by Ian Marshall, Editor
He beat Alberto Miño in four games (13-15, 11-9, 11-6, 16-14) currently list at no.78 on the world rankings, as opposed to Gerrit Engemann at no.277; a difference just short of 200 places.
It was notable progress for Gerrit Engemann, the previous week it had been an opening round defeat at the hands of colleague Benedikt Duda (11-4, 11-7, 12-10).
“Last week, of course, everything was a little unusual to be playing again after such a long break. Today I was maybe a bit less nervous at the beginning. Unfortunately I couldn’t bring my performance, which I had achieved in the last days in training, to the match. Nevertheless, I am of course satisfied that I won, even if I still have to work on some things.” Gerrit Engemann
Youth prevails
A most noteworthy performance, as was that of Cédric Meissner; the no.8 seed and listed at no.269 in the current order of merit. He beat Slovakia’s Thomas Keinath, not seeded and named at no.394. He prevailed in four games (12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5).
According status, the success may be regarded very much as expected but experience must be taken into account. Cédric Meissner is 19 years of age; Thomas Keinath is over twice that number, he is 42 years old.
“I was very good today in the serve and return area. Even though I made a lot of easy mistakes, I’m still satisfied that I won.” Cédric Meissner
Imposing starts
Success for youth in opposition to experience; in the remaining first round matches, it was very much the reverse scenario.
Significantly, Steffen Mengel, the somewhat surprise runner up one week earlier, made a most impressive start to his campaign. He accounted for 17 year old Kay Stumper.
“I came in a little heavy, like last week. At the last tournament I was able to improve a lot on day two and I hope that it will be the same this time.” Steffen Mengel
Progress as anticipated for Steffen Mengel, the no.5 seed, it was the same from the player who is the tournament favourite, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the top seed. He started his campaign by overcoming 22 year old Nils Hohmeier (11-8, 11-2, 11-9).
“I trained a lot last week and I hope to improve this week. I played a solid first match, even if my performance is certainly still capable of improvement”. Dimitrij Ovtcharov.
Prominent names
A place in the quarter-finals for the top seed; it was the same for the next three in line. Making his first appearance in the event, Kanak Jha of the United States, the no.2 seed, beat Tayler Fox (11-5, 11-7, 11-2); similarly Qiu Dang, the no.3 seed, ousted Kirill Fadeev (11-3, 11-6, 11-3).
“I’m happy to have won my first match. It’s been a long time since I played a match, so it was important to be in good mental shape. I won and I hope I can do that again tomorrow.” Kanak Jha
Important experience
Positive words from the players, it was the same from Richard Prause, the Sports Director for the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB).
“It’s an important experience to compete under these conditions. The current, new normality is still very unusual, without spectators, without noise. For the top players it is good competition training; for the youngsters it is important to gain experience. Both together make the Düsseldorf Masters so valuable.” Richard Prause.
Play concludes on Tuesday 9th June.
Results & Schedule: 2020 Düsseldorf Masters: Second Tournament
Monday 8th June 2020
Round One
Tobias Hippler (6) bt Felix Köhler 11-5, 11-7, 11-4
Qiu Dang (3) bt Kirill Fadeev 11-3, 11-6, 11-3
Gerrit Engemann bt Alberto Miño (4) 13-15, 11-9, 11-6, 16-14
Meng Fanbo (7) bt Tobias Sältzer 11-2, 11-5, 11-7
Dimitrij Ovtcharov (1) bt Nils Hohmeier 11-8, 11-2, 11-9
Steffen Mengel (5) bt Kay Stumper 11-8, 14-12, 11-6
Kanak Jha (2) bt Tayler Fox 11-5, 11-7, 11-2
Cédric Meissner (8) bt Thomas Keinath 12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5
Tuesday 9th June
Quarter Finals
09.30 Fanbo Meng (7) v Gerrit Engemann
10.05 Dang Qiu (3) v Cedric Meissner (8)
10.40 Dimitrij Ovtcharov (1) v Tobias Hippler (6)
11.15 Kanak Jha (2) – Steffen Mengel (5)
- Numbers in brackets denote seeding
- The semi-finals will take place at 11.50 and 12.25 respectively; the final is scheduled for 13.45.
- Play in continuous, times stated are the earliest the match will be played