Barbora BALAZOVA defended her title in Slovakia whilst WANG Yang emerged as winner in Slovakia for a first time at the National Championships held this weekend in Bratislava. BALAZOVA overcame Eva JURKOVA in the final in straight games – (8 4 5 4). Pr Barbora BALAZOVA defended her title in Slovakia whilst WANG Yang emerged as winner in Slovakia for a first time at the National Championships held this weekend in Bratislava. BALAZOVA overcame Eva JURKOVA in the final in straight games – (8 4 5 4). Previously she beat Sona HUDECOVA (9 4 7 6). BALAZOVA who plays for TUSEM Essen won all her matches in Singles without losing the game. In the semi final JURKOVA succeeded against Andrea DAUBNEROVA 4:2 (7 -7 10 -10 5 1). WANG Yang beat Thomas KEINATH in straight games in the final of the Men’s Singles Event 4:0 (6 11 10 8). In semis KEINATH’s adversary BAI He received red card and Thomas progressed to the final easier then he thought. WANG beat Peter SEREDA 4:3 (-11 6 8 – 7 6 -4 10) in the same round. WANG also won the title in Mixed Doubles Event with Eva JURKOVA. FIGEL and HUDECOVA had their consolation in silver after they overcame BALAZ and BALAZOVA in semis. In other semi final duel SEREDA and CISARIKOVA lost against the new champions. CISARIKOVA with DAUBNEROVA emerged victorious against HUDECOVA and BAKAIOVA in the final of the Women’s Doubles Event. JURKOVA and TRUKSOVA concluded their journey in the semi final as well as FURKOVA and KRSIAKOVA. In Men’s Doubles Event KOBEAS and FIGEL are new champions in Men’s Doubles Event. In the final they overcame KARAS and KEINATH. Bronze winners are SEREDA and TRUKSA and MEGO and MUCHA.

Stefan FEGERL and LIU Yuan clinched the titles in their respective Men’s and Women’s Singles Event at the Austria’s National Championships in Dornbirn. In the final of the Men’s Event no. two seed Stefan FEGERL beat Dominik HABESOHN. With bronze medal exp Stefan FEGERL and LIU Yuan clinched the titles in their respective Men’s and Women’s Singles Event at the Austria’s National Championships in Dornbirn. In the final of the Men’s Event no. two seed Stefan FEGERL beat Dominik HABESOHN. With bronze medal experienced CHEN Weixing justified his third position at the seedings but Martin HEIMBERGER exceeded his rankings (no. 5 seed) and clinched bronze as well. LIU Yuan proved she is in great shape. During the matches in main draw she lost only one game. In the final she overcame no. two seed Amelie SOLJA. Men’s Singles Event: 1. Stefan FEGERL (Niederösterreich)  2. Dominik HABESOHN (Niederösterreich)  3. Martin HEIMBERGER (Steiermark)  3. CHEN Weixing (Niederösterreich) Women’s Singles Event: 1. LIU Yuan (Oberösterreich)  2. Amelie SOLJA (Kärnten)  3. Victoria Graf (Burgenland)  3. LI Qiangbing (Niederösterreich) Men’s Doubles Event: 1. Dominique PLATTNER / Martin STORF (Oberösterreich)  2. Dominik HABESOHN / Martin HEIMBERGER (Niederösterreich / Steiermark)  3. Tarek AL-SAMHOURY / David SERDAROGLU (Niederösterreich)  3. Michael PICHLER / Bernhard PRESSLMAYER (Oberösterreich) Women’s Doubles Event: 1. LIU Yuan / Amelie SOLJA (Oberösterreich / Kärnten)  2. Iva LAGINJA / Melanie LUGINGER (Wien / Salzburg)  3. Sandra FUCHS / Karoline MISCHEK (Wien)  3. Sylvia FUCHS / Claudia STEINBACHER (Niederösterreich / Wien) Mixed Doubles Event: 1. Amelie SOLJA / Dominique PLATTNER (Kärnten / Oberösterreich)  2. LIU Yuan / Bernhard PRESSLMAYER (Oberösterreich)  3. LI Qiangbing / Stefan FEGERL (Niederösterreich)  3. Victoria GRAF / Martin HEIMBERGER (Burgenland / Steiermark)

