Shock Defeats for Two Leading Names but Top Spot Still Open
2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open
Courtesy of ITTF
Surprise defeats for Spain’s Carlos Machado and Russia’s Alexey Liventsov on Wednesday April 20th, two of the leading names on duty in the first stage of the Men’s Singles event at the 2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open but the chances of securing first position in the group and thus a main draw place remain open.
Listed at no.96 on the current Men’s World Rankings, Carlos Machado is the fifth highest rated player on initial stage duty; Alexey Liventsov, at no.93 is the fourth.
Narrow Margin
Carlos Machado was beaten by Laurens Tromers of the Netherlands (11-5, 11-5, 11-13, 14-12, 12-14, 11-7).
At the same time, in a closely contested full distance seven games duel, decided by the very narrowest of margins, Alexey Liventsov experienced defeat at the hands of the Slovak Republic’s Samuel Novota (6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5, 6-11, 5-11, 15-13).
Presently 20-year-old Laurens Tromers is named at no.280 in the global order, 24 year old Samuel Novota is at no.290.
Opening Match
However, in the opening match in the group, Laurens Tromers had experienced defeat at the hands of Denmark’s Wang Zhixu, listed at no.251 (11-3, 11-5, 11-9, 12-10); likewise Samuel Novota had been beaten by Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy (9-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9).
Thus in the concluding group stage contest, in order to top the group, Carlos Machado must beat Wang Zhixu in four straight games; Alexey Liventsov can afford to drop just one game in opposition to Vitor Ishiy to secure first place.
Top Spot Assured
First place in the group still in doubt but for one player and one player only, top place is assured.
Poland’s Marek Badowski caused not one but two surprises to complete his first phase matches unbeaten. Named at no.401 on the current Men’s World Rankings, the 19 year old accounted for Florent Lambiet (11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-5), before overcoming England’s Sam Walker by the minimal two point margin in a full distance seven games contest (8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 13-11, 7-11, 7-11, 12-10).
On the current Men’s World Rankings, Florent Lambiet is listed at no.201; Sam Walker is at no.111.
“It’s a very big success for me; now I’m convinced that I can win against better players”, said Marek Badowski. “I want to take part in international competitions more often, I want to improve my table tennis skills and be a professional table tennis player.”
Success for Leading Names
Meanwhile, other than for Alexey Liventsov and Carlos Machado, for the leading names it was one match played, one match won.
The Czech Republic’s Lubomir Jancarik, Italy’s Mihai Bobocica and Japan’s Taku Takakiwa enjoyed success, as did Frenchman Benjamin Brossier and Ukraine’s Yaroslav Zhmudenko.
Qualification Format
A total of 40 groups in the initial phase of the Men’s Singles event; players finishing in first place in group no.1 to group no.24 progress immediately to the main draw, players who conclude matters in first place in group no.25 to group no.40 secure places in a preliminary round.
Winners of the preliminary round matches advance to the main draw where they join the 32 seeded players; the qualification stage concludes in Thursday April 21st.
Visit the Official 2016 ITTF World Tour Polish Open competition page to follow complete coverage.
