Liebherr 2019 Table Tennis World Championships Budapest April 21-28th
The 2018 European Championships runner-up Ovidiu IONESCU of Romania will always remember Liebherr 2017 World Championships in Dusseldorf as he faced world champion MA Long in the Round of 32 in spite of losing that clash in five games. It was memorable experience for him as well as big motivation for the following international events including Liebherr 2019 Table Tennis World Championships in Budapest which commences tomorrow April 21st.
Post SV Muhlhausen’s player no. 34. seed in Men’s Singles should surpass two strong opponents in order to make his career best World Championships achievement. His draw projection leads him to no. 17 seed Germany’s Patrick FRANZISKA (Round of 64) and no. 6 Korea’s LEE Sangsu of Korea (Round of 32). He sees his chance in Mixed Doubles with Bernadette SZOCS (they are twice European bronze medallist 2012 and 2016) as well as in the Men’s Doubles playing alongside Alvaro ROBLES.
“We had a really good training camp with both men and women team in Romania. I feel good and I am looking forward to play at the World Championships” stated IONESCU. “I believe in my chances in mixed and men’s doubles. It depends on many things good draw and shape during the tournament days but I have proved myself I can be able to compete against the best ones.”
Regarding main medal contenders Romanian player stressed:
“Although MA Long was long time injured in my opinion he is alongside FAN Zhengdong the favorite to win it. Of course HARIMOTO can always challenge them and BOLL OVTCHAROV and why not SAMSONOV can as well be very dangerous for the Chinese. I do believe Europe can make some surprises at this championship especially in doubles.”