Tomas KONECNY and Iveta VACENOVSKA are the new champions in Czech Republic. In the final of the Men’s Singles Event Tomas KONECNY beat Dmitrij PROKOPCOV 4:2 (5 5 -3 9 -8 16). In the semis new champion succeeded against Pavel SIRUCEK 4:3 (-6 -8 9 Tomas KONECNY and Iveta VACENOVSKA are the new champions in Czech Republic. In the final of the Men’s Singles Event Tomas KONECNY beat Dmitrij PROKOPCOV 4:2 (5 5 -3 9 -8 16). In the semis new champion succeeded against Pavel SIRUCEK 4:3 (-6 -8 9 -10 5 6 6) whilst PROKOPCOV beat Jiri VRABLIK in straight games (10 12 4 5). KONECNY made it double with gold in Men’s Doubles Event. With Tomas TREGLER he beat Petr DAVID and Frantisek PLACEK in the final. Semifinalists are Pavel SIRUCEK and Ondrej BAJGER and Mihal OBESLO and Petr KAUCKY. Iveta VACENOVSKA beat Katerina PENKAKOVA in the final of the Women’s Singles Event 4:1 (4 5 -8 6 13). In the penultimate stage VACENOVSKA beat Hana MATELOVA 4:1 (-6 4 8 10 5) and PENKAKOVA overcame Dana CECHOVA 4:0 (5 8 8 5). PENKAKOVA and KUCEROVA overcame KMETOVA and KAPOUNOVA in the final of the Women’s Doubles Event. TOMANOVA and STIKOVA won bronze medal. They shared the place at the medal rostrum with MATELOVA and TOMANOVSKA. Lubomir JANCARIK and Iveta VACENOVSKA are the Mixed Doubles champions. Tomas POLANSKY and Karolina MYNAROVA won silver. Petr DAVID and Lenka HARABASZOVA clinched bronze and same medal was won by Jan URBANEK and katerina PENKAKOVA

Poland’s Wałbrzych hosted National Championships held this weekend. Antonina SZYMANSKA and Paweł FERTIKOWSKI won the titles in their respective Women’s and Men’s Singles Event. Antonina SZYMANSKA beat Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA in the final of the Women’s Event Poland’s Wałbrzych hosted National Championships held this weekend. Antonina SZYMANSKA and Paweł FERTIKOWSKI won the titles in their respective Women’s and Men’s Singles Event. Antonina SZYMANSKA beat Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA in the final of the Women’s Event 4:1 (11 6 -2 6 9). In the semi final SZYMANSKA succeeded against Monika PIETKIEWCZ 4:1 (8 -9 4 9 11) whilst GRZYBOWSKA beat Marta SMETEK by same margin (10 6 -4 6 6). In Men’s Singles Event at the last hurdle Paweł FERTIKOWSKI overcame Jakub PEREK 4:2 (7 -8 7 -10 8 8). In semis FERTIKOWSKI overcame Mateusz GOLEBIOWSKI 4:3 (9 6 -11 -8 3 -6 11) and PEREK beat Tomasz LEWANDOWSKI 4:2 (-11 10 -4 9 9 8).

Anamaria ERDELJI and Marko JEVTOVIC secured the titles at the National Championships in Serbia held this weekend in Subotica. There were no surprises in both Singles Event. Top seeded Marko JEVTOVIC overcame Zolt PETE seeded no. two in the final 4:3 (11 Anamaria ERDELJI and Marko JEVTOVIC secured the titles at the National Championships in Serbia held this weekend in Subotica. There were no surprises in both Singles Event. Top seeded Marko JEVTOVIC overcame Zolt PETE seeded no. two in the final 4:3 (11:9  7:11 11:6  10:12 11:5 5:11 11:5). Previously JEVTOVIC beat Zolt’s brother ZOLTAN 4:1 (11:6  9:11 11:7 14:12 11:9) whilst CREPULJA suffered by the hands of PETE 1:4 (6:11 11:9  9:11 9:11  6:11). Anamaria ERDELJI beat Aneta MAKSUTI in another full distance thriller 4:3 (11:6 9:11 11:2  4:11  7:11 11:7 11:9). In semis ERDELJI overcame Monika MOLNAR 4:2 (11:9  12:10  9:11  4:11 11:2 11:8) and Marija GALONJA lost against MAKSUTI 1:4 (7:11 11:6  4:11  6:11  6:11). In Men’s Doubles Event JEVTOVIC and PETE beat GORDIC and NADJNEMEDI 3:0 (11:6  13:11 11:7). Zoltan PETE and LUPULESKU clinched bronze as well as CREPULJA and BORCIC. TRUZINSKI and FENJVESI won title in Women’s Doubles Event. They beat RADONJIC and DJURCIK in the final 3:1 (14:12  1:11 11:6 11:8). MOLNAR and GALONJA lost in semis. RATIC and SAVIC had shared same fate.

