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International News & Results 2001-2002
Irish News & Results
12-01-02
Goodbye to World Champions
Tianjin, China, 11 January 2002. They came into the Grand Finals as substitutes – already on Friday they had to leave again. The World Champions in men’s doubles YAN Sen/WANG Liqin (CHN) lost in the first round to Timo BOLL/Zoltan FEJER-KONNERTH (GER).
The young Germans finished nr. 1 on the Pro Tour standings – the Chinese World Champions did not finish among the 8 best and only came into the Grand Finals as substitutes for their compatriots MA Lin/WANG Hao who cancelled because WANG Hao was injured.
Actually in this particular match it really looked like the Pro Tour nr. 1 playing against substitutes. YAN Seng/WANG Liqin never really got going and especially YAN Sen made lots of errors. The Germans played with high risk – and never missed.
They took the 1st, 2nd and 4th game quite easily and they even had 10-7 in the 3rd game as well but they lost it 12-10.
In the 5th the Chinese took the lead but the Germans caught them at 7-7. From 9-9 the luck was really on the side of the Germans. They had two edge balls to win the match – but it doesn’t change the fact that the Germans were the best pair on the day.
“If you want to beat the World Champions you have to play with high risk, and that was what we did. I cannot remember we ever played that well”, says a happy Zoltan FEJER-KONNERTH.
Oh did not last
The Korean star OH Sang Eun plays very well against the World Champion WANG Liqin (CHN) – in the first two games.
It happened at the Swedish Open and again at the Grand Finals on Friday. OH went to 2-0 playing like he was the World Champion. It is well known though that WANG is a slow starter and OH knows that sooner or later the World Champion comes after him.
From 0-2 WANG took three easy games in a row and with a little bit of luck he also took the 6th 11-8 to win the match 4-2.
In the semi final WANG will meet Jean-Michel SAIVE (BEL) who seems to have found new energy and motivation here in Tianjin. The last period SAIVE has been suffering losing a lot, but now he is in the semi final at the Grand Finals. He beat the young CHUAN Chih Yuan (TPE) 4-2, and the Belgian is now the only European left.
“Perhaps I play better with jetlag”, says SAIVE when he is asked why things are suddenly improving.
Chinese simply too strong
The two semi finals in women’s singles will be a Chinese matter – the four quarter-finals were all won by Chinese.
The World Champion WANG Nan was the one who was closest to defeat. The match against Tamara BOROS (CRO) went to the 7th and decisive game and the Croatian hard hitter had 7-4. 4 points away from the victory – but she never got closer.
WANG Nan took a time out, and that broke the ice – beneath BOROS. She lost 7 points in a row just to see WANG go away with the victory.
Still in for an other title
The North Koreans KIM Hyon Hui and KIM Hyang Mi came to the Grand Finals with a Pro Tour title (English Open) and they are still in for another title. On Friday they advanced to the semi finals by beating the South Korean defensive pair KIM Kyung Ah/KIM Bok Rae.
Kim Hyon Hui/KIM Hyang Mi went to 3-1 and they had 6-2 in the 5th. After a time out the South Koreans came back and they even had a game point. The North Koreans though stayed calm and KIM Hyang Mi took the last point to 13-11 by killing a high ball.
11-01-02
ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals in Tianjin, China, with the 16 best players in men’s and women’s singles and the 8 best pairs in men’s and women’s doubles. Prize money 235.000 US Dollars.
Hard to forget
Tianjin, China, 10 January 2002. During the last months Jan-Ove WALDNER has lost two times to the young Chinese MA Lin. In the first round in men’s singles at the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals WALDNER finally had the victory in his pocket – but MA slipped away surviving five match points and winning the 7th game 12-10.
It will be a difficult one to forget for WALDNER. The Swede seemed fit and focused, and he really pushed MA Lin to the edge. In the last decisive game WALDNER went to 8-2 and 10-5 – but then he stopped taking chances and MA Lin won 7 points in a row to take the match.
First match – first upset
In the very first match of the Grand Finals the crowd saw a surprising victory for Jean-Michel SAIVE (BEL) over Nr. 4 on the World Ranking LIU Guozheng (CHN).
The Belgian star won the first game, LIU evened to 1-1 but from then on SAIVE was in charge. Each and every game was still close but SAIVE went to 3-1. In the 5th game he was down 6-10 but he came back and won the match on his second match point.
“LIU is the Chinese player – among the best – who I feel I can beat. I had a very close match with him at the US Open and today I felt very well against him. Even when I was down with 3-4 points I still felt I had the chance”, says Jean-Michel SAIVE. “I went in there having nothing to lose and after a bad period with many losses I really needed this one”.
Kim Hyon Hui challenged Wang Nan
The North Korean left hander KIM Hyon Hui once more proved that she can challenge the best in the World when she forced the World Champion to give her very best to beat her in the first round of women’s singles.
WANG Nan went quite easily to 2-0 but then KIM came into the match with her brilliant blocking and her good forehand top spin. KIM won the 3rd but WANG went to 3-1 winning the 4th 11-5. KIM stayed in there and came back to 2-3 before the World Champion took the match winning the 6th game 11-6.
In the quarter finals WANG Nan will face Tamara BOROS (CRO) who won 11-9 in the 7th game against Yuka NISHII (JPN).
The Grand finals will continue on Friday with quarter finals in both singles and doubles. Finals will be played on Saturday and Sunday.
2-12-01
Ma Lin learned to play to 11
Farum, Denmark, 2 December 2001. The Chinese nr. 6 in the World MA Lin has had his worries about the new counting system playing to 11 – he hasn’t won anything with the shorter games and he obviously hasn’t been feeling well with the new system.
On Sunday he proved that he can learn – he took the title in men’s singles at the Farum Danish Open beating Jan-Ove WALDNER (SWE) 4-1.
WALDNER had fought his way into the final beating Werner SCHLAGER (AUT) and LEE Chul Seung (KOR) but against MA Lin he couldn’t keep up.
The two opponents played beautiful rallies, but WALDNER missed the last 10 pct. to be able to dominate MA Lin – and when MA Lin can get in control he is very difficult to beat.
MA took the first game but WALDNER evened to 1-1. Also the following games were close but all the time with the Chinese one step ahead.
“I knew how to play him and in many rallies I succeeded. I had problems with his services though and then it is difficult. Anyway playing in Denmark has been great and I qualified for the Grand Finals. So after all I guess I am quite happy with the weekend”, says WALDNER.
“It is true that it has taken me some time to adjust to the 11 points system. I have played 5 international events before Denmark and finally now I feel that I am finding my rhythm with the short games”, says MA Lin.
Both MA Lin and WALDNER needed at least a place in the semi-finals to qualify for the Grand Finals in Tianjin, China, in January, and they both succeeded. That cost Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) the trip to China. He chose to stay at home and lost his place among the best 16 who goes to the Grand Finals.
Li Jia took the title
LI Jia (CHN) came to Farum Danish Open to earn the necessary points to qualify for the Grand Finals. She did that already by reaching the semi-finals – but why stop there?
LI Jia went on to the final and on Sunday afternoon she took the Danish title by ousting Aya UMEMURA (JPN) in 4 straight sets. LI Jia never looked back, and she is now going to China with a Pro Tour title in her bag.
UMEMURA is doing the same though she lost. The Japanese came out of nowhere to win the Brazilian Open this year and beside that she reached two finals – here in Denmark and at the US Open.
Koreans simply too strong
The Koreans missed out in singles but in doubles they succeeded. KIM Taek Soo and OH Sang Eun took the title in men’s doubles beating MA Lin/WANG Hao (CHN) in the final.
The two Koreans are playing doubles at a World class level and the Chinese couldn’t follow them. Maybe MA Lin was mentally tired after winning the men’s singles final and maybe the young WANG Hao is still missing some international experience. The Koreans won 4-1.
By reaching the final MA Lin and WANG Hao qualified to the Grand Finals as the only Chinese pair in men’s doubles, which means that the World Champions WANG Liqin and YAN Sen will not be in.
The Danish title in women’s doubles is also leaving for Korea. RYU Ji Hye/LEE Eun Sil (KOR) won the final 4-2 over BAI Yang/LI Jia (CHN).
Men’s singles:
MA Lin (CHN) vs Jan-Ove WALDNER (SWE) 11-4, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-8 (4-1)
Women’s singles:
LI Jia (CHN) vs Aya UMEMURA (JPN) 11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (4-0)
Men’s doubles:
KIM Taek Soo/OH Sang Eun (KOR) vs MA Lin/WANG Hao (CHN) 14-12, 11-9, 13-11, 7-11, 11-7 (4-1)
Women’s doubles:
RYU Ji Hye/LEE Eun Sil (KOR) vs LI Jia/BAI Yang (CHN) 11-7, 11-4, 6-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9 (4-2)
1-12-01
Waldner and Ma Lin did it
Farum, Denmark, 1st December 2001. WALDNER and MA Lin are in – SAMSONOV is out of the Pro Tour Grand Finals in Tianjin, China. That is the conclusion already after the semi-finals at the Farum Danish Open.
