(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT)
Fan Zhendong lost to Patrick Franziska in the Round of 16 match today, the latest upset victim in a long list of top players taking an early exit at WTT’s Saudi Smash. The World’s No. 2 dominated early logging 11-4 and 11-4 wins. This would have been exactly as expected, as the last time these two faced at WTT Champions Incheon, Fan dominated for a 3-0 win. Today was different, however – as Franziska turned the tide in the third game – pulling ahead early and holding on for an easy 11-6 win. The fourth game was tight throughout, but Franziska pulled ahead at the end for an 11-8 win. This set up a highly emotional, final game – and Fan led 10-8 as that game was coming to a close. But after a long backhand-backhand rally, and a big forehand winner, Franziska tied the game 10-10. Two points later, and Franziska advances to the Quarters. Another interesting thing to watch for Franziska is the ranking points that come with this deep run – the Quarterfinals awards 350 Ranking Points which will put him ahead of Ovtcharov making him the second highest ranked German player.
Top seed, Wang Chuqin continues to roll. He will face Denmark’s Jonathan Groth, who upset Lin Gaoyuan earlier in the tournament. Groth topped Hiroto Shinozuka 3-2 today in a battle of underdogs – Shinozuka eliminated Ovtcharov on Monday.
China entered the tournament with six players: World Nos 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 15. One couldn’t have blamed an oddsmaker for betting on an All-China Final (or even an All-China Final Four). But that is not to be as four of the six Chinese players have fallen to upsets already. Fan Zhendong lost to Franziska, Lang Jingkun fell to Iran’s Alamiyan, Ma Long lost to Woojin, and Gaoyuan was Groth’s first upset victim. Whether its luck, or humidity, or a narrowing gap between China and the rest of the world, it is just Chuqin and Shidong remaining for China. And, as luck would have it, if they each win their next match, they will face off in the Semifinals.
Europe is looking good at the moment, with Denmark’s Groth, France’s Lebrun, Germany’s Qiu, and Germany’s Franziska all through to the Final 8. And the last two slots both go to Korea with Jang Woojin (who has already defeated Ma Long and Darko Jorgic on one of the toughest draws possible who is next set to face World No. 5 Felix Lebrun), and Cho Daeseong (whose path was through Quadri Aruna and Chuang Chih-Yuan).
Chuqin will face Groth, Shidong will face Cho, Lebrun will face Woojin, and Franziska will face Qiu.
In Women’s Singles, four Chinese players have reached the Final 8. Sun Yingsha will face Qian Tianyi, Wang Yidi will face Mima Ito, Miwa Harimoto will face Chen Meng, and Hina Hayata will face Manika Batra. Batra is the biggest surprise of the top 8 having taken out Wang Manyu 3-1, and then Nina Mittelham 3-0. The other players are not necessarily by seed, as Qian Tianyi had a small upset over teammate Chen Xingtong in their Round of 16 match, and Mima Ito emerged from a group where she was slightly lower than Shin Yubin (who was upset early). But of these Final 8, seven have been at the top of the rankings and have won tour events. Still, the headlines currently belong to Batra – the last of the underdogs in the women’s bracket.
This year’s Saudi Smash has 2 million dollars in prize money, and the winners will get 2000 ranking points. Nealy every top player in the world is competing – with the men having 47 of the World Top 50, and the women’s draw with 44 of the World’s Top 50.
Lots of action is on tap for this week with the Finals scheduled this Saturday.
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