Other Events | 19 Aug 2017
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV wins thriller against Quadri ARUNA to reach Bulgaria Open final
Photo: Courtesy ITTF
The Seamaster 2017 World Tour Asarel Bulgaria Open in Panagyurishte
Top seeded player of the Men`s Singles event, Germany`s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV won semi-final thriller against Nigeria`s Quadri ARUNA to set final clash with Japanese Kenta MATSUDAIRA. African player, who created biggest upset at the 2016 Rio Olympics, defeating German Timo BOLL in the Round 4, this time was very close to beat BOLL`s compatriot. But, World no.4 managed to recover in spite of being two games down - 4:3 (11:6, 9:11, 8:11, 8:11, 11:4, 11:8, 11:6).
Kenta MATSUDAIRA prevailed against his compatriot Kenta TAZOE in the semi-final of the Seamaster 2017 World Tour Asarel Bulgaria Open in Panagyurishte. Few hours before, TAZOE eliminated MATSUDAIRA`s brother Kenji after full seven games of the all-Japanese quarter-final.
Regarding Women`s Singles event, Kasumi ISHIKAWA and Mima ITO confirmed their rankings in the all-Japanese semi-final. Top seeded ISHIKAWA eliminated Miyu KATO in six games of the semi-final stage, while 16-year-old ITO overcame Honoka HASHIMOTO after five sets.
Men`s Singles
Quarter-finals: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) – Muziki OIKAWA (Japan) 4:0 (11:6, 11:0, 11:0, 11:0) – OIKAWA injured, Asuka MACHI (Japan) - Quadri ARUNA (Nigeria) 1:4 (3:11, 11:6, 3:11, 10:12, 6:11), Kenji MATSUDAIRA (Japan) – Kenta TAZOE (Japan) 3:4 (9:11, 7:11, 11:13, 11:8, 12:10, 13:11, 10:12), Jin UEDA (Japan) – Kenta MATSUDAIRA (Japan) 1:4 (8:11, 11:7, 6:11, 2:11, 5:11).
Semi-finals: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (Germany) – Quadri ARUNA (Nigeria) 4:3 (11:6, 9:11, 8:11, 8:11, 11:4, 11:8, 11:6), Kenta TAZOE (Japan) - Kenta MATSUDAIRA (Japan) 1:4 (7:11, 4:11, 8:11, 11:7, 10:12).