Being nr. 13 before the Danish Pro Tour event (and with 16 players qualifying) Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) chose to stay at home – and he was punished for that. RYU Seung Min (KOR) and Kalinikos KREANGA was just by being in Denmark certain to earn enough points to pass SAMSONOV. On Saturday MA Lin (CHN) and Jan-Ove WALDNER (SWE) overtook SAMSONOV as well when they both reached the semi finals.
WALDNER was playing like in the good old days – in the 3rd round against OH Sang Eun (KOR) and in the quarter final against Werner SCHLAGER (AUT). It was easy to see that WALDNER wanted to be in the prestigious Grand Finals and though SCHLAGER did not play bad at all the Swede was in charge.
“I also felt motivated at the Swedish Open last week, but I just didn’t win the points and missed out in the first round. Today everything worked for me – yes I was really determined to qualify”, says a relieved WALDNER.
WALDNER is now playing LEE Chul Seung (KOR). If LEE wins that match and goes to the final he will take the 16th place in the Grand Finals and send LIU Guozheng (CHN) out in the cold together with SAMSONOV.
In the other semi-final MA Lin (CHN) is facing Kalinikos KREANGA (GRE) who stopped LIU Guoliang (CHN) in the quarter.
Decision getting closer
LI Jia Wei (SIN) and KIM Bok Rae (KOR) stumbled just in front of the door into the Grand Finals in women’s singles – LI Jia (CHN) probably made her way inside, JING Jun Hong (SIN) can still make it.
LI Jia Wei needed a place in the semi finals – and she almost had it. At 3-3 against LI Jia she had 8-4 in the 7th game, but the Chinese came back to take the match.
KIM Bok Rae as well needed a place in the semi final but she lost to the Singapore player JING Jun Hong.
Now it is a matter for Li Jia (CHN) and JING Jun Hong (SIN) to decide who will qualify. For sure the German Jie SCHOPP, who was nr. 16 before Farum Danish Open, is now out in the cold.
In men’s doubles 3 pairs have taken place nr. 6, 7 and 8 even though the final in Denmark is not yet played. Allan BENTSEN/Finn TUGWELL (DEN), CHEUNG Yuk/LEUNG Shu Yuan (HKG) and MA Lin/WANG Hao (CHN) took the last 3 tickets to Tianjin.
Semi finals and finals will be played tomorrow.
DANISH OPEN 30-11-01
Rosskopf missed out
Farum, Denmark, 30 November 2001. Nr. 13 in the World, Jorg ROSSKOPF (GER), needed a good result in men’s singles at the Farum Danish Open to ensure his place in the Grand Finals in Tianjin, China, in January. An arm injury though destroyed ROSSKOPF’s hope.
ROSSKOPF playing with a hurting left arm lost 4-0 to CHEUNG Yuk (HKG) without even being close. ROSSKOPF only got 6, 9, 5, 6.
“My arm was simply hurting too much. My doctor can’t tell what it is. Now I need a break”, says ROSSKOPF who will now for sure be outside the 16 who go to China.
Two other stars, MA Lin (CHN) and Jan-Ove WALDNER (SWE) can still reach the Grand Finals but they both need at least to go to the semi finals to have a chance. They both won so being among the last 16 the hope is still alive.
Youngster moves forward
The Japanese Ann KONISHI (nr. 25 in the World) is only 20 years old but anyway on Friday she was “overtaken” by the new Japanese generation, losing in women’s singles to compatriot Ai FUKUHARA, only 13.
Ai FUKUHARA proved her talent among the adults already at the Japan Open in September and she moved into the top 100 on the World Ranking but beating An KONISHI was a big upset for her.
FUKUHARA won the 1st game 12-10 and lost the 2nd 11-13. From then on FUKUHARA was on top. She played well and kept the pressure on KONISHI.
FUKUHARA is now in the round of the last 16 and no matter what happens in her match against Anne-Sophie GOURIN (FRA) the young Japanese will make another step forward on the world Ranking.
The two favourites in women’s singles RYU Ji Hye (KOR) and LI Jia Wei (SIN) are both still in there.
Farum Danish Open is the last of 12 Pro Tour events, and in January the 16 best men and women, and the 8 best men’s and women’s doubles pairs go to the Grand Finals with 235.000 US Dollars in total prize money.
The next two days will show who will go to China.
Finals will be played on Sunday.
25-11-01
Slow starter – big champion
Skövde, Sweden, 25 November 2001. WANG Liqin (CHN) once more proved that he is a slow starter – and a champion – at the Swedish Open. In the final in men’s singles against RYU Seung Min (KOR) WANG was down 2-0 but he came back to win the match 4-2 and take the Swedish title.
The 5th game – at 2-2 – was crucial. RYU had 5-0 but then WANG went to 6-8. The game went to 10-10 and RYU had several game points without being able to take it. Instead WANG won and in the 6th game, the Chinese was on top. He won easily to take the title as Swedish Open Champion.
RYU had an excellent tournament beating Jan-Ove WALDNER (SWE), Jorg ROSSKOPF (GER) and Fredrik HAKANSSON (SWE) but WANG he couldn’t overcome.
This was WANG Liqin’s first win with the 11 point system. At the World Cup two weeks ago he lost the final to Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) but now the Chinese seems to be back.
From november last year and until the Swedish Open Tamara BOROS CRO) had been in 4 Pro Tour finals in women’s singles and lost them all – now it is 5.
Tamara BOROS lost the final in women’s singles to GUO Yan (CHN) though she several times was in winner’s position.
In the 1st game BOROS was leading 7-4 but then everything suddenly fell apart and GUO went to 7-10 and took the game. After that the Croatian won the next 3 games keeping GUO’s forehand out of the game.
GUO though is a fighter. She came back to 3-3 and in the last decisive game BOROS didn’t have a chance losing 5-11.
GUO certainly has a better record than BOROS. The Chinese has been in 2 finals this year – and won both. She is now Croatian and Swedish Open Champion.
Champions in Men’s Doubles: WANG Liqin/YAN Sen (CHN)
Champions in Women’s Doubles: BAI Yang/YING Yang (CHN)
23-11-01
The revival of Rosskopf
Skövde, Sweden, 23 November 2001. The former World Champion and Olympic medallist Jorg ROSSKOPF (GER) is enjoying a “new life” in these weeks. At the World Cup in Italy two weeks ago he came 3rd beating several players from the top 10 on the World Ranking – today at the Swedish Open he did it again taking out nr. 2 in the World, LIU Guozheng (CHN,).
ROSSKOPF started out like he was the World’s 2nd best player and he went to 3-0 before LIU Guozheng came into the match. LIU took the two following games and went to 8-8 in the 6th. ROSSKOPF though did not get scared. He took the game to win 4-2.
“It has been – and still is - an excellent period for me. I am playing better and better, and now I am the one winning the close games. I have the courage to “invent something” even at 10-10 and that makes the difference”, says ROSSKOPF.
Swede Fredrik HAKANSSON saved the Swedish party by overcoming the Austrian star Werner SCHLAGER. After WALDNER’s defeat HAKANSSON is the only Swede left – and he is still there for the quarter finals tomorrow – meeting the Polish Tomasz KRZEZEWSKI .
A new player seems to have entered the World scene. Tomasz KRZEZEWSKI until October was a good middle class player (nr. 62 on the World Ranking). Then he won the Dutch Open beating among others Vladimir SAMSONOV (BEL) and Timo BOLL (GER) and the success seems to have changed the Polish. Now he is in the quarter finals in Sweden after taking out nr. 7 in the World KIM Taek Soo (KOR).
In women’s singles the two favourites are both still in. RYU Ji Hye (KOR) has the chance to win her 3rd title in a row (she won the German and Dutch Open). 2nd seed Tamara BOROS was is serious trouble being down 0-3 and 9-10 against the young Chinese JIANG Huajun. BOROS in some way survived and won the match 4-3.
CHAMP SYED COMMENCES COMMONWEALTH GAMES CAMPAIGN
The 31 year old 3 times Commonwealth champion and 4 times England national champion Matthew Syed (Richmond, Surrey) plays for the first time in an international competition since retaining his Commonwealth men’s singles title in New Delhi on 20th April, when he competes in the Danish Open International Pro Tour event at Farum from 29th November to 2nd December.
The first class Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree graduate from Balliol College, University of Oxford, has continued competing in professional leagues in France and Japan, but the Danish Open will be the first stage of Syed’s competitive campaign to win the Commonwealth Games men’s singles title in Manchester from 25th July to 4th August 2002, and thereby lift the Commonwealth title for a record fourth time.
“Winning the Commonwealth Games men’s singles title, when table tennis is in the Games for the first time and the Games are in Manchester”, says Syed, “Is the one major ambition I have left in table tennis. I don’t particularly mind where I am ranked in the world, my real focus is on the Games. They are a wonderful opportunity to promote table tennis, especially if as I hope, the England players do well.”
