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TTC Wiener Neustadt enjoys the glory in the Austrian Bundesliga
Already before the final, it was clear that there will be a new champion in the Austrian Bundesliga. During the regular season, TTC Wiener Neustadt had a better success in the head-to-head games, winning 4-0 and having a 3-3 draw. The final proved to be a continuation of this successful performances against UTTC Salzburg.
The final match started began with a 3-1 win of Salzburg’s 21-year old Japanese Koyo Kanamitsu over the German Felix Wetzel. Japanese overall looked like the only chance for Salzburg to hope for a win in this match up. In the following games, he got another 3-1 win – this time against the experienced Czech Tomas KoneÄny. However, these were the only moments when Salzburg players could cheer.
All the other games proved to be a success for Wiener Neustadt and it was a great compensation for the recent nerve-wracking 1/4 finals loss in the 2020/21 ETTU Cup, where Austrian club loss to the Italian Top Spin Messina 0-3. However, all three games ended with a five set battle. Austrians were just a step away from the medals. Nevertheless, Tomas KoneÄny, Andy Pereira and Felix Wetzel earned the first Bundesliga title for Wiener Neustadt. A moment to remember for the club that was playing in the Austrian 2.Bundesliga four seasons ago.
2020/21 AUSTRIAN BUNDESLIGA FINAL
4 –
TTC Wiener Neustadt 
2 – UTTC Salzburg 
Felix Wetzel – 
Koyo Kanamitsu 1-3
Tomas KoneÄny – 
Francisco Sanchi 3-0
Andy Pereira – Carlo Rossi 3-0 Tomas KoneÄny/Andy Pereira – Koyo Kanamitsu/Carlo Rossi 3-2 Tomas KoneÄny – Koyo Kanamitsu 1-3 Felix Wetzel – Francisco Sanchi 3-1Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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Ĺ˝eimys – the absolute champion of 2021 Lithuanian Table Tennis Championships
From 7-9 May, 2021, the championship was held in the town of Rietavas. On the way to the final, the eventual champion Kestutis Ĺ˝eimys in the 1/4 finals overcame the number one seed of the tournament Alfredas Udra, who is a 5-time Lithuanian champion, and twice has been the absolute champion. His opponent in the finals, 29-year old Matas Vilkas (Nr. 2 seed of the tournament) won Rimas Lesiv in the 1/4 finals and Agnius KaÄerauskas in the semi-finals. In the final, Ĺ˝eimys got a comfortable 4-1 win and secured the second Lithuanian singles title in his career, previously winning it in 2010.
The experienced Lithuanian, who plays for the German club TTSF Hohberg also enjoyed a great success in the doubles and mixed doubles events. In doubles, together with Ignas Navickas, they won the gold medal in a tough 3-2 match up against Matas Vilkas & Matas SkuÄas. Journey towards the gold medal in the mixed doubles event was less nerve-wracking and Ĺ˝eimys together with Vitalija Venckute got a 3-0 win in the final game against Valdas Martinkus and Lina Martinke.
2021 LITHUANIAN NTTC MEDALISTS & RESULTSSINGLES
Kestutis Žeimys Matas Vilkas
Agnius KaÄerauskas Valdas Martinkus
DOUBLES Kestutis Ĺ˝eimys/Ignas Navickas Matas Vilkas/Matas SkuÄas Valdas Martinkus/Paulius GĹŤra Arnoldas Domeika/Tonetas Domeika
MIXED DOUBLES Kestutis Ĺ˝eimys/Vitalija Venckute Valdas Martinkus/Lina Martinke Matas Vilkas/Kornelija RiliĹĄkyte Ignas Navickas/Laura AbaraviÄiĹŤteDonât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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Moment of glory for Zhou Qihao at the Chinese WTT Trials
Group stage brought some surprises and play-off stage of Chinese WTT Trials did not disappoint as well. 24-year old Zhou Qihao enjoyed a great form in this tournament and on his way to the title won three TOP 10 players in the World.
