tougher I feel every match is basically on the knife’s edge in the last game. I’m aiming to become world number one in the ranking so I have a strong will to win the tournament ” shared the 28-year-old after his victory. “Timo is my good friend my idol I practiced with him so much in my whole career I think without him I wouldn’t have come so far as I’m here and I’m grateful for that.”   OVTCHAROV added:  “I’m exhausted really tired two matches of that level in one day is very hard for us. But I gave all I’ve got and it was a very tough final against Timo as usual and I think it’s mostly the mental part giving me confidence winning so many close matches against him that’s maybe what made the difference in the end. In the last game I had a little anger. I had a good opportunity in the fourth and the sixth game but Timo played so clever changed the rhythm changed the service bring me out of my rhythm and made the game very tough for me. I went into the rallies risking many things and I had an amazing start and I’m glad I could bring it into the end.”  

Dimitrij OVTCHAROV defeated two hardest opponents in the last two stages of the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open first top seed Chinese FAN Zhendong and then his compatriot both times after full seven games   Dimitrij OVTCHAROV`s fantasy season continued on Sunday as he beat his compatriot Timo BOLL after full seven games to lift the title of the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg – 4:3 (9:11 11:5 11:9 6:11 11:7 7:11 11:6). It was a great pleasure for home crowd to see all-German final but as well big satisfaction for OVTCHAROV who won Men`s World Cup three weeks ago in Belgium beating his today`s opponent BOLL in six sets.   This is the OVTCHAROV`s third German Open`s crown (2012 2014 2017) but still stands one behind BOLL (2004 2006 2008 2009) last year`s winner China`s MA Long (2007 2010 2015 2016) and Eberhard SCHOLER (1962 1963 1964 1970) last German who took gold before BOLL`s triumph in 2004.   The 2017 German Open`s no. 3 seed OVTCHAROV who was crowned champion of ITTF-Europe Top 16 earlier this year has been extended to full distance by top seed FAN Zhendong playing semi-final game. China`s star the 2013 winner lost first two games but managed to draw the scores level at two games apiece. Decisive seventh was the exciting one as Chinese managed to stay in the fight faced with three consecutive match balls (8:10 10:11). Then FAN had two chances (12:11 13:12) but next three points went to the German`s side.   “I’m extremely excited to win my first match against FAN Zhendong stated Dimitrij OVTCHAROV after his semi-final victory. “The first time I met him in the Chinese Super League I was up 2-0 and last time we played at the World Tour Grand Finals last year I was 2-0 up as well and today as well he always comes back strong. In the third and fourth games I had no chance but I tried my best I basically took all the chances I got… I’m very pleased”.   Other semi-final encounter was not so tense. BOLL swept Korea`s LEE Sangsu in four games 4:0 (11:4 11:9 11:4 11:9)   “He couldn’t feel my game so well my rhythm my serves. He was thinking maybe too much and I confused him a little bit with my tactics and variations. It was tactically an unbelievably good game” explained Timo BOLL after his semi-final win.   Two top seeds met in the all-Chinese finals of the Women`s Singles event as no. 2 CHEN Meng overcame no. 1 ZHU Yuling. This breathtaking clash was concluded after full seven games after great comeback of CHEN who was two sets behind after the fourth set.   Men`s Singles Semi-finals FAN Zhendong (China) – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) 3:4 (11:13 7:11 11:7 11:3 9:11 11:8 13:15) Timo BOLL (Germany) – LEE Sangsu (Korea) 4:0 (11:4 11:9 11:4 11:9)   Men`s Singles final Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) – Timo BOLL (Germany) 4:3 (9:11 11:5 11:9 6:11 11:7 7:11 11:6)   Women`s Singles Semi-finals ZHU Yuling (China) – Kasumi ISHIKAWA (Japan) 4:1 (11:4 12:10 12:14 11:5 11:8) CHEN Meng (China) – FENG Yalan (China) 4:2 (10:12 11:6 11:4 6:11 15:13 11:5)   Women`s Singles final ZHU Yuling (China) – CHEN Meng (China) 3:4 (11:9 11:8 11:13 11:9 11:13 9:11 4:11)   Men`s Doubles final JEOUNG Youngsik / LEE Sangsu (Korea) – Tomokazu HARIMOTO / Yuto KIZUKURI (Japan) 3:2 (8:11 3:11 11:5 16:14 11:6)   Women`s Doubles final Hina HAYATA / Miu HIRANO (Japan) – CHEN Szu-Yu / CHENG I-Ching (Chinese Taipei) 3:0 (11:7 11:8 11:9)