England’s top woman player Nicola Deaton (Chesterfield, Derbyshire), 25, the 4 times national champion, has also given notice that her major target is the Commonwealth Games, and Alex Perry (Devon) and Terry Young (Berkshire) will be defending their men’s doubles title in Manchester. With many up and coming youngsters also battling for England places, England is confident of success at the Games.
Meanwhile, at the Swedish Open International Pro Tour event currently being played at Skovde, England junior champion Kate Steward, 16 from Taunton, Somerset, showed her metal and potential when she saved 4 match points in beating the Swede Jennie Lindstrom 8-11, 9-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-5, 11-8 after being 3 games and 6-10 down. Steward also comfortably overcame Patricia Alvarez (Chile) 11-6, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 in her women’s singles group, but was defeated 4 games to 1 (11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8) by Solene Legay of France. With Katy Parker (Preston, Lancashire), Steward narrowly lost to French pair Agathe Costes and Elizabeth Gladieux, 4-11, 14-16, 11-6, 11-9, 10-12. Both Steward and Parker have benefited by playing for clubs in the Swedish national women’s league.
ENGLAND DIRECTOR OF PERFORMANCE SOREN AHLEN RETURNING TO SWEDEN
Soren Ahlen, one of the world’s top coaches and currently England’s World Class Programme Performance Director, will be leaving the English Table Tennis Association at the end of his contract which concludes after the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002.
Owing to family circumstances, including an excellent opportunity for his wife to pursue her career as a psychiatric nurse in Sweden, the 45 year old Swede, who has been “very happy living and working in England for the first three years”, has accepted an offer to go home and head up the Swedish Table Tennis Association’s new high performance Academy which will be based in Koping.
ETTA Chairman, Alan Ransome OBE, said, “Soren is an excellent coach who is making a very positive impact on our World Class Programme. He will be missed by colleagues and players alike but we wish him every success in his new role in Sweden”.
England players including the three times Commonwealth Champion, Matthew Syed, are strong medal contenders in the Commonwealth Games Table Tennis event, which will take place in Manchester from 25th July to 4th August 2002
11-11-01
Mr. Unbeatable beaten
Courmayeur, 11 November 2001. For more than one year the World Champion WANG Liqin (CHN) had not lost even one single match in an individual event on the international scene. At the Men’s World Cup it happened – and the defeat was a tough one.
In the World Cup final he was simply outclassed by Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) who beat him 4-0 and never left any doubt.
The first 3 games came easy to SAMSONOV. In the 4th WANG took the lead 9-5 but not even that disturbed the Belarus. He took 7 points in a row to win the game and the match.
“I cannot remember when I have ever played that well. Everything was fitting together for me in this tournament. Before the final I decided to be very aggressive, and I succeeded because I received his services very well”, says the World Cup winner adding with a smile that with 44.000 US Dollars in prize money his new born son Victor (from September) can expect a nice present.
The World Champion WANG Liqin – as everybody else – was saluting SAMSONOV.
“He played extremely well, and I congratulate him. I was not happy with my game here in Courmayeur. I used to be a slow starter, and playing to 11 is disturbing me. I’ll have to adjust to that”, says the World Champion WANG Liqin.
Good week for Rosskopf
Jorg ROSSKOPF (GER) crowned an excellent performance at the Men's World Cup in Courmayeur, Italy, by winning the match for the 3rd place against nr. 4 in the World CHIANG Peng-Lung (TPE).
“This has been an excellent week for me beating two Asian players from the top 10 in the World (ROSSKOPF in the quarter finals also beat MA Lin (CHN) - it is a pity we don't have the World Championships in the near future", says ROSSKOPF smiling.
Final:
Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) – WANG Liqin (CHN) 11-7, 11-3, 11-4, 11-9 (4-0)
3rd place:
Jorg ROSSKOPF (GER) – CHIANG Peng-Lung (CHN) 5-11, 11-9, 12-14, 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9 (4-3)
1-11-01
Krzezewski makes his move
Lausanne 1 November 2001. The Polish Tomasz KRZEZEWSKI’s title win in men’s singles at the Dutch Open is to be seen on the new World Ranking issued on Thursday. On his way to the title the Polish beat three top 20 players and he moves from nr. 62 to nr. 32 on the new ranking list.
Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) was one of KRZEZEWSKI’s victims in Rotterdam but one week earlier SAMSONOV won the German Open and that brings him to the 3rd place on the World Ranking (nr. 7 last month).
China will soon have two more young players going into top 50.ZHANG Chao and SHAN Mingjie both reached the semi finals at the Dutch Open and they are moving forward. SHAN Mingjie from 71st to 60th place and ZHANG Chao from 93rd to 66th place.
Outside the top 100 Ahmed ALI SALEH (EGY) made a big move after he beat nr. 15 in the World MA Wenge in Rotterdam. ALI SALEH who is representing Africa at the men’s World Cup in Italy next week moves from nr. 155 to 114.
On the women’s ranking RYU Ji Hye makes a big move after her two title wins in women’s singles at the German and the Dutch Open. RYU moves from nr. 7 to nr. 3 and pushes the two Europeans Mihaela STEFF (ROM) and Tamara BOROS (CRO) down the list.
The young Chinese NIU Jianfeng who reached the semi finals at the Dutch Open
STEFF fell down because she lost to Galina MELNIK (RUS) and MELNIK’s success brings her into top 50. She goes from nr. 73 to nr. 49.
COOKE BEATS BILLINGTON IN ‘BEST EVER’ MATCH, @ NEWCASTLE GP
In a final in which both players agreed was one of the best matches they had ever played, former England and Commonwealth champion Alan Cooke, aged 35, beat his Chesterfield, Derbyshire colleague Bradley Billington 6-11, 11-4, 9-11, 16-14, 15-13 to successfully defend his Newcastle Open Butterfly Grand Prix men’s singles title at the Eldon Leisure Centre last night. Billington, himself a former international and like Cooke a part-time national coach who plays professionally in Switzerland, had 4 match points, 2 in the 4th game and 2 in the 5th, over Cooke, in an epic clash which was replete with spectacular, long range topspin to topspin rallies. In a sense Billington was returning to home turf, as he had studied Sports Science at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle.
In the semi-finals Cooke had been untroubled by Hertfordshire based Hungarian, Gergely Urban, winning 11-4, 11-8, 11-3, while Billington had avenged his Clare Pengelly Butterfly GP final defeat by Middlesex University student Marco Essomba (Surrey) in September, by hitting through the pride of British League champions London Progress 10-12, 11-3, 11-4, 11-4. In the quarter-finals, Essomba, a former Cameroon international, had put out 17 year old Louis Rosenthal (Lancashire), who, once one of England’s brightest young prospects, is making a welcome return to top flight table tennis.
The surprise winner of the women’s singles was 19 year old Chinese Na Liu, who is studying English at Queens University, Belfast. In the semi-finals, Na Lie, who plays a power topspin game using a ‘shake-hands’ grip, only just bettered the defending champion and England no.2 Helen Lower (Wolverhampton, Staffordshire), winning 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10, and the penultimate point was achieved with an edge. However, the final was one-way traffic as she powered through South Bank (London) University student Barbara Kiss (Hertfordshire). Kiss had earlier beaten her Hungarian compatriot Dorka Nagy, also a student, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10.
Na Liu also won the under band 1 women’s singles, beating Alice Howard from Prenton, the Wirral, but 21 year old Howard had an excellent weekend, lifting the under 21 women’s singles and also, with Barbara Kiss, reaching the women’s doubles final.
One of the most exciting finals was the veteran men’s singles when former England international Nigel Eckersley (Sussex) beat former European champion John Hilton (Lancashire – who plays for Darlington in the British League), 11-8, 11-3, 8-11, 6-11, 11-9 from 6-9 down in the fifth game.
The North East had success when Gateshead’s Eddie Smith, of the Darlington British League Club beat German Middlesex University student Christian Hundhausen, of the London Progress Club, 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9 to take the band 1 men’s singles. Cleveland’s Jane Durham had a comfortable 11-4, 11-1, 11-3 final result over Judy Morley (Gloucestershire) for the women’s veterans singles, whilst the talented Michael Marsden (Durham) demonstrated a return to form when he reached the under men’s singles final before being despatched 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 by Scotland’s rising star Gavin Rumgay. In fact a contingent of 20 players had come from north of the border, picking up 4 titles.
Finals results:
Men’s singles (from semi-finals): Alan Cooke (Derbys) bt Gergely Urban (Hungary) 11-4, 11-8, 11-3. Bradley Billington (Derbys) bt Marco Essomba (Surrey) 10-12, 11-3, 11-4, 11-4.
Final: Alan Cooke (Derbys) bt Bradley Billington (Derbys) 6-11, 11-4, 9-11, 16-14, 15-13.
Women’s singles (from semi-finals): Na Liu (Ireland) bt Helen Lower (Staffs) 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10. Barbara Kiss (Herts) bt Dorka Nagy (Hungary) 11-9, 11-9, 12-10.