In 1/4 finals, he got a 4-2 win against Liang Jingkun. In the semi-finals, Qihao had even tougher opponent to overcome – current World Champion Ma Long. Game was very intense and everything was decided in the final, seventh set. Ma Long had a comfortable 8-4 lead and it seemed that the outcome is already decided, but then the comeback started. Zhou Qihao won seven points in a row and got a 4-3 win over The Dragon.
His opponent in the final, Fan Zhendong had to overcome young sensation Lin Shidong, who is also nicknamed the “Little Fan Zhendong” in the 1/4 finals, and Wang Chuqin in the semi-finals.
The final game was close and Fan Zhendong had a 2-1 lead. However, Qihao made another comeback. Less impressive than against Ma Long, but more valuable in terms of the importance. 4-2 and he took the trophy of this tournament. It might be not the most important tournament, but it shows that the competition in the China national team is really intense. This win might give some extra opportunities for Zhou Qihao on the international stage in the nearest future.
CHINESE WTT TRIALS PLAY-OFFS
1/4 FINALS
Fan Zhendong 
4-2 vs. Lin Shidong (11-13, 11-5, 11-9, 4-11, 11-5, 11-6) Wang Chuqin
4-1 vs. Xu Chenhao (11-6, 12-14, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6) Zhou Qihao
4-2 vs. Liang Jungkun (11-5, 11-6, 11-6, 4-11, 9-11, 11-4) Ma Long
4-1 vs. Fang Bo (11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7)1/2 FINALS
Fan Zhendong
4-2 vs. Wang Chuqin (11-7, 11-6, 5-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8) Zhou Qihao
4-3 vs. Ma Long (11-5, 13-11, 9-11, 8-11, 14-12, 4-11, 11-8)BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
Ma Long
3-1 vs. Wang Chuqin (11-1, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9)FINAL
Zhou Qihao
4-2 vs. Fan Zhendong (11-4, 8-11, 3-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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Chinese WTT Trials brought surprising results
The biggest surprise of this tournament so far has been the 3-2 win of the 16-year old Lin Shidong over the current World Ranking vice-leader Xu Xin. Talented Shidong, who is nicknamed as the Little Fan Zhendong, managed to advance to the play-off stage, where he, ironically, had to meet Fan Zhendong.
In other groups, Liu Dingshuo got a 3-2 win over Wang Chuqin. However, this loss did not mess up the situation for Chuqin, who eventually advanced to the 1/4 finals. Fang Bo lost to the 19-year old Sun Zheng, but in the decisive match he won Lin Gaoyuan to secure a place in the next round.
CHINESE WTT TRIALS
GROUP A
# Player 1 2 3 4 Points Place 1 Fan Zhendong3-0 3-0 3-0 6 1 2 Ma Te0-3 3-0 1-3 4 3 3 Quan Kaiyuan0-3 0-3 0-3 3 4 4 Zheng Peifeng0-3 3-1 3-0 5 2 GROUP A GAMES
Fan Zhendong – Quan Kaiyuan 3-0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-6) Ma Te – Zheng Peifeng 1-3 (11-8, 4-11, 5-11, 6-11) Fan Zhendong – Zheng Peifeng 3-0 (11-3, 15-13, 11-4) Ma Te – Quan Kaiyuan 3-0 (12-10, 11-6, 11-5) Fan Zhendong – Ma Te 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-6) Quan Kaiyuan – Zheng Peifeng 0-3 (6-11, 7-11, 8-11)GROUP B
