World Championships | 23 Apr 2019

Big guns entered the scene

LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF World Championships

In the opening round of the Men’s Singles Event at the LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF World Championships, Swede Truls MOREGARD exceeded his rankings and overcame HO Kwan Kit of Hong Kong. Ranked at the position no. 153, Truls needed six games to overcame World’s no. 79 (5-11, 10-12, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11).

 

“I was holding to the tactics that we set before the game; to be aggressive with the return, to go for the long service. However, he managed to come back after being three to null down. I was little bit nervous, but managed to calm down and to finish the match,” said MOREGARD.

 

Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece needed one game less to overcame Hunor SZOCS of Romania (11-5, 3-11, 11-13, 8-11, 6-11).

 

“We played so many time against each other. I had a shaky start, I needed time to settle into the rhythm. That is why I lost first game and struggled in second. But after I took control it was one-way street. Hunor is not playing well against my defensive style; I forced him to put many balls on the table and he really got tired. I had a good feeling for the game here,” said GIONIS.

 

Andrej GACINA of Croatia put some pressure on Germany’s Timo BOLL 2-4 (8-11, 11-7, 7-11, 16-18, 11-7, 8-11).

 

“We played many times before against each other and I lost in few occasions in the past. I respect him and I know how dangerous he is. I was not very confident with my game especially when he came close. I had to work hard here, but so far I am happy with this victory,” said BOLL.

 

His teammate Dimitrij OVTCHAROV also commenced his journey successfully. Dimitrij overcame Michael TAUBER of Israel (11-5, 11-8, 15-13, 11-8).

 

“It is very important here not to lose any game and not give an opportunity to adversary to come back. There were few difficult moments, close situations…TAUBER risked a lot,” said OVTCHAROV.

 

Emmanuel LEBESSON of France went through agonizing seven games to beat Pavel PLATONOV of Belarus (5-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6).

 

“At 1:1 I had 9:3 and I lost third game. It was very difficult match for me, I had to put three to five balls to the table for each point,” explained LEBESSON.