England Men’s no. 1 Liam PITCHFORD and Women’s no. 2 Joanna DRINKHALL battled through gruelling tests at Ponds Forge to take the main prizes at the 55th Senior English National Table Tennis Championships (Feb 28 – Mar 2 2014). Men’s Singles – Twent England Men’s no. 1 Liam PITCHFORD and Women’s no. 2 Joanna DRINKHALL battled through gruelling tests at Ponds Forge to take the main prizes at the 55th Senior English National Table Tennis Championships (Feb 28 – Mar 2 2014). Men’s Singles – Twenty-year-old PITCHFORD successfully defended his title from 2012/13 after fighting off severe pressure from both Andrew BAGGALEY and Paul DRINKHALL in Sheffield. The top seed had earlier cruised past David MCBEATH 4-1 in their Sunday morning quarter-final before he took on BAGGALEY in the most exhilarating men’s singles match. BAGGALEY who had previously beaten PITCHFORD in a men’s single final in Sheffield was on blistering form to shock the hot favourite for the title. However despite pushing the Chesterfield athlete all the way the 31-year-old fell narrowly short in their semi-final 4-3 (7-11 14-12 9-11 15-13 11-6 10-12 11-9). This set up a repeat of both the 2011/12 and 2012/13 finals with Paul DRINKHALL which proved equally dramatic and entertaining. The English no. 1 took a 1-0 lead as expected but was surprised to fall 2-1 behind when DRINKHALL recovering from a hip injury roared back into contention. However just when it was required the world no. 55 brought out his ‘A’ game to secure the next three ends and his second consecutive Men’s Singles title. The champion said: “It’s been a tough day but I’m glad to get over the final hurdle – both were tough matches. It’s always going to be hard at these championships and both of us played really well at some points. “I don’t really know [what the difference was] there were really just a few points in it and it could have gone either way but luckily it went for me today. “I’ve had a good season in Germany and I’m playing well. At the moment I’m just hoping to keep improving.” Women’s Singles – Joanna DRINKHALL surprised the form books and beat Kelly SIBLEY in the Women’s Singles Final for the first time in four years to deny her international teammate of a record-equalling victory. Neither wasted any time in re-acquainting with each other at the final stage as they both cruised through their knockout matches. DRINKHALL seeing off Karina Le FEVRE and Hannah HICKS 4-0 in her quarter and semi-final appearances while Sibley brushed aside the challenges from both Yolanda KING (4-1) and Tin-Tin HO (4-1). Despite last year’s tight 4-3 final the money was still on Sibley to earn a fourth consecutive title and equal the record set by Jill HAMMERSLEY/Nicola DEATON because of the recent history between the English numbers 1 and 2. Not just at the nationals but also in the recent Bribar Bristol Grand Prix the 25-year-old has had the needle over her great friend and rival and would have been confident heading into the key match. However despite having a 2-1 lead SIBLEY was unable to take control as England’s top defender Drinkhall won her third title by wearing down her opponent in the following three games. The 26-year-old exclaimed: “I’m really chuffed. It’s always a hard match against Kelly and it means so much to me to win. When it’s your goal and you fail to reach it three years in a row you think it might not be your turn. “I was really