# Player 1 2 3 4 Points Place 1 Xu Xin3-1 3-2 2-3 5 2 2 Yan An1-3 3-1 0-3 4 3 3 Niu Guankai2-3 1-3 3-1 4 4 4 Lin Shidong3-2 3-0 1-3 5 1 GROUP B GAMES
Xu Xin – Niu Guankai 3-2 (11-8, 11-6, 10-12, 9-11, 11-6) Yan An – Lin Shidong 0-3 (11-3, 11-3, 13-11) Xu Xin – Lin Shidong 2-3 (11-8, 11-13, 10-12, 11-6, 9-11) Yan An – Niu Guankai 3-1 (11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 13-11) Xu Xin – Yan An 3-1 (11-1, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8) Niu Guankai – Lin Shidong 3-1 (6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6)GROUP C
# Player 1 2 3 4 5 Points Place 1 Ma Long3-2 3-0 3-1 3-0 8 1 2 Zhou Yu2-3 3-1 3-0 3-1 7 2 3 Xiang Peng0-3 1-3 3-2 3-1 6 3 4 Xue Fei1-3 0-3 2-3 3-0 5 4 5 Hou Yingchao0-3 1-3 1-3 0-3 4 5 GROUP C GAMES
Zhou Yu – Hou Yingchao 3-1 (5-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8) Xiang Peng – Xue Fei 3-2 (11-5, 13-15, 11-7, 16-18, 12-10) Ma Long – Hou Yingchao 3-0 (11-3, 11-2, 11-4) Zhou Yu – Xiang Peng 3-1 (11-5, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6) Ma Long – Xue Fei 3-1 (13-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-4) Xiang Peng – Hou Yingchao 3-1 (13-15, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7) Ma Long – Xiang Peng 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-5) Zhou Yu – Xue Fei 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-8) Ma Long – Zhou Yu 3-2 (7-11, 8-11, 16-14, 11-7, 11-4) Xue Fei – Hou Yingchao 3-0 (11-6, 12-10, 11-7)GROUP D
# Player 1 2 3 4 5 Points Place 1 Lin Gaoyuan0-3 3-1 3-0 3-0 7 2 2 Fang Bo3-0 3-2 3-0 2-3 7 1 3 Xu Haidong1-3 2-3 3-2 3-1 6 3 4 Wang Bo0-3 0-3 2-3 3-0 5 4 5 Sun Zheng0-3 3-2 1-3 0-3 5 5 GROUP D GAMES
Fang Bo – Sun Zheng 2-3 (5-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6, 8-11) Xu Haidong – Wang Bo 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 12-10, 13-11) Lin Gaoyuan – Sun Zheng 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-6) Fang Bo – Xu Haidong 3-2 (8-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-5) Lin Gaoyuan – Wang Bo 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-5) Xu Haidong – Sun Zheng 3-1 (11-3, 10-12, 11-6, 11-7) Lin Gaoyuan – Xu Haidong 3-1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6) Fang Bo – Wang Bo 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-8) Lin Gaoyuan – Fang Bo 0-3 (6-11, 12-14, 9-11) Wang Bo – Sun Zheng 3-0 (11-7, 11-5, 11-9)GROUP E
# Player 1 2 3 4 Points Place 1 Liang Jingkun3-2 3-1 3-0 6 1 2 Yuan Licen2-3 2-3 3-1 4 3 3 Xu Yingbin1-3 3-2 3-1 5 2 4 Zeng Beixun0-3 1-3 1-3 3 4 GROUP E GAMES
Liang Jingkun – Xu Yingbin 3-1 (11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 12-10) Yuan Licen – Zeng Beixun 3-1 (4-11, 11-7, 11-6, 12-10) Liang Jingkun – Zeng Beixun 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-6) Yuan Licen – Xu Yingbin 2-3 (11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 11-8, 4-11) Liang Jingkun – Yuan Licen 3-2 (9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9) Xu Yingbin – Zeng Beixun 3-1 (12-10, 4-11, 11-6, 11-9)GROUP F
