Other Events | 2 May 2015

BOLL lost despite brilliant performance

Timo BOLL, the winner of the bronze medal in Men’s Singles Event at the World Championships 2011 in Rotterdam, despite brilliant performance failed to repeat the success at the QOROS 2015 World Table Tennis Championships. German player lost against World’

Timo BOLL, the winner of the bronze medal in Men’s Singles Event at the World Championships 2011 in Rotterdam, despite brilliant performance failed to repeat the success at the QOROS 2015 World Table Tennis Championships.
German player lost against World’s no 4 FAN Zhendong in six games (10:12, 9:11, 11:8, 7:11, 15:13, 7:11). Compering his performance to the one in previous rounds, BOLL took it to the next level. He was fast, deadly precise, but still it was not enough…

“Against Chinese players you just had to be better. It is just like that. Chinese players force you to give the best you have. I have doubts I could play much better then I played today. I had chances in two opening games, had few nets, edges…maybe I am missing a little bit of luck sometimes,” said BOLL.

BOLL was in the lead in two opening sets, but he managed to convert game point and add the set to his record in the third game. “I need to feel their game before I come at the big tournament. I even play Chinese Super League, but it is not enough. In short period of time, your hand just lost the feeling for them. Only way is to make chance to practice with Chinese players before the big Championships. That is the only way we can adjust our game and get into the match more relaxed and prepared. Now we are preparing for Chinese play during the match, and then it is too late. Maybe I will not need that little luck after all if I would be ready for them. Here, it was like against MA Long in Paris. They make a big gap at the beginning and later it is hard to catch them.”

Despite Patrick FRANZISKA’S brave effort, World’s no. 14 FANG Bo made his way to the medal rostrum tomorrow. Player from Germany, currently placed at position no. 56, lost 1:4 (5:11,9:11,11:8,5:11,5:11). “I was two games in reverse in previous round against KOU Lei, so I was not afraid when Bo made advantage. The tactics remained the same; I kept on fighting. Already at the closing stage of the second game I played very good and I started to adjust to his rhythm. However, I missed ball at 9:9, to easy,” said FRANZISKA.

Patrick won third game and started well the next one. “In both, fourth and fifth games I had a lead, but Bo forced me into errors.”

FRANZISKA was close to the medal and that is the fact no one could predict. “I am not happy now, but tonight on our dinner with the team I will hopefully realize the scale of success here. I was in the fight for medal and that is a big thing.”

Coach Jorg ROSSKOPF has all the reason to be proud of his players. Both, BOLL and FRANZISKA reached quarterfinals and both gave their best prior to defeat. “I am very happy. Of course we did not expect Dimitrij OVTCHAROV’s early departure, but performance of rest of the team was at the highest level. BOLL played fantastic match. He was unlucky with few balls, especially in two opening games. If he managed to take even one of those two games, it could be different story,” said ROSSKOPF. ”FRANZISKA was out of the game for more then a four months and he had outstanding tournament here. His game against Marcos FREITAS proved that he might be very consistent. It was very important win.”