consistent today and didn’t give her any cheap points – that was the difference.” Both Liam and Joanna were also successful in the doubles events as they alongside respective partners Paul DRINKHALL and Kelly SIBLEY won entertaining finals. Paul and Liam won a nail-biter with Andrew BAGGALEY and Darius KNIGHT to retain their title from 2012/13 while Joanna and Kelly beat juniors Tin-Tin HO and Maria TSAPTSINOS 3-1 to earn their fifth consecutive title and sixth win overall. Full final scores are listed below. 55th English Senior National Championships Results: Men’s Singles: Liam PITCHFORD bt Paul DRINKHALL 4-2 (11-8 8-11 13-15 11-6 11-5 11-9) Women’s Singles: Joanna DRINKHALL bt Kelly SIBLEY 4-2 (9-11 11-5 6-11 11-8 11-7 11-9) Men’s Doubles: Liam PITCHFORD/Paul Drinkhall bt Andrew BAGGALEY/Darius KNIGHT 3-2 (11-9 9-11 10-12 12-10 11-9) Women’s Doubles: Kelly SIBLEY/Joanna DRINKHALL bt HO Tin Tin/Maria TSAPTINOS 3-1 (11-8 12-10 8-11 11-9)    

Dora MADARASZ won her first Hungarian champion title today in a west-Hungarian city Celldomolk. In the semi-final she beat Krisztina AMBRUS in a 7 games thriller. The titleholder leads 3-1 and in the final set she also have chances but MADARÁSZ saved a Dora MADARASZ won her first Hungarian champion title today in a west-Hungarian city Celldomolk. In the semi-final she beat Krisztina AMBRUS in a 7 games thriller. The titleholder leads 3-1 and in the final set she also have chances but MADARÁSZ saved a match point and won 13-11. In the other semi-final Eva BRAUN overcame Szandra PERGEL in 6 sets. In the final MADARASZ played excellent and won 4-0. Janos JAKAB player of the Austrian UTTC Stockerau won his 5th title in singles. “My hardest match was the semifinal against LAKATOS he leads 2-0 and after this result was 2-2. I saved three set points in a row and I won the 5th set. That was the key moment after that I dominated the game.” The final was easier for him because he is very good against defensive players. Last year champion Adam PATTANTYUS beat Celldomolk’s player Peter FAZEKAS in the semi-final 4-3 and 14-12 in the final set. But JAKAB ended the titleholders hopes and won in 4 straight sets. MADARASZ had a golden day with her teammate PERGEL won gold in doubles without losing any set during the competition. Adam LINDNER and Gabor GEROLD became the mens doubles champion after their last years success. Men`s Singles – Semi-final: Adam PATTANTYUS – Peter FAZEKAS 4:3 (8:11 14:12 12:10 9:11 7:11 11:6 14:12) Janos JAKAB – Tamas LAKATOS 4:2 (4:11 7:11 11:6 11:6 12:10 11:6). Final: Janos JAKAB – Adam PATTANTYUS 4:0 (11:6 11:5 11:8 11:9) Men`s Doubles – Semi-final: Ivan VITSEK/Robert PAGONYI – Mate MORICZ/Sandor VARGA 3:2 (15:13 11:6 6:11 10:12 12:10) Adam LINDER/Gabor GEROLD – Tamas HOFFMANN/Krisztian MOLNAR 3:0 (14 13:11 11:8). Final: Adam LINDER/Gabor GEROLD – Ivan VITSEK/Robert PAGONYI 3:1 (11:9 11:13 11:4 11:8). Women`s Singles – Semi-final: Eva BRAUN – Szandra PERGEL 4:3 (9:11 11:9 11:7 10:12 11:3 10:12 11:3) Dora MADARASZ – Krisztina AMBRUS 4:3 (6:11 11:3 9:11 10:12 11:8 11:6 13:11) Final: Dora MADARASZ – Eva BRAUN 4:0 (11:2 11:3 11:3 11:4) Women`s Doubles – Semi-final: Szandra PERGEL/Dora MADARASZ – Eva BRAUN/Rita KERTAI 3:0 (11:8 11:2 11:1) Timea VARGA/Marcedesz NAGYVARADI – Krisztina AMBRUS/Timea AMBRUS 3:1 (11:8 9:11 11:9 11:9). Final: Szandra PERGEL/Dora MADARASZ – Timea VARGA/Marcedesz NAGYVARADI 3:0 (12:10 11:8 11:4).