# Player 1 2 3 4 Points Place 1 Wang Chuqin2-3 3-0 3-0 5 1 2 Liu Dingshuo3-2 3-1 1-3 5 2 3 Sai Linwei0-3 1-3 1-3 3 4 4 Zhou Kai0-3 3-1 3-1 5 3 GROUP F GAMES
Wang Chuqin – Sai Linwei 3-0 (11-3, 13-11, 11-7) Liu Dingshuo – Zhou Kai 1-3 (11-9, 5-11, 6-11, 5-11) Wang Chuqin – Zhou Kai 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-7) Liu Dingshuo – Sai Linwei 3-1 (4-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-8) Wang Chuqin – Liu Dingshuo 2-3 (5-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 8-11) Sai Linwei – Zhou Kai 1-3 (11-9, 1-11, 11-13, 10-12)GROUP G
# Player 1 2 3 4 5 Points Place 1 Xu Chenhao3-1 3-1 3-1 3-0 8 1 2 Liang Yanning1-3 3-0 3-2 3-0 7 2 3 Wang Linkun1-3 0-3 1-3 1-3 4 5 4 Yan Sheng1-3 2-3 3-1 2-3 5 4 5 Huang Youzheng0-3 0-3 3-1 3-2 6 3 GROUP G GAMES
Liang Yanning – Huang Youzheng 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-7) Wang Linkun – Yan Sheng 1-3 (11-13, 7-11, 11-9, 10-12) Xu Chenhao – Huang Youzheng 3-0 (11-8, 14-12, 11-9) Liang Yanning – Wang Linkun 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 13-11) Xu Chenhao – Yan Sheng 3-1 (11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7) Wang Linkun – Huang Youzheng 1-3 (7-11, 11-7, 7-11, 5-11) Xu Chenhao – Wang Linkun 3-1 (10-12, 15-13, 11-9, 11-6) Liang Yanning – Yan Sheng 3-2 (11-8, 12-14, 10-12, 11-7, 14-12) Xu Chenhao – Liang Yanning 3-1 (11-9, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9) Yan Sheng – Huang Youzheng 2-3 (6-11, 11-3, 11-8, 6-11, 8-11)GROUP H
# Player 1 2 3 4 5 Points Place 1 Zhou Qihao3-1 3-2 3-0 3-0 8 1 2 Sun Wen1-3 3-1 2-3 3-1 6 3 3 Yu Ziyang2-3 1-3 3-2 2-3 5 5 4 Zhang Yudong0-3 3-2 2-3 3-1 6 2 5 Chen Yuanyu0-3 1-3 3-2 1-3 5 4 GROUP H GAMES
Sun Wen – Chen Yuanyu 3-1 (7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7) Yu Ziyang – Zhang Yudong 3-2 (5-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6) Zhou Qihao – Chen Yuanyu 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-5) Sun Wen – Yu Ziyang 3-1 (12-10, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8) Zhou Qihao – Zhang Yudong 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-9) Yu Ziyang – Chen Yuanyu 2-3 (9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 10-12) Zhou Qihao – Yu Ziyang 3-2 (9-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-13, 11-6) Sun Wen – Zhang Yudong 2-3 (11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 10-12, 9-11) Zhou Qihao – Sun Wen 3-1 (11-9, 5-11, 12-10, 11-4) Zhang Yudong – Chen Yuanyu 3-1 (11-9, 11-5, 6-11, 12-10)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
Chen Yuanyu, Chinese WTT Trials, Fan Zhendong, Fang Bo, Hou Yingchao, Huang Youzheng, Liang Jingkun, Liang Yanning, Lin Gaoyuan, Lin Shidong, Ling Dingshuo, Ma Long, Ma Te, Niu Guankai, Quan Kaiyuan, Sun Wen, Sun Zheng, Wang Chuqin, Wang Linkun, Xiang Peng, Xu Chenhao, Xu Haidong, Xu Xin, Xu Yingbin, Xue Fei, Yan An, Yan Sheng, Yu Ziyang, Yuan Licen, Zeng Beixun, Zhang Yudong, Zheng Peifeng, Zhou Qihao, Zhou Yu -
Wiener Neustadt & Salzburg will meet in the Austrian Bundesliga 2021 Finals
There will be a new champion in the Austrian Bundesliga. The UTTC Stockerau team that won the previous two Austrian titles was knocked out in the semi-finals stage by the TTC Wiener Neustadt, led by the 35-year old Czech player Tomas KoneÄny. The experienced Czech has won 4 out of 4 games in the play-off stage and his team will join the Austrian Bundesliga finals. This is a great run for a team that was playing in the 2.Bundesliga just four seasons ago.