Two host players reached semi-finals of the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg.   German fans will enjoy in the ultimate day of the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open thanks to Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (actual world no. 3) and Timo BOLL (no. 4) who reached semi-final stage. Two great domestic players delighted their supporters in Magdeburg as they beat two strong opponents from Asia WONG Chun Ting (no. 12 Hong Kong) and LIN Gaoyan (no. 7 China) respectively.   “I got back into the game to take the lead and actually made a good start in the fourth. But then I think he enjoyed his best period of the entire match on his side. I can’t blame myself I played a good game as well. I just kept going and he couldn’t keep up with this level and I think that was the key to my win…  I hope to have a good day tomorrow and I have nothing to lose!” stressed Dimitrij OVTCHAROV who overcame WONG 4:2 (11:1 5:11 11:7 7:11 11:4 11:3)   Penultimate day of the contest was fully exciting starting with upset created by Portugal`s Tiago APOLONIA who eliminated former both Olympic and World champion China`s ZHANG Jike 4:1 (11:9 11:7 7:11 11:9 11:3) in the first round of main draw (Round of 32). Beside him OVTCHAROV and BOLL two more European representatives progressed to the Round of 16: Simon GAUZY (no. 8 France) and APOLONIA`s compatriot Marcos FREITAS (no. 17).   One of the most thrilling clashes was one between GAUZY and Japan`s Jin UEDA finished after full seven games (five out of seven concluded by a narrow margin). Likewise actual world no. 2 XU Xin defeated FREITAS to progress among the top eight participants. Timo BOLL lost few games from Simon GAUZY this year but today had no problem with young Frenchman beating him 4:1 (6:11 12:10 11:9 11:7 11:2) in the Round of 16. OVTCHAROV swept Chinese YAN An in straight games.   OVTCHAROV faces top seeded FAN Zhendong in the semi-final clash while BOLL opposes Korea`s LEE Sangsu (13 Korea) who upset no. 2 seed XU in straight games. BOLL targets a record fifth Men’s Singles title at the German Open.   Only four European women`s participants managed to reach the main draw but all four were beaten in the opening round. Two host players SHAN Xiaona and HAN Ying lost to China`s LIU Xi and Korea`s SUH Hyowon respectively. Austrian legend LIU Jia lost to no. 2 seed China`s CHEN Meng in straight games while her team mate from national team Sophia POLCANOVA suffered defeat at the hands of CHEN`s compatriot WU Yang. Six out of eight women`s singles quarter-finalists came from China.   Men`s Singles Quarter-finals FAN Zhendong (world no. 1 China) – Kenta MATSUDAIRA (9 Japan) 4:1 (20:18 11:6 11:5 8:11 11:9) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (3 Germany) – WONG Chun Ting (12 Hong Kong) 4:2 (11:1 5:11 11:7 7:11 11:4 11:3) Timo BOLL (4 Germany) – LIN Gaoyan (7 China) 4:1 (11:7 11:9 13:15 11:7 14:12) LEE Sangsu (13 Korea) – XU Xin (- China) 4:0 (11:6 11:9 11:4 12:10)   Men`s Singles Semi-finals FAN Zhendong – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Sunday Nov 12th 11:20 CET) Timo BOLL – LEE Sangsu (Sunday Nov 12th 12:00 CET)   Women`s Singles Quarter-finals ZHU Yuling (world no. 1 China) – WANG Manyu (10 China) 4:2 (10:12 11:7 11:6 11:9 8:11 11:6) Kasumi ISHIKAWA (4 Japan) – WU Yang (- China) 4:0 (11:4 11:7 11:8 11:3) FENG Yalan (- China) – Mima ITO (6 Japan) 4:1 (6:11 15:13 11:4 11:7 11:9) CHEN Meng (2 China) – CHEN Ke (- China) 4:3 (9:11 11:4 11:5 9:11 6:11 11:5 14:12)   Women`s Singles Semi-finals ZHU Yuling – Kasumi ISHIKAWA (Sunday Nov 12th 10:00 CET) CHEN Meng – FENG Yalan (Sunday Nov 12th 10:40 CET)

The Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open to be held from today 10 – 12 November 2017   The world’s top table tennis stars have gathered in Magdeburg Germany for the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open to be held from today 10 – 12 November 2017 for one of their final chances to earn World Tour ranking points to qualify for the US$1 000 000 World Tour Grand Finals in Astana in December.    With only the top 16 male and female athletes on the World Tour circuit this year who have played a minimum of 5 events across the globe being able to qualify for the prestigious year-ending finale in Astana Kazakhstan the German Open sees 8 out of the world’s top 10 women and 9 of the top 10 men competing for the title and the race to Astana.    The German Open which is the final Platinum and second last World Tour event of 2017 has seen world class table tennis on display over the past three days of qualifications as unseeded players battled to join the 16 seeds in the main draw of 32.    New women’s world number one ZHU Yuling (CHN) will lead the women’s charge for the title. Fresh from her successful trip to Markham Canada to claim the Women’s World Cup title less than two weeks ago ZHU will be aiming to repeat her success and claim her career first German Open title here in Magdeburg.    ZHU will have to face off other top stars including her colleague CHEN Meng (CHN) who will be going all out for her chance to claim her third World Tour Platinum title of the year.    Defending Champion WU Yang (CHN) together with the other past German Open Champions Mima ITO (JPN) SHAN Xiaona (GER) FENG Yalan (CHN) and LIU Jia (AUT) will all be looking at becoming the first women to the German Open title twice.    With the new generation of Chinese young players in action in Magdeburg the 2017 German Open will see these qualifiers challenging the rest of the world’s top athletes in the main draw for their chance at the title.    World number two FAN Zhendong (CHN) heads the rest of the world’s top 10 men into the men’s singles battle for the title as reigning World & Olympic Champion MA Long (CHN) misses out from the tournament to defend his title.    FAN who won the 2013 German Open when he was only 16-year-old will be eyeing his second German Open title. The 20-year-old top seed will need to be on his alert as his teammates have their eyes on the title as well. LIN Gaoyuan (CHN) who defeated FAN at the 2017 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup is aiming to repeat his success against the world number two and take his second ITTF World Tour title in Magdeburg. LIN had only claimed his first title at the Hybiome Austria Open earlier in September this year.    Currently at number 17 on the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals standings XU Xin (CHN) will have the extra push to put on his best performance here in Magdeburg so as to rise higher up the standing in the Race to Astana and secure his ticket to the million-dollar grand finale.    Fifth seeded Chinese superstar ZHANG Jike makes his return to international table tennis in Magdeburg as well after being troubled by injuries over the past few tournaments this year.    Newly crowned Men’s World Cup Champion Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) will be hoping to keep the title on German soil together with teammate Timo BOLL (GER). BOLL already being the most successful German Open players having won on four occasions is looking at a record fifth in front of the sellout home crowd.    The men’s singles draw saw several interesting matches to come as old rivals OVTCHAROV and ZHANG are set to meet in the quarterfinals XU looking to avenge his lost to Japan’s Jun MIZUTANI at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Team Final and BOLL aiming to repeat his 2017 Men’s World Cup success over LIN to reach the semifinals.

Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg   The three days of the qualifications at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg in Men’s and Women’s Singles Event concluded today. After groups stage men went through two more rounds of knock out matches whilst women had one additional round to fill 14 places in main draw.   In Women’s Singles event only two Europeans survived preliminary round. Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria beat Mizuki MORIZONO of Japan (8-11 11-5 11-13 11-5 11-1 11-7). She joined her teammate LIU Jia who overcame Hong Kong’s LEE Ho Ching (11-5 11-6 4-11 9-1 11-9 11-6).   Germany’s trio of Patrick FRANZISKA Bastian STEGER and Ruwen FILUS reached the main draw that starts tomorrow. STEGER accounted for Korea’s LIM Jonghoon (11-5 11-3 11-7 7-11 8-11 11-5). FILUS overcame Austria’s Robert Gardos by a similar margin (7-11 11-7 11-7 8-11 11-5 11-9) whilst FRANZISKA beat JEOUNG Youngsik in straight games (11-7 11-9 11-8 14-12).   “The fourth game was really tight JEOUNG had the lead of 2 points all the time and at 10-9 match point I wanted to take it but I missed. My coach took a time out and advised me about the right serve and I won 14-12 eventually ” said FRANZISKA.   At the top of the draw Marcos FREITAS of Portugal beat Liam PITCHFORD of England to progress further (11-7 11-7 11-9 11-4) but it was Jakub DYJAS of Poland who took the spotlight. Listed at no.60 on the Men’s World Rankings Jakub DYJAS recovered from an opening game deficit to beat no.18 Brazil’s Hugo CALDERANO (14-16 11-6 11-6 11-6 11-8).   Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden joined them after victory over India’s Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN (11-6 11-6 11-2 11-7).  

2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg   At the end of the day two at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Magdeburg group phase of qualifications are concluded in Men’s and Women’s Singles Event.   In the Men’s Singles Qualification there were 46 groups and the winners of Groups from 19 – to 46 advanced to the preliminary round 1 whilst the winners of the Groups 1 to 18 advanced to the Preliminary Round 2 and play against the winners of the matches in the Round 1   Among the surprise winners of the Groups were French player Romain LORENTZ Hungarian Bence MAJOROS and Nandor ECSEKI… Romain LORENTZ beat top seed in Group 7 Mattias KARLSSON of Sweden (11-8 11-4 11-8 10-12 11-9) and Padasak TANVIRIYAVECHAKUL of Thailand (5-11 11-7 11-9 11-9 11-9).   Presently listed at no.210 on the Men’s World Rankings Bence MAJOROS beat Nigeria’s Quadri ARUNA (6-11 11-5 13-11 3-11 11-2 11-8) named at no.27 in the global order and the recent winner at the 2017 ITTF Challenge Polish Open.   Nandor ECSEKI followed suit standing at no.233 in the world rankings he accounted for Gao Ning who occupies the no.43 spot. Furthermore GAO Ning has enjoyed notable success on the ITTF World Tour in 2007 he won in India in 2012 in Chile.   Top name in the Men’s Singles Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS beat the Dominican Republic’s WU Jiaji (6-11 11-6 11-8 11-9 13-11) and PARK Jeongwoo of Korea (8-11 11-6 11-8 11-9 13-11).   In Women’s Singles qualifications leading European name LI Jie of Netherlands failed to secure top spot in her qualification Group. She suffered by the hands of Nina MITTELHAM of Germany (11-6 12-14 11-7 5-11 8-11 4-11) but it was Miyu NAGASAKI of Japan who accounted for that victory. Japan’s player lost seven games thriller against LI (9-11 11-7 11-7 12-10 8-11 7-11 11-5) but beat Nina and progressed to the main draw directly as a winner of Group 2.