Chengdu Airlines Men’s World Cup Group Stage
Daniel HABESOHN of Austria after fantastic performance against Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus booked his place in the main draw of the Chengdu Airlines Men’s World Cup in China. Top spot in the same group belongs to Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany; Kristian KARLSSON is at the top of the Group C whilst Simon GAUZY of France progressed to the Round of 16 from the spot no. two.
Legendary SAMSONOV managed to recover from 3-1 and to level the match at 3-3 but HABESOHN showed no mercy in the decisive game (11-8 11-9 7-11 12-10 5-11 7-11 11-5). Previously. Germany’s OVTCHAROV secured his place in the last 16 as he beat Vladimir SAMSONOV 4-2 (11-8 11-5 7-11 11-7 7-11 11-6).
“We know each other very well there’s no more surprises. He knows what I think and I know how he thinks so I think the one who is in a better shape on the day will win. Today I was better and stronger. I don’t know who I will play against so right now I’m happy I won both of my matches today and qualify for the main draw in which I’ll try my very best to win a medal ” said OVTCHAROV.
In the opening match Dimitrij overcame HABESOHN but that match was also full of drama. After 3-0 lead OVTCHAROV barely managed to withstood the spirited comeback from Austria’s player (11-5 11-8 11-9 8-11 8-11 7-11 11-8).
OVTCHAROV will meet Mattias FALCK of Sweden in Round of 16 whilst HABESOHN will play against FAN Zhenndog of China.
Swede KARLSSON secured his place among top 16 players with both matches wins today. He overcame the lowest seeded player on duty Australia’s Heming HU (8-11 11-2 11-8 15-13 11-8) and needed only 30 minutes to overcame Nigerian Quadri ARUNA (12-10 11-7 11-8 11-9). KARLSSON will play against LIN Yun Ju of Taipei in main draw.
Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN top Group D with Simon GAUZY on the position no. two. Jonathan GROTH failed to post a win today. GNANASEKARAN beat Groth in six games (11-3 12-10 7-11 16-14 8-11 11-8). GAUZY overcame GROTH (11-9 7-11 11-5 11-6 11-2) and lost to GNANASEKARAN (13-11 11-9 8-11 12-14 11-7 5-11 8-11).
“I think it was a good match against GROTH especially mentally after losing such a close match this morning. I took 15 minutes to digest this defeat. I need to come back and try my best to win this match to be in the round of 16 tomorrow. That is what i did and I played really good match ” explained GAUZY.
GAUZY will meet MA Long of China in next round. Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN will play against Timo BOLL of Germany.