Wiener Neustadt will be joined by the UTTC Salzburg club that was knocked out in the 1/4 finals in the previous season. They overcame the SPG Walter Wels team that had players, like Andreas Levenko and Adam Szudi in their squad. However, the overall team performance of the Salzburg club was more consistent and the first game already gave a great confidence boost with a confident 4-1 win. Second meeting started with a Walter Wels 2-0 advantage, but Salzburg players managed to turn the situation around and get a 3-3 draw that secured their place in the final.
The final game between the TTC Wiener Neustadt and UTTC Salzburg will be played on 20 May. Both teams look sharp and it is hard to predict, which one will take the Austrian crown. During the regular season, Wiener Neustadt had a better performance in the head-to-head games, winning 4-0 and having a 3-3 draw. However, final is something different and the level of pressure can play good & bad effect for the both sides.
AUSTRIAN BUNDESLIGA SEMI-FINALS
1 – 3 –
SPG Walter Wels
4 – 3 – UTTC Salzburg
Game 1 Koyo Kanamitsu – 
Frane Kojic 3-1 (11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8)
Francisco Sanchi – Andreas Levenko 0-3 (11-2, 11-6, 13-11) Carlo Rossi – 
Adam Szudi 3-0 (9-11, 3-11, 6-11) Koyo Kanamitsu/Carlo Rossi – Frane Kojic/Adam Szudi 3-1 (11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 13-11)
Game 2 Francisco Sanchi – Andreas Levenko 0-3 Koyo Kanamitsu – Frane Kojic 1-3 Carlo Rossi – Adam Szudi 3-0 Koyo Kanamitsu/Carlo Rossi – Frane Kojic/Adam Szudi 0-3 Koyo Kanamitsu – Andreas Levenko 3-1 Francisco Sanchi – Frane Kojic 3-02 – 1 –
UTTC Stockerau
4 – 4 – TTC Wiener Neustadt
Game 1 Maciej Kolodziejczyk – Andy Pereira 3-1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6) Alexander Chen – Tomas KoneÄny 0-3 (10-12, 8-11, 2-11)
Oleksandr Didukh – Felix Wetzel 3-1 (11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8) Maciej Kolodziejczyk/Oleksandr Didukh – Tomas KoneÄny/Felix Wetzel 2-3 (11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 2-11, 7-11) Maciej Kolodziejczyk – Tomas KoneÄny 1-3 (7-11, 6-11, 11-9, 4-11) Alexander Chen – Andy Pereira 2-3 (11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 10-12, 8-11)
Game 2 Oleksandr Didukh – Tomas KoneÄny 2-3 (12-10, 2-11, 11-6, 9-11, 7-11) Alexander Chen – Andy Pereira 0-3 (11-13, 9-11, 8-11) Maciej Kolodziejczyk – Felix Wetzel 3-1 (6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-9) Maciej Kolodziejczyk/Oleksandr Didukh – Tomas KoneÄny/Felix Wetzel 1-3 (11-7, 7-11, 10-12, 3-11) Alexander Chen – Tomas KoneÄny 0-3 (8-11, 5-11, 10-12)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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Olympic veterans and debutants earn their tickets to Tokyo
Tournament in Guimaraes turned out to be a very intense one. Stakes were high and there were plenty of surprises. Spanish veteran Jesus Cantero won the Ovidiu Ionescu 4-1 in the group stage. Polish talent Samuel Kulczycky got a 4-0 win against Lubomir Pistej, who is 300 places above the young player in the World Rankings. 20-year old Vladislav Ursu from Moldova won the experienced Belarussian Pavel Platonov 4-3.