Newly crowned champion at the Romania’s National Championships held this weekend in Buzau in Women’s Singles Event is Camelia POSTOACA. Constantin CIOTI clinched the title in men’s Singles Event. In the final POSTOACA who won her first title at the Natio Newly crowned champion at the Romania’s National Championships held this weekend in Buzau in Women’s Singles Event is Camelia POSTOACA. Constantin CIOTI clinched the title in men’s Singles Event. In the final POSTOACA who won her first title at the National Championships beat Elizabeta SAMARA. SAMARA suffered in straight games 0-4 (5-11 4-11 4-11 7-11). Last year’s champion Bernadette SZOCS failed to defend her title. She reached third position at the medal rostrum and shared it with Irina CIOBANU. At the last hurdle in the Men’s Singles Event Constantin CIOTI overcame Hunor SZOCS 4-1(11-9 11-9 7-11 11-9 11-8). Bronze medal winners are Alexandru CAZACU and Mihai SARGU. Bernadette missed the title in singles but she clinched gold in both Doubles Event. With Iulia NECULA she succeeded to the top of the Women’s Doubles Event. They beat Camelia POSTOACA and Irina CIOBANU in the final. Cristina HIRICI and Anamaria Sebe reached third position alongside Roxana ISTRATE and Roxana IAMANDI. Hunor SZOCS and Bernadette SZOCS overcame Ovidiu IONESCU and Roxana ISTRATE in the final of the Mixed Doubles Event. Viorel FILIMON and Elizabeta SAMARA as well as Constantin CIOTI and Camelia POSTOACA had their consolation in bronze. Constantin CIOTI reached two titles. In the final of the Men’s Doubles Event CIOTI and Adrian DODEAN beat Lucian MUNTEANU and Adrian CAZACU. Bronze went to Cristian PLETEA and Rares SIPOS and Ionut SENI and Alexandru PETRESCU.

OVTCHAROV celebrated his first ever victory in singles at National Closed Championships held this weekend in Wetzlar. In the final European Champion overcame Timo BOLL and denied him of record breaking 10th title. “This is an overwhelming feeling. OVTCHAROV celebrated his first ever victory in singles at National Closed Championships held this weekend in Wetzlar. In the final European Champion overcame Timo BOLL and denied him of record breaking 10th title. “This is an overwhelming feeling. It was real fun to play here ” said OVTCHAROV. On Sunday he finally made brake through. In 2007 2011 and 2012 he had lost in the singles’ final. His opponent in this year’s final Timo BOLL is still waiting for his 10th title which would put him as the only player on top of the national list of table tennis victories. At the moment he shares this position with Eberhard SCHÖLER Konrad FREUNDORFER and Nicole STRUSE who all won 9 singles titles. “To lose in a final is always a pity. But to lose to a good buddy makes it bearable ” BOLL said. OVTCHAROV plays in his life form. “Against Timo I have to play at a very high level only then I have a chance. I am super happy that I have now won this title after I celebrated so many great achievements since 2012. A national Champions title just has to be included in a player’s vita.” SHAN Xiaona successfully defended her singles title at the German Championships. In the final which was followed by more than 3 000 spectators in the sold-out Rittal Arena Wetzlar she defeated her national team colleague HAN Ying in 6 games. It was hard work. In the 5th game at 9-7 for HAN the Expedite System had to be introduced. “It was the first Expedite System game of my life. I never thought this would happen to me because I play actually quite good against defense ” said SHAN. This unfamiliar situation confused her at the beginning. In addition Han successfully proofed her offensive qualities. “The Expedite System is after all a small disadvantage for me ” said the number 18 in the world ranking HAN Ying. “For the attacker it is always easier.” Anyway HAN