Europe Top-16 Cup | 21 Oct 2018

FAN Zhendong halted BOLL at the final hurdle

Liebherr 2018 ITTF Men’s World

 

Listed in top spot on the current world rankings, the top seed at the Liebherr 2018 ITTF Men’s World Cup China’s FAN Zhendong underlined the reasons why he holds the prestigious positions. At final hurdle in the splendid setting of the Disney Arena, he beat Germany’s Timo BOLL, the no.2 seed (11-9, 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8) to arrest the title.

 

It was for Timo Boll, in what is now his 15th appearance in Men’s World Cup tournament, the sixth time he had appeared in the final and the seventh time he had concluded matters standing on the podium.

 

On debut in 2002 in Jinan, he emerged victorious, before regaining the title in Liège in 2005; most certainly Liège has been a favourite destination, in 2008 and last year he was the runner up. Also in 2012 in Liverpool, he finished in the silver medal position, having two years earlier in Magdeburg concluded matters in third place.

 

Meanwhile, for Fan Zhendong, he was appearing in his third final in three excursions; in 2015 in Halmstad he was the runner up, in 2016 in Saarbrücken, the winner.Now once again in Paris, he was the winner.

 

China’s Lin Gaoyuan secured third place, in the bronze medal match, the no.4 seed beat Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, the no.3 seed, in five games (11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3).

 

“I’m very happy that I won the bronze medal. It’s a pity that I lost the match this morning but I gave my best, the same in this match. I’m happy in the end,” said Lin Gaoyuan

 

It was for Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, the third time in now eleven appearances in the Men’s World Cup that he had reached the final day. In addition to winning last year in Liège, he had finished in third place in 2013 in Verviers and two years later in Halmstad.