Among the players, who earned their tickets to Tokyo, the most experienced one is the 41-year old Greek defender Panagiotis Gionis. Olympic Games in Tokyo will be the fifth for the Greek legend. For 34-year old Kou Lei from Ukraine it will be the third Olympic experience in his career. Previously, he played in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Romanian Ovidiu Ionescu, who had a 7-game long journey in this qualifying tournament, will play in his second Olympics.
For other players, this was a chance to live through a historic moments in their journey. For the 30-year old Alvaro Robles and 28-year old Pavel Ĺ iruÄek Tokyo Olympics will be the first in their careers. Robles has enjoyed the success in the World Championships, but the Olympic dream was never reached before. In the decisive game, Spaniard won the Russian hope Vladimir Sidorenko 4-3. SiruÄek was the one, who took the final, 5th ticket to Tokyo, earning it with a 4-2 win over Paul Drinkhall in the decisive match.
QUALIFIED PLAYERS & THEIR PATH TO TOKYO
Alvaro Robles
3-4 vs.
Aleksandr Khanin (11-3, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 7-11, 6-11, 9-11)
4-0 vs.
Ioannis Sgouroupoulos (15-13, 11-6, 13-11, 11-4)
4-0 vs.
Olegs Kartuzovs (11-5, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3)
4-1 vs. Yevhen Pryshchepa (11-7, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-7)
4-3 vs. Panagiotis Gionis (2-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6)
4-1 vs.
Paul Drinkhall (11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5)
4-3 vs.
Vladimir Sidorenko (9-11, 12-10, 14-12, 8-11, 9-11, 11-3, 17-15) Kou Lei
4-0 vs.
Cedric Nuytinck (14-12, 11-8, 11-8, 14-12)
4-0 vs.
Samuel Kulczycki (11-9, 11-5, 11-5, 15-13)
4-2 vs.
Rares Sipos (11-9, 11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 5-11, 11-6) Panagiotis Gionis
3-4 vs. Alvaro Robles (11-2, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 10-12, 6-11)
4-3 vs.
Lubomir Pistej (9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-3, 11-13, 11-4)
4-0 vs. Rares Sipos (11-6, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5)
4-1 vs. Pavel Ĺ iruÄek (6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7) Ovidiu Ionescu
1-4 vs. Jesus Cantero (7-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9, 11-5)
3-4 vs. Mihai Bobocica (11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 6-11)
4-0 vs.
Tal Israeli (11-9, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8)
3-4 vs. Lubomir Pistej (8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-4, 6-11, 8-11, 8-11)
4-1 vs. Vladimir Sidorenko (11-8, 13-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-7)
4-3 vs. Daniel Habesohn (3-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 11-1, 11-7)
4-1 vs. Paul Drinkhall (11-3, 11-6, 11-5, 10-12, 11-8) Pavel Ĺ iruÄek
4-1 vs.
Eric Glod (15-13, 11-5, 11-6, 6-11, 12-10)
1-4 vs. Vladimir Sidorenko (11-6, 9-11, 6-11, 3-11, 9-11)
4-1 vs. Cedric Nuytinck (11-7, 11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7)
4-2 vs. Mihai Bobocica (11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 11-5, 12-10)
1-4 vs. Panagiotis Gionis (11-6, 10-12, 8-11, 4-11, 7-11)
4-2 vs. Paul Drinkhall (11-3, 11-3, 6-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
Aleksandr Khanin, Alvaro Robles, Cedric Nuytinck, Daniel Habesohn, Eric Glod, Ioannis Sgouropoulos, Jesus Cantero, Kou Lei, Lubomir Pistej, Mihai Bobocica, Olegs Kartuzovs, Ovidiu Ionescu, Panagiotis Gionis, Paul Drinkhall, Pavel Ĺ iruÄek, Rares Sipos, Samuel Kulczycki, Tal Israeli, Vladimir Sidorenko, Yevhen Pryshchepa -
Skachkov takes the crown at the 2021 Russian National Table Tennis Championships
This year’s championship brought some exciting games and surprising results. Three of four semi-finalists reached this stage for the first time in their careers. Only the eventual champion Kirill Skachkov had such experience before.