Final: Na Liu (Ireland) bt Barbara Kiss (Herts) 11-3, 11-6, 11-7.
Men’s doubles: Bradley Billington/Alan Cooke (Derbys) bt Marco Essomba (Surrey)/Jason Sugrue (Middlesex) 11-8, 11-6, 11-5.
Women’s doubles: Helen Lower (Staffs)/Dorka Nagy (Hungary) bt Alice Howard (Cheshire)/Barbara Kiss (Herts) 6-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-6.
Men’s under 21 singles: Gavin Rumgay (Scotland) bt Michael Marsden (Durham) 11-8, 11-7, 11-5.
Women’s under 21 singles: Alice Howard (Cheshire) bt Siwan Davies (Wales) 11-13, 11-3, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5.
Veteran men’s singles: Nigel Eckersley (Sussex) bt John Hilton (Lancs) 11-8, 11-3, 8-11, 6-11, 11-9.
Veteran women’s singles: Jane Durham (Cleveland) bt Judy Morley (Gloucs) 11-4, 11-1, 11-3.
Men’s band 1 singles: Eddie Smith (Northumberland) bt Christian Hundhausen (Middlesex) 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9.
Men’s band 2 singles: Euan Liddle (Scotland) bt Stephen Denny (Yorks) 11-2, 8-11, 11-3, 11-4.
Men’s band 3 singles: James Russell (Scotland) bt Shaun Marples (Derbys) 11-8, 11-9, 11-8.
Men’s band 4 singles: Shaun Bibby (Yorks) bt Ross Martin (Scotland) 11-8, 16-14, 6-11, 3-11, 11-6.
Men’s band 5 singles: Andy Henry (Derbys) bt Roger Moss (Yorks) 11-3, 9-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-9.
Men’s band 6 singles: Andy Henry (Derbys) bt Deepak Arora (Lancs) 11-2, 11-6, 11-8.
Women’s band 1 singles: Na Liu (Ireland) bt Alice Howard (Cheshire) 11-5, 11-4, 11-7.
Women’s band 2 singles: Laura Rumgay (Scotland) bt Zoe Cheeseman (Yorks) 7-11, 11-3, 12-10, 11-9.
Women’s band 3 singles: Amanda Bell (Yorks) bt Carol Homewood (Kent) 11-6, 6-11, 13-11, 11-5.
Dominic Hall & Egley Adonelyte win @ South of England Junior Jarvis Sport GP
Dominic Hall was very much the outstanding player at the South Of England Junior 3 Star Open Jarvis Sport Grand Prix played at Trinity School, Croydon over the weekend, easily beating his Kent colleague Stephen Head 11-6, 11-2, 11-8 to take the junior boys singles.
The new starlet of London Progress, Lithuanian hitter Egley Adonelyte won the junior girls singles but she did not have it easy in her 11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 11-3 victory over Welsh combination bat player Laura Hall.
Brian Johns & Jan Dunning win Mid Cheshire Veteran’s Open
Top seeded Brian Johns (Cheshire) and Jan Dunning (Worcestershire) won the men’s and women’s ‘super’ groups respectively, in the first Mid Cheshire Veteran’s Open championships held at Egerton Youth Centre, Knutsford on Sunday.
ENGLAND WOMEN SCORE EUROPEAN LEAGUE VICTORY OVER POLAND
The England women’s team scored a 3-1 European League 1st Division win over a young Polish side, at home in front of a 170 crowd at the Scarborough Table Tennis Centre last night.
The match started ominously when the national champion Nicola Deaton (Chesterfield, Derbyshire), who is able to devote less time to training owing to her University of Nottingham Psychology degree studies, struggled to overcome nerves and fell 11-13, 4-11, 11-3, 9-11 to 18 year old student Iwona Kuszaj.
However, the England no.2 Helen Lower (Wolverhampton, Staffordshire), Helen Lower was in top form and lost only the third game from 10-7 up in her 11-3, 11-3, 10-12, 11-3 demolition of Monika Pietkiewicz. Then, defending and hitting very well, the 16 year old England junior no.1 Katy Parker (Preston, Lancashire) put up an excellent performance in beating the 20 year old Polish under 21 champion Magdalena Gorowska 11-7, 9-11, 11-13, 11-3, 11-8 to put England ahead.
It was left to Nicola Deaton to secure the match for England. She again started incredibly nervously to go 2 games down against 18 year old Pietkiewicz, but managed to pull herself together to level the games and then won a cliffhanging fifth game during which both women had several match points, the final score being 9-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-4, 23-21 to Nicola!
Non playing captain Alan Cooke commented: “I had told our players that it was our best chance to win a European match for a long time, and they were all focussed going into it, all taking responsibility. Even when Helen Lower lost her third game, I told her that she was playing so well that if she carried on attacking she would win. Katy Parker showed a lot of maturity – she had to mix it and she attacked at the right times. Nicola Deaton’s last match was unbelievable. She was at the end of her tether after 2 games but I told her, ‘you must just go for it – you owe it too yourself’. She played better after that and the last game was an absolute epic.”
Cooke also commented on the new up-to-11 scoring system. “There are more pressure points and the crowd enjoyed it. It is better to watch. I was at the Dutch Open in Rotterdam last week and that was also better to watch.”
Results: England beat Poland 3-1 (England names first):
Nicola Deaton lost to Iwona Kuszaj 11-13, 4-11, 11-3, 9-11
Helen Lower beat Monika Pietkiewicz 11-3, 11-3, 10-12, 11-3
Katy Parker beat Magdalena Gorowska 11-7, 9-11, 11-13, 11-3, 11-8
Nocola Deaton beat Monika Pietkiewicz 9-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-4, 23-21
Syed & Deaton top new England ranking lists
There are no major changes in the new national ranking lists, with Matthew Syed (Richmond, Surrey) holding on to his top spot in the men’s list, and Nicola Deaton (Chesterfield, Derbyshire) heading the women’s. However, Syed, who has been concentrating on playing in professional leagues in France and Japan, will soon need to produce some results in England or internationally to continue to be listed. And 11 times All African champion Bosede Kaffo (Nigeria) comes into the women’s list for the first time at no.4, as a result of representing the London Progress Club in the Women’s British League. Kaffo is currently studying at South Bank University.
Dutch Open - 28-11-01
The Polish miracle
Dutch Open, Rotterdam, 28 October 2001. Tomasz KRZEZEWSKI (POL) nr. 62 in the World did the impossible. He won the men’s singles at the Dutch Open beating the young German Timo BOLL (nr. 18) and on his way to the final he beat two other World top players, Kalinikos KREANGA (GRE) and Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR).
KRZEZEWSKI never hesitated. In the final against BOLL he was even improving his game punishing the young German for each and every mistake. BOLL was in there till 1-1 but then KRZEZEWSKI took over and BOLL was losing confidence. The Polish won 4-1 to take his first Pro Tour title.
“This week has been excellent for me. I have been playing very well, let’s hope it can continue”, says the Polish admitting that normally he has been on a lower level.
“I always had good services but in my game I made too many mistakes. This week has been different, let’s hope that this is only the beginning”.
Second title for Ryu
RYU Ji Hye (KOR) took the second Pro Tour title in two weeks, when she won the final in women’s singles. RYU also won the German Open last week and in the final in Rotterdam she once more showed that she has taken her game to a higher level.
Tamara BOROS (CRO) was not playing badly, RYU was just too strong. It looked like an easy walk in the park for RYU who went to 3-0. Then BOROS came back though. She went to 2-3 and she was also close to reaching 3-3. RYU though kept her head down and took the game and the title.
Champions women’s doubles: NIU Jianfeng/BAI Yang (CHN)
Champions men’s doubles: Timo BOLL/Zoltan FEJER-KONNERTH (GER)
Second title for Germans
Rotterdam, 27 October 2001. Timo BOLL/Zoltan FEJER-KONNERTH (GER) once more proved that on “the good days” they can beat anybody. At the Rutac Dutch Open they took the title in men’s doubles beating last weeks German Open Champions Aleksander Karakasevic/Slobodan Grujic (YUG) in the final.
The Germans took the first two games easily. Then the Yugoslavs went to 2-1. In the 4th and 5th game BOLL/FEJER-KONNERTH was back on top. They had big leads and though KARAKASEVIC/GRUJIC came back they never caught them. The Germans won 4-1 to take their second title this year – they won the English Open.
“Perhaps we started to get a little bit nervous in the last games with the title in sight. We know that if the Yugoslavs get their game going then they are dangerous”, says Timo BOLL. Between the two title wins the young Germans have lost out in the early rounds in some other Pro Tour events.
“It’s true – on our good days we can beat anybody, but we have this bad days as well where we can lose to anybody. This is something we have to work on. We have to get rid of the really bad days”, says Zoltan FEJER-KONNERTH.
In men’s singles the 1st seed Vladimir SAMSONOV missed out to the Polish Tomasz KRZEZEWSKI who is currently only nr. 62 in the World.