Ying was not too sad in the end. “Of course I would rather have won. I’ve enjoyed playing here. The spectators were great. It was a fantastic atmosphere in Wetzlar. It was a lot of fun and that I reached the final outweighs the joy.” Through the title 31-year-old SHAN Xiaona gets a boost for her self-confidence she stated. “I’ve lost too early at the latest World Tour tournaments and thereby lost some points in the Worlds ranking. Now it’s hopefully going up again. I hope that I can continue and play well at the German Open.” Tonight she can celebrate 2 titles. Just before the singles event she had already won the doubles partnering her buddy Kristin SILBEREISEN. Lars HIELSCHER/Bastian STEGER won the men’s doubles event. It was their 4th national title pairing each other. Women’s Doubles Semi-final: SHAN/SILBEREISEN – BOLLMEIER/KRÄMER 4:2 (6 4 -9 6 -10 5)  SOLJA/WINTER – BARTHEL/MÜHLBACH  4:1 (8 8 4 -13 10). Final: SOLJA/WINTER – SHAN/SILBEREISEN 2:4 (7 -9 9 -9 -8 -4) Men’s Singles Semi-final: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Ruwen FILUS 4:1 (-5 4 8 3 6)  Timo BOLL – Patrick FRANZISKA 4:0 (8 8 5 7). Final: BOLL – OVTCHAROV 1:4 (-8 -4 9 -7 -10) Women’s Singles Semi-final: HAN Ying – Nina MITTELHAM 4:0 (11 6 6 8)  SHAN Xiaona – Irene IVANCAN 4:1 (3 9 -8 4 7). Final: SHAN Xiaona – HAN Ying 4:2 (6 10 10 -9 -15 7) Men’s Doubles Semi-final: HIELSCHER/STEGER – CHRIST/WEHKING 4:2 (10 4 -8 8 -8 9)  DUDA/MENGEL – MOHR/SCHEJA 4:1 (-9 7 5 7 9). Final: HIELSCHER/STEGER – DUDA/MENGEL 4:1 (10 11 9 -10 5)

Stephane OUAICHE is the surprising hero of French Championships in Mouilleron-Le-Captif. The 20 year old managed to beat four actual or former members of national team in a row from 2nd round to the final: Abdel Kader SALIFOU (2nd round) Adrien MATTENET Stephane OUAICHE is the surprising hero of French Championships in Mouilleron-Le-Captif. The 20 year old managed to beat four actual or former members of national team in a row from 2nd round to the final: Abdel Kader SALIFOU (2nd round) Adrien MATTENET (1/4) Simon GAUZY (1/2) and Christophe LEGOUT (final). He announced his biggest success in short career defeating top seed Adrien MATTENET in five games of the quarter final 4:1 (2:11 11:9 11:9 11:5 11:9). OUAICHE showed outstanding strength in the semis when he overcame Simon GAUZY in seven games winning three games 12:10. Finally he defeated Christophe LEGOUT who is double older than him. Women`s no. 1 seed LI Xue managed to defended her title. In the ultimate chapter she surpassed Aurore DESSAINT in five games. Michel MARTINEZ/Christophe LEGOUT is the best men`s double while Carole GRUNDISCH and Laura GASNIER are women`s champions. Men`s single semi-final: Stephane OUAICHE – Simon GAUZY 4:3 (11:8 12:10 5:11 7:11 9:11 12:10 12:10) Christophe LEGOUT – Emmanuel LEBESSON 4:2 (16:14 11:7 12:10 4:11 5:11 11:7). Men`s single final: Stephane OUAICHE – Christophe LEGOUT 4:2 (10:12 11:6 12:10 7:11 13:11 12:10). Women`s single semi-final: LI Xue – Sarah BERGE 4:1 (9:11 11:5 11:2 11:7 11:6) Aurore DESSAINT – Laura GASNIER 4:1 (11:8 11:5 9:11 11:8 11:7). Women`s single final: LI Xue – Aurore DESSAINT 4:1 (11:4 11:7 11:8 9:11 12:10) Men`s double semi-final Brice OLLIVIER/Romain LORENTZ – Emmanuel LEBESSON/Simon GAUZY 3:0 (11:7 11:7 11:9) Michel MARTINEZ/Christophe LEGOUT – Dorian NICOLLE/Loic BOBILLIER 3:0 (11:6 11:5 11:2). Men`s double final: Michel MARTINEZ/Christophe LEGOUT – Brice OLLIVIER/Romain LORENTZ 3:2 (11:8 11:13 2:11 11:8 11:4) Women`s double semi-final Audrey MATTENET/Elisabeth GLADIEUX – Chloe MARTIAL/Sarah BERGE 3:2 (9:11 11:9 13:11 9:11 11:5) Carole GRUNDISCH/Laura GASNIER – Anais LEVEQUE/Alice ABBAT 3:1 (9:11 12:10 11:9 17:15). Women`s double final Carole GRUNDISCH/Laura GASNIER – Audrey MATTENET/Elisabeth GLADIEUX 3:0 (11:6 11:8 11:7).