19-year old Maksim Grebnev made it to the finals for the first time. However, he already had successful finals experience in the doubles event, where he won the gold medal with Lev Katsman. They both met in the 1/4 finals stage and reigning champion Katsman lost to his doubles partner in a hard-fought game 3-4.
In the semi-finals Skachkov had to get past the 22-year old Nikita Artemenko, who also became one of the surprises of this tournament. The more experienced Skachkov won 4-1 and advanced to the final. But it was still a great tournament for Artemenko, as he won his two first bronze medals in this tournament, adding a doubles bronze to his singles accolade.
The final match was a historic moment for both – Skachkov and Grebnev. For both of them, it was a chance to win their first Russian title in singles event. In the end, experience took it over. Skachkov won 4-2 and enjoyed another memorable moment this year. Last month, he earned his spot in the Tokyo Olympics.
Outside the medal winners, one of the biggest surprises was the performance of the 50-year old table tennis veteran Dmitriy Bobrov, who won two higher ranked players in the group stage made and reached the round of 32, where he lost to Alexei Liventsov.
2021 RUSSIAN NATIONAL TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDALISTS
SINGLES
Kirill Skachkov Maksim Grebnev Nikita Artemenko Andrei BaibuldinDOUBLES
Lev Katsman/Maksim Grebnev Alexei Liventsov/Mikhail Paikov Kirill Skachkov/Nikita Artemenko Sadi Ismailov/Denis IvoninMIXED DOUBLES
Alexei Liventsov/Yulia Prokhorova Vildan Gadiev/Valeria Kocyur Kirill Skachkov/Olga Vorobyeva Andrei Baibuldin/Anna RyazanovaDonât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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From Amateur King to Chinese Super League. The journey of Zhu Yi
Chinese table tennis player Zhu Yi has seen a lot of contrasts in his career. He was one of the millions of Chinese kids who dreamed about the opportunity to represent his country on the international stage. Despite his heavy stature, Yi proved to be a relatively talented young man. At the early stages of his table tennis journey, he was training with such well-known names, as Xu Xin.
Unfortunately, Yi did not make it to the national team and he had to return to regular life. However, this did not weaken his passion for table tennis and Yi continued to play on the Chinese amateur level, where he soon became a household name. While table tennis fans outside China may not know him, Zhu Yi is a well-known name in Chinese table tennis. You don’t get a saying: “The one who wins Zhu Yi, wins the World” – just like that.
In 2018, he got under the national spotlight, when in the Hainan Challenge tournament, where 5 Chinese amateur players got a chance to play against the European table tennis stars. Yi was selected to play against Dimitrij Ovtcharov in a handicap game. Every set started with a 3-0 lead to Yi. Ovtcharov was a World Ranking leader at that time and… He lost 2-3 to Zhu Yi. Of course, this was a handicap game and it had no special significance, but the fact remains a fact – Yi showed that he is a high-level athlete.
Despite being a famous player on the amateur scene, Zhu Yi sees himself as more like a retired professional athlete because, in the early days, he went through professional training and simply did not make the cut to join the national team. And this is a fair statement, considering the incredibly high competitive level in Chinese table tennis, where you have to be superb to stick around the national team.
Nevertheless, Yi still got a chance to see himself among the World’s best players in the 2020 Chinese Super League season. He was selected by the Lexuan Sports Group TTC team that finished the season in 7th place. Yi played 4 games and lost them all. Still, he had some good moments against the legendary Ma Long, taking a set away from the Dragon, and winning few beautiful rallies.
It is interesting to imagine, how Yi would perform on the international stage if he would have a chance to play in the professional tours. Seeing his skillset, it is fair to assume that he would definitely be a TOP 50-100 player in the World, and he would strengthen most of the teams in Europe. It is worth mentioning that Yi has won in various tournaments against such table tennis stars, like Joo Sae-hyuk and Hou Yingchao.