Matches on Sunday:
Men’s singles semi-finals:
Tomasz KRZEZEWSKI (POL) – ZHANG Chao (CHN)
SHAN Mingjie (CHN) – Timo BOLL (GER)
Women’s doubles final:
RYU Ji Hye/KIM Moo Kyo (KOR) – BAI Yang/NIU Jianfeng (CHN)
Women’s singles final:
RYU Ji Hye (KOR) – Tamara BOROS (CRO)
Men’s singles final:
To be decided
ENGLAND SQUADS COMPETING & TRAINING IN SCANDINAVIA
England’s Performance Director, Soren Ahlen, himself Swedish and acting as non-playing captain for the tour, has announced the following England selections to compete in the Swedish Open International Grand Prix on 21st-25th November and the Danish Open Pro Tour from 29th November to 2nd December, with training in Denmark in between the two championships:
Men: Gareth Herbert (Berkshire), Alex Perry* (Devon), Matthew Syed** (Surrey), Terry Young (Berkshire).
Women: Katy Parker* (Lancashire), Kate Steward* (Somerset).
*Alex Perry, who is studying at Nottingham University, and juniors Katy Parker and Kate Steward, who will be traveling from their Swedish National League clubs, will be playing in the Swedish Open Pro Tour only.
**Subject to confirmation, England and Commonwealth champion Matthew Syed will be playing in his first international championships since retaining his Commonwealth men’s singles title in New Delhi on 20th April. He will be wishing to gradually build up his form for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester from 25th July to 4th August 2002, his next (and possibly last) major table tennis ambition.
Gareth Herbert, the current England no.2 man, will also be making a return to international play after a recent wrist injury.
Terry Young Pro Tour Men’s Doubles Success
Although Terry Young and Alex Perry had gone out in their men’s singles groups (both winning and losing a set) in the recent German Open Pro Tour at Bayreuth, they had done well as a doubles pair in going through two rounds. And partnered by Robert Gardos (Austria), Maidenhead’s Terry Young did even better in the doubles at the Dutch Open Pro Tour currently being played at Rotterdam, reaching the last 16 after fine wins, 15-13, 13-11, 14-12 over Czech pair Josef Plachy and Bohumil Vozicky, and 11-8, 5-11, 11-4, 7-11, 14-12 over Germans Bastian Steger and Torben Wosik. The Anglo-Austrian pair eventually went down in 5 games, 11-8, 5-11, 11-13, 11-8, 4-11, to the top seeds, Lee Chul Seung and Ryu Seung Min of Korea.
England v Poland European League First Division Match, Scarborough, 31st October
Soren Ahlen has announced the following selections: Nicola Deaton (Derbyshire), Helen Lower (Staffordshire), Katy Parker (Lancashire), NPC Alan Cooke.
The Polish are putting out a young team, all students and semi-professional table tennis players: Monika Pietkiewicz, Magdalena Gorowska and Iwona Kuszaj. Although the Poles are all world ranked, on paper Deaton and Lower are stronger and England must be hopeful of a victory. The match starts at 7pm at Scarborough Table Tennis Centre, Graham School (Tel. 01723 376575).
Training in Sweden
The following England players will be training in Sweden next week:
Women/girls in Helsingborg, 29th October to 5th November: Helen Lower* (Staffordshire), Joanna Parker (Surrey), Georgina Walker (Nottinghamshire), Natalie Bawden (Essex), Louise Durrant (Nottinghamshire), coach Bradley Billington. *Flying out to Sweden 1st November.
Boys near Kalmar, with the Swedish squad, 28th October to 4th November: Bryn Drinkhall (Cleveland), Matt Kenny (Yorkshire), coach Denis Neale.
England Selections For Slovak Cadet (under 14) Open, Bratislava, 1st – 4th November
Soren Ahlen has announced the following England selections:
Boys: Paul Drinkhall (Cleveland), Adam Bleakley (Lancashire), Bradley Evans (Buckinghamshire), Tim Yarnall (Northamptonshire).
Girls: Lauren Springthorpe (Lincolnshire), Abigail Embling (Essex), Kelly Sibley (Warwickshire), Gemma Yarnley (Kent).
Non playing captains: Jai Yi Liu, Steen Hansen.
Father and German Champion
Bayreuth, Germany, 21 October 2001. Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) is currently holding two titles. Since the beginning of September he could call himself a father, now he can call himself German Open Champion as well – bringing home the winner’s prize of 15.000 US Dollars from Bayreuth.
SAMSONOV beat Werner SCHLAGER (AUT) in a one sided men’s singles final. The Austrian never had a chance. He lost 4-0 and only the 3rd game was close.
After getting married last year and having a beautiful son in September SAMSONOV is again focused on table tennis.
“I played well, I was in quite good shape today”, was the understatement of the day - SAMSONOV once again proved to belong in the very top of the World Ranking.
Ryu Ji Hye got her title
RYU Ji Hye (KOR) won the women’s singles. Finally she got the Pro Tour title that she was very close to taking already at the Korea Open in September when she lost in a thriller match against the World Champion WANG Nan (CHN). In Germany RYU beat Jie SCHÖPP (GER) 4-1 in the final. In spite of the loss Jie SCHOPP can look back on a good week. She quit the German national team and now she claims that she is only playing for fun. In Bayreuth she had lots of fun.
Finals:
Men’ singles: Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR)-Werner SCHLAGER (AUT) 11-6, 11-8, 12-10, 11-4 (4-0)
Women’s singles: RYU Ji Hye (KOR)-Jie SCHOPP (GER) 6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-1, 11-4 (4-1)
Men’s doubles: Lucjan BLASZCZYK/Tomasz KRZESZEWSKI (POL)/Aleksander KARAKASEVIC/Slobodan GRUJIC (YUG) 11-7, 11-6, 10-12, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9 (4-2)
Women’s doubles: KIM Bok Rae/KIM Kyung Ah (KOR)-Tamara BOROS (CRO)/ Mihaela STEFF (ROM) 12-10, 10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6 (4-2)
Next Pro Tour, Dutch Open, starts in Rotterdam on Wednesday, running 24th-28th October. For information and accreditation contact the following e-mails: sport@rutac.nl or pjensen@ittf.com
All European
German Open, Bayreuth, Germany, 20 October 2001. The semi finals in men’s singles at the ITTF Pro Tour German Open will be all European. The best Chinese did not enter German Open and all other Asians have been ousted by the best European players.
One of the semi finals will be another “re-match” between the two giants Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) and Jan-Ove WALDNER (SWE). SAMSONOV overcame the Korean OH Sang Eun and WALDNER proved too strong for the Timo BOLL (GER).
In the other semi final Werner SCHLAGER (AUT) meets Lucjan BLASZCZYK (POL).
The German home crowd still has a player to cheer for in women’s singles. Jie SCHOPP has stopped playing at the German national team and she seems to enjoy that the pressure is off her shoulder. SCHOPP reached the semi final by beating Laura NEGRISOLI (ITA).
The most delighted player of the day was undoubtedly Viktoria PAVLOVICH (BLR) who made it to the semi finals after a marathon match against KIM Kyung Ah (KOR). KIM and PAVLOVICH are both defensive but PAVLOVICH proved to be the most patient one of them.
The semi final as well will be a meeting between two defensive players, SCHOPP and PAVLOVICH.
In the other semi final the 2nd seeded Tamara BOROS is facing RYU Ji Hye (KOR)
Semi finals and finals will be played on Sunday.
For more information please go to www.ittfprotour.com
Finals, Ogimura Cup Japan Open in Kobe.
Men’s singles: CHIANG Peng-Lung-JOO Se Hyuk (KOR) 4-0
11-4, 11-3, 11-7, 11-6
Women’s singles: WANG Nan (CHN)-KIM Kyung Ah (KOR) 4-2
7-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-4
Men’s doubles: MA Lin/WANG Hao (CHN)-KIM Taek Soo/OH Sang Eun (KOR) 4-2, 11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9
Women’s doubles:KIM B. Rae/KIM K. Ah (KOR)-WANG N. (CHN)/T. BOROS (CRO) 4-0, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6
Koreans in four finals, Kobe, Japan, 24 September 2001.
The ITTF Pro Tour Japan Open was another Korean success after an excellent Korea Open last week. At the Japan Open Korea had players in all 4 finals.
One of them was surprisingly the defensive nr. 76 on the World Ranking JOO Se Hyuk (KOR) who met CHIANG Peng-Lung (TPE) in the men’s singles final. JOO reached the final taking out MA Lin (CHN), Werner SCHLAGER (AUT) and Christophe LEGOUT (FRA) but against CHIANG Peng-Lung he was simply run over. JOO only got 4, 3, 7 and 6 points and he was never any threat to CHIANG.
Though MA Lin of China missed out against JOO in the semi final in men’s singles he got his Japanese title – in men’s doubles together with the young WANG Hao.
The two Chinese in the final defeated the Korean pair KIM Taek Soo/OH Sang Eun.
