(by Steve Hopkins, photo by ITTFWorld)

The latest installment of the Dusseldorf Masters event was held this week in Germany.  This week’s winner, Germany’s Dang Qiu.

The Dusseldorf Masters series have been held in June and July.  This is the seventh event (6 were men’s events and 1 was a female event).  The biggest story through the Semifinals was how well Germany’s young players were doing.  Tobias Hippler (21) and Gerrit Engemann (20) had each scored a major upset in the Quarterfinals.  Hippler upset World No. 31 Omar Assar 4-2, and Engemann upset World No. 90 Alberto Mino 4-0.  The young players’ luck ran out in the Semifinals, however, as Anton Kallberg and Dang Qiu each advanced.

Kallberg took care of Hippler quickly with a 4-1 win (the one loss was a 17-15 marathon in the second game).  The player of the day was Dang Qiu.  Qiu was pressed in the opening game against Engemann, but won 14-12.  After that, Qiu rolled, winning three straight at 5, 2, and 7.  Qiu’s momentum didn’t slow in Final either.  He won four straight over Kallberg (8, 6, 6, 5).

Qiu has been the most consistent player in the Dusseldorf Masters Series and before today was already the overall points leader.  In fact, this is the fourth Final out of the six events for Qiu.  Today’s win extends his points lead.

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