Fan Zhendong Ends Calderano’s Dream Run in Doha

Brazilian Hugo CALDERANO’s dream run at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open has come to an end being defeated by FAN Zhendong in the much-anticipated final in Doha Qatar.

 
The world’s eyes were on the final after the Brazilian beat world number one Timo BOLL (GER) world number 12 Tomokazu HARIMOTO (JPN) and world number four LIN Gaoyuan (CHN) on the march to the final.

 
Despite having several game points in the first two games it was not to be as the 21-year-old Chinese superstar powered away to win 13-11 12-10 11-7 11-7 to ensure there would be no fairytale finish for CALDERANO.

 
FAN Zhendong’s victory means that on 1 April 2018 he will be announced as world number one player for the first time.

 
An excited FAN Zhendong stated after the match: “It is an amazing feeling to become the word number one it has always been a big dream of mine. I hope I can keep this position for a very long time. Hugo has a very strong backhand I had to change the placement of the ball a great deal. In the first two games I was too cautious too passive; after winning the second game I played in a more positive manner.”

 
The women’s final was a battle between the old and new generation of the Chinese National Team. The next big thing in table tennis WANG Manyu got off to a rapid start winning the first two games and putting the elder LIU Shiwen under pressure. LIU Shiwen was able to keep her cool and used all her experience to win the next 4 games to win her third Qatar Open 8-11 10-12 11-9 11-6 11-5 11-6 after having to qualify for the main draw.

 
The former world number one stated: “I have played seven matches in order to win this tournament; I am very happy to win here. I must express my gratitude to Qatar; this is a magnificent venue. I’ll be back next year.”

 
The battle for the women’s doubles title was an all Chinese affair. CHEN Xingtong & SUN Yingsha has a blistering start to hold a 1-0 advantage. This was as close as they got to the title as CHEN Ke & WANG Manyu won the next 3 games to clinch the title 8-11 11-2 11-4 11-4.
 

The men’s doubles final was between World Champions FAN Zhendong & XU Xin from China and the Japanese pair of Jun MIZUTANI & Yuya OSHIMA. In a pulsating final it was the Chinese pair who were victorious 9-11 11-5 11-9 13-11.

 
The world’s best table tennis players now head to the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open in Bremen on 23-25 March 2018 as they continue to fight to qualify for the one million dollars World Tour Grand Finals.
 

Related News

HB Ostrov z.s. Reach the Final of the Europe Cup

After a first-leg defeat in Germany, HB Ostrov z.s. delivered a strong home performance to overcome Postsportverein Mühlhausen 1951 e.V. and book their place in the Europe Cup final. Vladislav...

Read more

German Giants Collide: Düsseldorf and Saarbrücken to Battle for HYLO Champions League Final 4 Crown

On the final day of the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 in Saarbrücken, the title will be decided between Borussia Düsseldorf and 1. FC Saarbrücken TT — marking the...

Read more

Special ETTU Award for Timo BOLL

Before the start of the first semifinal match at the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4 between Borussia Düsseldorf and KS Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Timo BOLL was presented with...

Read more

Saarbrücken Eyeing Final Berth as They Face Suchedniów in HYLO Champions League Final 4 Semifinal

The city of Saarbrücken will once again be the focal point of top-level European club table tennis this weekend, as it hosts the 2025 HYLO Champions League Final 4. One...

Read more

Contact

About Us

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is the governing body of the sport of table tennis in Europe, and is the only authority recognized for this purpose by the International Table Tennis Federation. The ETTU deals with all matters relating to table tennis at a European level, including the development and promotion of the sport in the territories controlled by its 58 member associations, and the organization of continental table tennis competitions, including the European Championships.

Powered By

All Competitions

Senior Competitions

Club Competitions

Youth Competitions

More Competitions