TTCLM final leg 1 (May 4th): TTSC UMMC – Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg 2:3
Former four-time TTCLM winner Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg beat 2012 runner-up TTSC UMMC by a narrow margin in the first leg of the 2018/19 TTCLM final – 3:2 (11:11 in sets) so everything is open before the second clash schedulled for next Wednesday May 8th. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was man of the match as he secured two points for his side inlcuding deciding one.
German player beat FANG Bo in the opener after full five games reversing the score from 1-2 to 3-2. Host took third set by a narrow margin but German responded by two convincing sets. Both players entered this clash with 9-2 season’s win-loss records.
Croatia’s Andrej GACINA showed fierce fighting spirit returning from 2-0 down to victory against YAN An. UMMC player won third and second game by a narrow margin taking few amazing rallies.The turning point was one at 6:7 when China’s player had an easy position to improve his lead but GACINA was rewarded for his effort (7:7) in spite of being pushed far from the table.
Alexander SHIBAEV extended Vladimir SAMSONOV to full distance but missed match-point in the fifth set. Belarus had a chance to end the clash after third game (he led 2-0 8:7) but host survived thanks to his stormy forehand.
Two China’s players met in the fourth match when FANG Bo prevailed in straight games against YAN An. It was unique encounter in first leg without any excitements.
GACINA won the opening set against OVTCHAROV and reversed the score from 0:4 to 7:6 in the second one but since that German controlled the game and brought victory to Orenburg.
2018/19 TTCLM final leg 1
TTSC UMMC – Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg 2:3 (11:11)
FANG Bo – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 2:3 (11:8 6:11 13:11 5:11 5:11)
Andrej GACINA – YAN An 3:2 (14:16 8:11 11:9 11:9 11:7)
Alexander SHIBAEV – Vladimir SAMSONOV 2:3 (9:11 10:12 11:9 11:8 10:12)
FANG Bo – YAN An 3:0 (11:5 11:9 11:6)
Andrej GACINA – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 1:3 (11:7 8:11 3:11 7:11)