WANG Nan (CHN) overcame the second Korean in a Pro Tour final in 10 days, when she defeated the defensive Korean KIM Kyung Ah 4-2. Last week WANG beat RYU Ji Hye (KOR) in the final at the SMK Korea Open in a thriller of a match. This week at Ogimura Cup Japan Open things were more relaxed against KIM. WANG was leading all the way and though KIM Kyung Ah won two games the Chinese World Champion was always in control.
The Korean title came in women’s doubles. KIM Kyung Ah/ KIM Bok Rae defeated the two World top players WANG Nan (CHN) and Tamara BOROS (CRO) who paired up only for this occasion.
One more defeat for Liu Guoliang, Kobe, Japan, 23 September 2001.
At the World Championships in Osaka earlier this year LIU Guoliang (CHN) lost to CHIANG Peng-Lung (TPE) in the quarter-finals. On Sunday at the Japan Open it seemed to be pay back time – but LIU Guoliang blew it. Leading with 3-4 points all the way in the 7th game in the quarter-finals LIU let CHIANG back into the match, and the Taipei Chinese took the opportunity and won 14-12 to advance to the semi final. Here he will meet compatriot and doubles partner CHANG Yuan-Su who surprisingly took out Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) winning 4-2.
The young German Bastian STEGER (nr. 114 on the World Ranking) had a great time in men’s singles at the Japan Open – now it’s over since he lost to the Korean defender JOO Se Hyuk. STEGER beat the Dane Finn TUGWELL (World Ranked 107), the French Damien ELOI (nr. 30) and compatriot Lars Hielscher (nr. 92) before surrendering to the Korean.
In the semi final JOO will meet the Chinese World Cup winner MA Lin who beat KIM Taek Soo (KOR) in his quarter-final.
In women’s singles it is hard to see how WANG Nan (CHN) should NOT win the title. In her semi final she will meet compatriot LIN Ling – the other semi final will be a Korean matter between KIM Moo Kyo and KIM Kyong Ah.
There were a lot of upsets at the Japan Open especially in men’s singles and men’s doubles. In men’s doubles there is only one pair left from the 4 best seeded pairs.
KIM Taek Soo/OH Sang Eun (KOR) beat Damien ELOI/Patrick CHILA (FRA) in the semi final and face Chinese pair MA Lin/WANG Hao who overcame the Danes Allan BENTSEN/Finn TUGWELL.
Women’s doubles final will probably never be seen again. World Champion WANG Nan (CHN) playing together with Croatian Tamara BOROS against the defensive Korean pair KIM Kyung Ah/KIM Bok Rae.
Europeans stumbling, Kobe, Japan, 22 September 2001.
First round in men’s singles was a disaster for the European top players. Peter KARLSSON lost, Damien ELOI (FRA) lost, Werner SCHLAGER (AUT) lost, Trinko KEEN (NED) lost and nr. 1 in the Pro Tour standings, Jean-Michel SAIVE (BEL), was steamrolled 4-0 by the young German Lars HIELSCHER.
“I like to play against SAIVE and today I simply played more than 100 percent”, says HIELSCHER who only in the 4th game let SAIVE come close.
“I know that if you just once let SAIVE into the match you’re in trouble – he never gives up. The first games though gave me confidence and luck was on my side in the 4th”, says HIELSCHER (nr. 92 in the World) who is now going to meet another German surprise Bastian STEGER (nr. 114) in the round of the last 16. STEGER took out Damien ELOI (FRA)
Today it really seemed like it was dangerous to be a seeded player. Also Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR), LIU Guoliang (CHN) and Patrick CHILA were in deep trouble – but they survived. Apparently the new system playing only to 11 in each game (instead of 21) gives the underdogs better possibilities.
An unusual pairing in women’s doubles seems to be a success. The World Champion WANG Nan’s playing partner LI Ju is ill, so WANG is playing with one of the best Europeans Tamara BOROS (CRO). The pair on Saturday reached the semi final by overcoming KIM Moo Kyo/PARK Kyung Ae (KOR) 3-0.
In men’s doubles Y KURASHIMA/K.TASEI (JPN) sensationally took out the top seeded pair CHIANG Peng-Lung/CHAN Yuan Su (TPE). The Japanese were down during the 5th game but they came back to win 11-9.
Ogimura Cup Japan Open will continue tomorrow. Finals will be played on Monday.
Kim got his title
Seoul, Korea, 18 September 2001. The Korean KIM Taek Soo has often been so close to triumph – on Tuesday he went all the way at the SMK Korea Open. KIM won the final in men’s singles beating his compatriot LEE Chul Seung.
Though KIM won 4-0, it wasn’t a cakewalk. LEE put pressure on him and had his chance, but LEE’s game wasn’t as brilliant as it was earlier in the tournament.
With the title KIM gets 15.000 US Dollars. LEE (nr. 42 on the World Ranking) had to settle with 7500 USD but he can look forward to making a big move on the ranking after beating KONG Linghui (nr. 3) and OH Sang Eun (nr. 21).
SMK Korea Open has been a tremendous success for Korean table tennis. In the men’s singles Korea had 5 players in the quarter-finals, in the women’s singles RYU Ji Hye made it to the final where she lost to WANG Nan (CHN). KIM Taek Soo also made it to the semi-final in men’s doubles together with OH Sang Eun and in the women’s doubles Korea had two pairs in the semi-finals.
Men’s doubles winners: KONG Linghui/LIU Guoliang (CHN)
Women’s doubles winners: LI Jia/GAO Xi (CHN)
SMK Korea Open was the first Pro Tour event where each game went only to 11 points (instead of 21). Apparently it disturbed the favourites. In the early rounds a lot of the top players lost to lower ranked players.
Playing only to 11 the tension is there all the time. The change in the counting system is the 2nd of 3 big changes in table tennis. The new bigger (and slower) ball came last October to create longer rallies and to make the game easier to follow for spectators.
Now the 11 point games make each and every point more important and on 1st September 2002 the service rule will be changed, so that the server may not be able hide the ball behind the body or the arm when the ball is struck (this makes it impossible for the receiver to see which kind of spin the server puts on the ball).
With those three changes table tennis is ready for the new century
INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS EUROPEAN MEN'S LEAGUE MATCH
ENGLAND V SPAIN
TUESDAY 9TH OCTOBER
NORTHBRIDGE LEISURE CENTRE, HALIFAX
Gareth Herbert (Berkshire), Alex Perry (Devon), Terry Young (Berkshire). NPC, Soren Ahlen.
MATCH STARTS AT 7.00PM - DOORS OPEN AT 6.00PM
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM NORTHBRIDGE LEISURE CENTRE
TEL 01422 341 527 OR ETTA 01424 722525.
ADULTS £5, CONCESSIONS £2.50
MARCO ESSOMBA SHOCK WINNER, CLARE PENGALLY MEMORIAL GP 1-10-01
Marco Essomba (Surrey), the 20 year old former Cameroon’s international currently studying at Middlesex University, was the surprise men’s singles winner of the Clare Pengally Memorial Butterfly Grand Prix Open at Torbay Leisure Centre, Paignton over the weekend. Essomba, a star of British League Champion Club London Progress, is always a dangerous player with his vicious serves and brand of whippy two-wing attack, and a year ago he unexpectedly won the Sussex Butterfly. Seeded 5 in the Clare Pengelly, he consecutively swept aside the 2nd seed Adam Robertson (Wales) 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 in the quarter-finals, Ritchie Venner, the Sussex no.1, 11-5, 11-8, 11-8 (semi-finals), and then in a slightly closer match 3rd seed Bradley Billington (Derbyshire), 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-8 in the final. After edging out the top seeds Herbert and Billington 7-11, 14-12, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9 in the first round, Essomba with his London Progress Club team mate Jason Sugrue (Middlesex) also went on to win the men’s doubles.
Billington, the 31 year old former international who has returned to competitive play after a period as full-time national coach (he still is a national coach part-time), caused the biggest upset in putting out the top seed Gareth Herbert (Berkshire), 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8. Herbert was attacking erratically against the more controlled Billington, and has run into poorer form (professing not to have adjusted to the new up to 11 scoring system) after several months of top performances. Another surprise in the men’s singles was when 15 year old Craig Bryant from Cullompton, Devon knocked out the 4th seed, Welsh international Stephen Jenkins 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6, before going down closely to Ritchie Venner 11-7, 12-14, 2-11, 9-11 in the quarter-finals. The youngster had a very successful weekend, winning the under 21 men’s singles and band 2 singles, and also reaching the final of the band 1 men’s singles where he went down closely to Abdul Wuraola (Surrey).
The 23 year old Czech player Marketa Myskova is relatively unknown in England, but that is rapidly changing. An au pair in Saltash, Cornwall, she is already signed up by Devon County. This weekend she won the Clare Pengelly women’s singles title. After Exeter’s Penny Perry in the quarter-finals, the left-handed Czech who defends and hits with ‘long pimples’ on her backhand, and topspin ‘loops’ with reversed rubber on her forehand, beat two Hungarians. In the semi-finals she put out the Hungarian visitor, Dorka Nagy, in straight games, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9, but Watford based Barbara Kiss, who reached the final via Naomi Wilson (Somerset), stretched her all the way before Myskova finished a 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9 winner. Professing now to play ‘for fun’, Marketa Myskova for 3 years played professionally in the German Bundesliga.
