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)
