Other Events | 1 May 2015

FRANZISKA is making impossible–possible

As most of people predicted, Germany will have two players in the quarterfinal. However, what no one can expect is those two will be Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA. Departure of the best-ranked European player Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was one of the major upse

As most of people predicted, Germany will have two players in the quarterfinal. However, what no one can expect is those two will be Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA. Departure of the best-ranked European player Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was one of the major upsets in early rounds, but speaking in terms of upsets FRANZISKA’s stroke back in full power.

Patrick FRANZISKA will play in the quarterfinal of the QOROS 2015 World Table Tennis Championships in Suzhou, China. In the Round of the 16, today he beat KOU Lei of Ukraine 4:2 (7:11, 8:11, 11:8, 11:6, 11:9, 11:8). “I really never expected that I would reach this far. My aim was to beat player who is better ranked then me, to gain some points for rankings…I have played very well in the Bundesleague last week, but after my injury there is still a little of uncertainty how I will come back,” said FRANZISKA.

Patrick made comeback in great style for sure…“The beginning of my game against KOU was not really a dream start. I played aggressive, hard…and that is just what he loves. He took fully advantage of that tactics and won two opening games.”

Young star had to try something else. “I changed the tactics, started to play softer, with lot of rotation on the ball. I was clever. The breaking point was the in the fifth game. Though, I was constantly in reverse I managed to win it. After that I was in the driving seat.”

Tomorrow, at the penultimate day he will meet FANG Bo. “We played against each other only once, when I was junior. Of course, he has beaten me.  However, I did not get this far by being afraid of challenge. I will try once again to make possible from impossible. I will fight hard,” promised FRANZISKA.

Timo BOLL accounted for WONG Chun Ting of Hong Kong 4:1 (11:9, 11:8, 3:11, 12:10, 15:13). “WONG Chun Ting improved his game a lot during the last one, or two years. I could remember when we played the first time in the Japan Open a few years ago. I said already to my coach this guy was not so bad and maybe he would be a quite good player in the future, but everybody was laughing at me. But now, WONG is really a top-20 player and played a good tournament,” explained BOLL. “I played my best game today in the tournament. I knew that his backhand is very strong, but I am afraid of his forehand because it is powerful and very spinning. So, anyway, even his back is good, I tried to attack it and tried to use my top spins.”

ZHANG Jike prevailed against Vladimir SAMSONOV of Belarus 4:1 (16:14, 11:8, 3:11, 12:10, 15:13). Those two meet each other on two occasions: 2012 Olympic Games and at German Open six weeks before. Chinese champion won both times. “ZHANG simply played better today. I had a game ball in the opening set, but I lost it. If it happened differently I might have a chance. ZHANG played aggressive, I was forced to take a lot of risks and I made few more mistakes then I should.”

Asked to make comparison between previous generation of Chinese stars and todays biggest names, SAMSONOV said: “They were good then and they are good now. Chinese players won all important titles, it is hard to judge who is more or less superior. IT makes no difference for us. If you beat one Chinese player in the next round will come next. It is like you banging your head against the wall.”

At the end laughing, SAMSONOV said:” I do not know are the new generation better or I am just older.”