The losing women’s singles semi-finalists got some consolation, when Naomi Wilson took the under 21 women’s singles and Dorka Nagy partnered Wiltshire’s Michele Cohen to win the women’s doubles.
Results:
Men’s singles (from semi-finals): Bradley Billington (Derbyshire) bt Gareth Herbert (Berkshire) 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8.
Marco Essomba (Surrey) bt Ritchie Venner (Sussex) 11-5, 11-8, 11-8.
Final: Marco Essomba (Surrey) bt Bradley Billington (Derbyshire) 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-8.
Women’s singles (from semi-finals): Marketa Myskova (Czech Republic) bt Dorka Nagy (Hungary) 11-5, 11-9, 11-9.
Barbara Kiss (Herts) bt Naomi Wilson (Somerset) 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-2.
Final: Marketa Myskova (Czech Republic) bt Barbara Kiss (Herts) 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9.
Men’s doubles: Jason Sugrue (Middlesex)/Marco Essomba (Surrey) bt Adam Robertson/Stephen Jenkins (Wales) 11-5, 11-6, 11-9.
Women’s doubles: Dorka Nagy (Hungary)/Michele Cohen (Wiltshire) bt Barbara Kiss (Herts)/Lindsey Thornton (Lancs) 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9.
Men’s under 21 singles: Craig Bryant (Devon) bt Owen Griffiths (Wales) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8.
Women’s under 21 singles: Naomi Wilson (Somerset) bt Suzy Robinson (Gloucs) 8-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-5.
Veteran men’s singles: Chris Beckley (Surrey) bt Mike Short (Devon) 5-11, 11-3, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5.
Veteran women’s singles: Jenny Harrison (Essex) bt Penny Perry (Devon) 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 6-11, 13-11.
Men’s band 1 singles: Abdul Wuraola (Surrey) bt Craig Bryant (Devon) 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10.
Men’s band 2 singles: Craig Bryant (Devon) bt Neil Page (Wales) 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8.
Men’s band 3 singles: Shaun Marples (Derbys) bt Ian Packford (Oxon) 13-11, 1-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-2.
Men’s band 4 singles: William Power (Kent) bt Tom Williams (Devon) 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6.
Men’s band 5 singles: Neil Cartwright (Dorset) bt Mike Hugh (Devon) 8-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9.
Men’s band 6 singles: Mark Buckley (Kent) bt Daniel Mayhew (Devon) 8-11, 1-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5.
Women’s band 1 singles: Sarah Horsnell (Middlesex) bt Suzy Robinson (Gloucs) 11-13, 11-7, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7.
Women’s band 2 singles: Jenny Harrison (Essex) bt Naomi Wilson (Somerset) 11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10.
Women’s band 3 singles: Hannah Roberts (Lancs) bt Clara Howard (Lancs) 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.
Natalie Bawden and Dominic Hall win Essex Junior Open Jarvis Sports Grand Prix
Local girl Natalie Bawden (Wickford, Essex) won the junior girls’ singles of the Essex Junior 4* Open Jarvis Sports Grand Prix at Harlow Sports Centre over the weekend. In the final she hit through the defence of Joanne Parker (Surrey), but she had struggled to beat rising Warwickshire star Kelly Sibley 11-9, 5-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, after trailing 1 game to 2 and 1-5 in the fourth game.
Dominic Hall from East Malling, Kent took the junior boys’ singles, knocking out the top seed Greg Baker (Warwickshire) 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 in the semi-finals, and then coming back with brave topspin ‘loop’ attack from 2 games and a match point down to beat Daniel Horner (Cheshire) 7-11, 12-14, 13-11, 11-7, 11-8 in the final.
Results:
Junior boys’ singles: Dominic Hall (Kent) bt Daniel Horner (Cheshire) 7-11, 12-14, 13-11, 11-7, 11-8.
Junior girls’ singles: Natalie Bawden (Essex) bt Joanne Parker (Surrey) 11-7, 11-9, 11-9.
Syed & Deaton still England no.1s
Despite some media speculation to the contrary, Matthew Syed (Richmond, Surrey) retains his top men’s national ranking over Gareth Herbert (Slough, Berkshire) in the new list published today. Likewise, Nicola Deaton (Chesterfield, Derbyshire) tops the women’s list ahead of Helen Lower (Wolverhampton, Staffordshire).
DEATON AND ENGLAND TEAM TRIUMPH
BUT HERBERT LOSES HOME COUNTRIES CROWN, ISLE OF MAN
Despite lack of practice owing to starting her psychology degree course at Nottingham University, 24 year old Nicola Deaton (Chesterfield, Derbyshire) found the form to lift the women’s singles and help England retain the team event title at the Home Countries International, Isle of Man over the weekend. However, the competition brought two defeats for the England no.2 man, Gareth Herbert (Slough, Berkshire) and the loss of his men’s singles title – and will almost certainly deny him the no.1 position in the next national ranking list.
Deaton, the 4 times English national champion, had a fairly comfortable run in the women’s singles, dropping only one game – to German born Jenny Weiss (Wales) who she beat 11-6, 11-7, 11-13, 11-6 in the quarter-finals. She overcame Bethan Daunton (Wales), the title holder for the second time of the weekend, 11-8, 14-12, 11-6 in the semi-finals, and then swept aside her England colleague Helen Lower (Wolverhampton, Staffordshire) 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 in the final.
Lower, 31, had been very fortunate to win her semi-final against 16 Katy Parker (Preston, Lancashire), the England junior no.1 who seems to have improved since returning to train at the National Centre, Nottingham. Parker mixed her game to cause Lower all sorts of trouble, and had a match point at 11-10 in the fifth game. However, the umpire accepted an edge of the table return from Lower which almost no-one else saw, and Lower went on to win 10-12, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 13-11.
Earlier, Deaton, Lower and Parker had been instrumental in helping England (mixed team) retain the team event title, with 9-1 wins over their nearest rivals Scotland and Wales. However, there had been two shocks for England men in these matches, chiefly Gareth Herbert going down to the 17 year old Scottish no.2 and rising star, Gavin Rumgay, and Terry Young (Maidenhead, Berkshire) falling to the 17 year old Welsh no.2 Adam Robertson.
20 year old Herbert, the holder, was relatively untroubled in reaching the men’s singles final via Stewart Crawford (Scotland) 15-13, 11-6, 11-6, in the quarter-finals and Robertson, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9 in the semis. Unfortunately for him, his final opponent, 29 year old Scottish no.1 Euan Walker, who he had great difficulty overcoming in the Liverpool Butterfly Grand Prix final 4 weeks ago, was far too solid with aggressive forehand topspins on this occasion, and overwhelmed Herbert 11-7, 11-7, 12-10. Scotland have further reason to rejoice for Walker, (who has twice one the title before) who has been living in Farnborough, Hampshire, is to return (to Edinburgh) and will be able to train with their young star, Gavin Rumgay from Perth. His losses to Walker and Rumgay, and a loss a Slovakian youngster 2 weeks ago, will almost certainly have denied Herbert the England no.1 position, which he had hoped to take from Matthew Syed (Surrey) in the next England ranking list.
Another surprise in the men’s singles was the quarter-final loss, 11-13, 9-11, 8-11, by Terry Young, aged 22, the England no.5 to improving Andrew Rushton (Manchester, Lancashire), 18, the England no.10.
Results:
Team Event: 1st England (won 5, lost 0); 2nd Wales (4, l); 3rd Scotland (3, 2); 4th Ireland (2, 3); 5th Isle of Man (1, 4); 6th Guernsey (0, 5).
Men’s singles (from quarter-finals): Gareth Herbert (Eng) bt Stewart Crawford (Sco) 15-13, 11-6, 11-6. Adam Robertson (Wal) bt Gavin Rumgay (Sco) 11-8, 11-9, 13-11. Euan Walker (Sco) bt Stephen Jenkins (Wal) 13-11, 11-5, 12-10. Andrew Rushton (Eng) bt Terry Young (Eng) 13-11, 11-9, 11-8.
Semi-finals: Gareth Herbert (Eng) bt Adam Robertson (Wal) 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9. Euan Walker (Sco) bt Andrew Rushton (Eng) 11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 11-7.
Final: Euan Walker (Sco) bt Gareth Herbert (Eng) 11-7, 11-7, 12-10.
Women’s singles (from quarter-finals): Helen Lower (Eng) bt Linda Mountjoy (Ire) 11-6, 11-5, 11-7. Katy Parker (Eng) bt Brioni Lane (Ire) 10-12, 11-1, 11-5, 11-3. Bethan Daunton (Wal) bt Claire Bentley (Sco) 11-3, 11-9, 11-7. Nicola Deaton (Eng) bt Jenny Weiss (Wal) 11-6, 11-7, 11-13, 11-6.