In real life, Yi simply continues to enjoy participation in various tournaments around China and he might make another appearance in the Chinese Super League in the upcoming season. His appearance and stature might look heavy and chubby, but don’t estimate the man by his look – there is the highest quality table tennis player hidden in this man.
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SaarbrĂźcken joins Borussia DĂźsseldorf in the Bundesliga finals
After the first dramatic meeting in SaarbrĂźcken, TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen was looking for a comeback. Same as the first time, this meeting turned out as a true nerve-wracking spectacle for the table tennis fans.
Ochsenhausen’s Hugo Calderano did a great job and brought both team’s wins. First, he easily managed to win the German Patrick Franziska 3-0. His second game was against a well-known opponent, Slovenian Darko Jorgic. This one was more competitive and Slovenian put up some fight. However, Calderano still got a comfortable 3-1 win.
Unfortunately for Ochsenhausen, Simon Gauzy and Samuel Kulczycki could not follow the footsteps of their teammate and they both lost to their respective opponents Shang Kun and Jorgic. They also lost a close 2-3 match up against the Franziska & Kun doubles pair in the decisive match.
For a third year in a row 1. FC SaarbrĂźcken TT will be in the German Bundesliga finals. Last season, club won its first Bundesliga title. Can they make it two in a row? Borussia DĂźsseldorf won’t be an easy opponent to beat, as its leader Anton Källberg is in a really great form this season and you can never underestimate the experience of Timo Boll.
2020/21 BUNDESLIGA SEMI-FINALS
3 –
1. FC SaarbrĂźcken TT
2 – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen
Game 2 Patrick Franziska – 
Hugo Calderano 0-3 (3-11, 8-11, 7-11)
Darko Jorgic – 
Simon Gauzy 3-2 (17-19, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6) Shang Kun – Samuel Kulczycki 3-0 (14-12, 11-5, 11-9) Darko Jorgic – Hugo Calderano 1-3 (8-11, 11-6, 10-12, 7-11) Patrick Franziska/Shang Kun – Simon Gauzy/Samuel Kulczycki 3-2 (13-11, 10-12, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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Dramatic win for SaarbrĂźcken in Bundesliga semi-finals
On opposite to the first semi-final matches, where Borussia DĂźsseldorf relatively easily won the both matches against ASV GrĂźnwettersbach, the other pair of semi-finalists brought a truly dramatic and exciting spectacle.
SaarbrĂźcken had a very slow start against Ochsenhausen. Simon Gauzy and Hugo Calderano took a comfortable 3-0 wins against Darko Jorgic and Shang Kun, who recently participated in the qualification stage China National Games 2021. Situation almost got worse for SaarbrĂźcken in the third match up, when after having a comfortable 2-0 lead, Patrick Franziska found himself in the fifth set, where he eventually got the win against Samuel Kulczycki in a close 14-12 win.
Slovenian Darko Jorgic had a similar, dramatic match up against Calderano. Another tight 3-2 win and everything was up to the doubles match, where Franziska paired with Kun and Gauzy with Kulczycki. It was another exciting spectacle for the fans of both teams. However, it turned out to be an upset for the Ochsenhausen, as Franziska & Kun got a 3-2 victory that secured their first step towards the 2021 German Bundesliga finals. It is fair to expect that the next game will be no less dramatic than the first one.
2020/21 BUNDESLIGA SEMI-FINALS
3 –
1. FC SaarbrĂźcken TT
2 – TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen
Game 1 Darko Jorgic – Simon Gauzy 0-3 (8-11, 5-11, 6-11) Shang Kun – Hugo Calderano 0-3 (10-12, 4-11, 7-11) Patrick Franziska – Samuel Kulczycki 3-2 (11-5, 11-5, 7-11, 11-13, 14-12) Darko Jorgic – Hugo Calderano 3-2 (6-11, 12-10, 2-11, 12-10, 11-9) Patrick Franziska/Shang Kun – Simon Gauzy/Samuel Kulczycki 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9)Donât miss out the news from Table Tennis Media, subscribing to our free newsletter and explore the premium content on our Patreon.
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