(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT)
WTT’s Star Contender series events are a bridge between lower level Contender level events and the top tier Champions level events. The prize money is below $250,000, ranking points are 600 for the winners, and depending upon the location the entrants are often a mix of young players quickly rising in the rankings and older players who are working to regain some of the prestige that they have had in the past (or players who have been previously blocked by top players in their country and are trying to break free and make a late run up the rankings).
This week’s Star Contender event in Chennai was a mix of interesting players. Oh Junsung of Korea is just 19 years old and already World No. 21. Dimitrij Ovtcharov entered as the second seed (World No. 25), but with his skills as a former World No. 1 he is capable of beating anyone. Flavien Coton, a 17 year old from France who has risen to World No. 32 despite having countrymen Simon Gauzy and the Lebrun brothers ahead of him taking up valuable slots at international competitions.
Top seed, Junsung Oh cruised through three rounds before withdrawing due to injury. Thibault Poret of France benefitted from the withdrawal by not having to play a Quarterfinal match – jumping straight to the Semis. Poret faced Flavien Coton in a match between young Frenchmen (Poret is 21, and Coton is 17). Poret won that match-up 3-0, and moved on to the Final.
The other Semifinal was not between two young, promising, rising stars. Rather, it was between two savvy veterans who have not always had opportunity to play in international events. Both emerged from their sections of the draw by defeating higher ranked players.
Korea’s Ganghyeon Park in 29 years old and only ranked No. 76. That did not stop him from winning four matches on his way to the Semifinals including upsets of Lilian Bardet of France and Dimitrij Ovtcharov. Lumbomir Jancarik was an even more unlikely Semifinalist – he is a 38 year old from the Czech Republic who is currently ranked No. 174 and has never been higher that No. 66.
When Jancarik and Park faced off in their Semifinal, it was Park that led twice – winning the first and third games. But Jancarik ran off two in a row (11-7 and 11-9) wo win. After a short break, it was the 39 year old Jancarik with 21 years of experience on the tour against a young Frenchman who is only 21 year old. All of the games were close, but it was Jancarik who managed to win 4-2.
Jancarik logs his first WTT win. More importantly, these 600 ranking points have an amazing effect at No. 174 (where he only had 106 points). His new total presumably 706 points) should place him inside of the World Top 40 – his highest ranking in his 21 year professional career.
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