Semi-finals: Helen Lower (Eng) bt Katy Parker (Eng) 10-12, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 13-11. Nicola Deaton (Eng) bt Bethan Daunton (Wal) 11-8, 14-12, 11-6.
Final: Nicola Deaton (Eng) bt Helen Lower (Eng) 11-8, 11-6, 11-4.
HERBERT & A CZECH TOP SEEDS, CLARE PENGELLY GP, PAIGNTON
England international Gareth Herbert (Slough, Berkshire), who closely won the men’s singles events at the Liverpool Butterfly Grand Prix in August, and Marketa Myskova from the Czech Republic, are the respective men’s and women’s singles top seeds at the Clare Pengelly Memorial Butterfly Grand Prix Open at Torbay Leisure Centre, Paignton on 29th/30th September. A major portion of the proceeds of the tournament will be given by the The Clare Pengelly Trust to Children’s Hospice South West.
20 year old Herbert, the Home Countries International Champion who defends that title in the Isle of Man this weekend, has shot up the world rankings and to no.2 in England, following some great victories at the Commonwealth Championships (where he was a singles bronze medallist) and the World Championships in April and May. He is one of the best servers in the world, but also has speed, touch, and an excellent forehand topspin. 17 year old Adam Robertson (Wales), was a 2000 European Youth singles silver medallist and 2001 mixed doubles bronze medallist, and is seeded 2nd at the Clare Pengelly GP. Robertson is particularly noted for his fierce backhand topspin ‘loop’ and fighting temperament.
The men’s 3rd seed is former England international Bradley Billington (Chesterfield, Derbyshire), 31, who with his fluent two-wing attacking game is making a successful return to the competitive game after a period working full-time as an England national coach. 19 year old Welsh no.3 Stephen Jenkins, seeded 4, is a hard grafting, all-round attacking player. The 5th seed, 20 year old former Cameroon’s international Marco Essomba (Surrey), who is a leading player for British League champion club, London Progress, caused a sensation last season when he vanquished former national champion Alan Cooke to win the Sussex Butterfly GP with his powerful two-wing attack. A Hungarian visitor with big topspins, Gergely Urban is seeded 6th, Essomba’s London Progress colleague Jason Sugrue (Middlesex) is 7 and the Sussex no.1 for many years Ritchie Venner is 8th seed.
The women’s singles has a strong Eastern European flavour. The top seed Marketa Myskova is unknown to these shores, but the Czech Republic has a long tradition of producing very fit and athletic players. Watford (Hertfordshire) based Hungarian, Barbara Kiss, just 25, who plays the continental game of spin serve and third ball topspin attack, has beaten some of the best in England – she won the Midlands Butterfly Grand Prix last season – and is seeded 2nd. Another Hungarian Dorka Kurucz is the third seed, while fast left-handed former England junior international Lindsey Thornton (Bury, Lancashire), aged 20, is the 4th seed.
The South West is represented in Michele Cohen (Wiltshire) seeded 5th, Penny Perry (Exeter, Devon) seeded 6th and Judy Morley (Gloucestershire) seeded 8th. Rebecca Fisher (Middlesex) is the 7th seed.
Play starts at 8-45am on the Saturday (29th September) when the men’s and women’s banded singles will take place, while on the Sunday, the open singles, veterans singles under 21 singles, and doubles events will be run.
This time Kong couldn’t escape
Seoul, Korea, 17 September 2001. It has happened so many times before: The Chinese are in deep trouble, but they survive. This time though the Olympic Champion KONG Linghui (CHN) did not escape the trap that LEE Chul Seung (KOR) set for him. LEE took out the top seeded Chinese winning 4-3.
It looked like the same old story. LEE played brilliantly and had match points in the 5th game and again in the 6th but couldn’t take the last point. Images of KIM Taek Soo having 7 match points against LIU Guozheng (CHN) without being able to win in the semi final at the World Championships probably started passing by inside LEE’s head. KONG took the lead 5-1 in the decisive game but suddenly LEE recovered and the Korean miracle happened. LEE won 10 points in a row to take the victory.
“Of course I was thinking of all those occasions where we have been leading – and losing against the Chinese. I tried not to look more than one game ahead but yes, it was difficult to get the last point”, said LEE who later on Monday in the quarter-final overcame his compatriot OH Sang Eun to reach the semi final where he will meet the 19 years old Chinese hope ZHAN Jian.
Also the Korean ace KIM Taek Soo reached the semi final. KIM beat Trinko KEEN (NED) 13-11 in the 7th and decisive game and faces tomorrow LIU Guoliang (CHN).
In women’s singles the semi finals will be WANG Nan (CHN) vs LI Jia (CHN) and RYU Ji Hye (KOR) vs An KONISHI (JPN).
The last Europeans left the MSK Korea Open when Werner SCHLAGER (AUT)/Trinko KEEN (NED) lost the semi final in men’s doubles to KONG Linghui/LIU Guoliang (CHN). The Chinese face in the final CHEUNG Yuk/LEUNG CHU Yan (HKG)
The women’s double is going to be a Chinese matter – between WANG Nan/LI Ju and LI Jia/GAO Xi.
Short Korea Open for favourites
Seoul, Korea, 16 September 2001. The favourites were stumbling one after the other in men's singles at the SMK Korea Open. The best Europeans - all top 20 players - lost, and also the World Cup holder MA Lin (CHN) left the tournament already after his first match.
Maybe it is the change of rules, now playing only to 11 instead of 21 in each game that is disturbing the top players. The Annual General Meeting of the International Table Tennis Federation voted for the rule change in May. At the Pro Tour events the singles are played best of 7 games (a win is 4-3, 4-2, 4-1 or 4-0). The underdogs apparently see opportunities that they did not see before, and the pressure is constantly there - if you relax, you're in trouble.
MA Lin met the young Korean left hander KIM Gun Hwan and the Korean played the match of his life. The match went to 3-3 but the 7th decisive game wasn't even close. Cheered forward by the Korean crowd KIM took the game and the match 11-6.
Austrian Werner SCHLAGER (nr. 8 in the World), French Christophe LEGOUT (nr. 20) and Greek Kalinikos KREANGA (nr. 16) also were hurt when they "hit the 11 points wall".
SCHLAGER lost to LEUN Chuyan (HKG), LEGOUT couldn't find his rhythm against the 19 years old Chinese ZHAN Jian, and KREANGA also lost to an upcoming Chinese, ZHANG Chao.
Other top players lost. Toshio TASAKI (JPN) couldn't overcome Martin MONRAD (DEN) and CHEUNG Yuk (HKG) was steamrolled 4-0 by the young Dane Michael MAZE.
The MSK Korea Open continues on Monday - the finals will be played on Tuesday.
North Korean into top ten
Lausanne, 3 September 2001.
She started this year as number 45 on the women's World Ranking - now KIM Hyon Hui (PRK) is in the top 10 in the World.
The North Korean - now nr. 9 in the World - has been constantly improving all year and at the Dongtai Women's World Cup in China in August she took the last step into the World top by reaching the World Cup final.
On her way KIM Hyon Hui beat top class players like LI Ju (CHN), CHEN Jing (TPE), Tamara Boros (CRO) and NI Xia Lin (LUX) before she lost to ZHANG Yining (CHN) in the final.
KIM Hyon Hui's climb on the World Ranking started already in February when she reached the final at the English Open and just one month later she took her first Pro Tour title winning the Qatar Open in Doha.
Mihaela STEFF (ROM) was also rewarded for her good results at the World Cup where she took the 3rd place. STEFF went from nr. 5 to nr. 4 on the World ranking - now the Romanian is the strongest challenge to the 3 top Chinese, WANG Nan, ZHANG Yining and LI Ju.
On the men's World Ranking nothing changed this month because there were no major international events.
The World Champion WANG Liqin (CHN) is still nr. 1 followed by his compatriots LIU Guozheng and KONG Linghui.
WEAKENED ENGLAND MEN LOSE EUROPEAN MATCH TO SLOVAKIA 13-09-01
An England men’s team weakened by the unavailability of Matthew Syed (returning from Japan), Alex Perry (family concerns) and Andrew Baggaley (injured) suffered a 3-0 European League away loss to Slovakia at Nitra, last night.
Terry Young (Berkshire) not unexpectedly fell to the higher world ranked Jaromir Truska, but he made it a close fight with 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11 scores. The shock was when Gareth Herbert (Berkshire), who has been on top form in recent months, went down over 5 games, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, to the relatively unknown Lubomir Pistej, but the Slovakian youngster is a recent European Youth mixed doubles gold medallist and team silver medallist. Andrew Rushton (Lancashire) did well to provide strong opposition to Peter Sereda before losing 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 9-11 in his European league debut.
At full strength England would have expected to beat Slovakia so the result is a little disappointing, but they will have another opportunity to meet the Slovaks at home.
Result: Slovakia beat England 3-0 (Slovakian names first):
Jamomir Truksa bt Terry Young 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8.
Lubomir Pistej bt Gareth Herbert 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8
Peter Sereda bt Andrew Rushton 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9