Member Associations | 2 Mar 2014

First time for OVTCHAROV as German Champ

OVTCHAROV celebrated his first ever victory in singles at National Closed Championships held this weekend in Wetzlar. In the final, European Champion, overcame Timo BOLL and denied him of record breaking 10th title. “This is an overwhelming feeling.

OVTCHAROV celebrated his first ever victory in singles at National Closed Championships held this weekend in Wetzlar. In the final, European Champion, overcame Timo BOLL and denied him of record breaking 10th title. “This is an overwhelming feeling. It was real fun to play here,” said OVTCHAROV.

On Sunday, he finally made brake through. In 2007, 2011 and 2012, he had lost in the singles’ final. His opponent in this year’s final, Timo BOLL, is still waiting for his 10th title which would put him as the only player on top of the national list of table tennis victories. At the moment, he shares this position with Eberhard SCHÖLER, Konrad FREUNDORFER and Nicole STRUSE who all won 9 singles titles. “To lose in a final is always a pity. But to lose to a good buddy, makes it bearable,” BOLL said.

OVTCHAROV plays in his life form. “Against Timo I have to play at a very high level, only then I have a chance. I am super happy that I have now won this title after I celebrated so many great achievements since 2012. A national Champions title just has to be included in a player’s vita.”

SHAN Xiaona successfully defended her singles title at the German Championships. In the final, which was followed by more than 3,000 spectators in the sold-out Rittal Arena Wetzlar, she defeated her national team colleague HAN Ying in 6 games. It was hard work. In the 5th game at 9-7 for HAN the Expedite System had to be introduced. “It was the first Expedite System game of my life. I never thought this would happen to me, because I play actually quite good against defense ,” said SHAN.

This unfamiliar situation confused her at the beginning. In addition, Han successfully proofed her offensive qualities. “The Expedite System is after all a small disadvantage for me,” said the number 18 in the world ranking, HAN Ying. “For the attacker it is always easier.”

Anyway, HAN Ying was not too sad in the end. “Of course I would rather have won. I’ve enjoyed playing here. The spectators were great. It was a fantastic atmosphere in Wetzlar. It was a lot of fun, and that I reached the final outweighs the joy.”

Through the title 31-year-old SHAN Xiaona gets a boost for her self-confidence, she stated. “I’ve lost too early at the latest World Tour tournaments and thereby lost some points in the Worlds ranking. Now it’s hopefully going up again. I hope that I can continue and play well at the German Open.”

Tonight she can celebrate 2 titles. Just before the singles event she had already won the doubles partnering her buddy Kristin SILBEREISEN. Lars HIELSCHER/Bastian STEGER won the men’s doubles event. It was their 4th national title pairing each other.

Women’s Doubles, Semi-final: SHAN/SILBEREISEN – BOLLMEIER/KRÄMER 4:2 (6,4,-9,6,-10,5), SOLJA/WINTER – BARTHEL/MÜHLBACH  4:1 (8,8,4,-13,10). Final: SOLJA/WINTER – SHAN/SILBEREISEN 2:4 (7,-9,9,-9,-8,-4)
Men’s Singles, Semi-final: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Ruwen FILUS 4:1 (-5,4,8,3,6), Timo BOLL – Patrick FRANZISKA 4:0 (8,8,5,7). Final: BOLL – OVTCHAROV 1:4 (-8,-4, 9,-7,-10)
Women’s Singles, Semi-final: HAN Ying – Nina MITTELHAM 4:0 (11,6,6,8), SHAN Xiaona – Irene IVANCAN 4:1 (3,9,-8,4,7). Final: SHAN Xiaona – HAN Ying 4:2 (6,10,10,-9,-15,7)
Men’s Doubles, Semi-final: HIELSCHER/STEGER – CHRIST/WEHKING 4:2 (10,4,-8,8,-8,9), DUDA/MENGEL – MOHR/SCHEJA 4:1 (-9,7,5,7,9). Final: HIELSCHER/STEGER – DUDA/MENGEL 4:1 (10,11,9,-10,5)