by Ian Marshall, Editor
Seven days earlier at the quarter-final stage, Dimitrij Ovtcharov had suffered a quarter-final defeat by the narrowest of margins at the hands of Qiu Dang (11-5, 15-17, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9).
Seven days later, they met in the final, there was no such drama, Dimitrij Ovtcharov prevailed in four games (11-7, 11-2, 7-11, 11-6).
“I think I had a better rhythm this week than last. The whole match feeling has developed, it was a class better. Of course there has to be more in the future but I’m really happy with the way I played today. Today I was more dominant from the beginning. Dang has developed quite strongly, just like Bene Duda, and that’s why it was a decent win. I’m looking forward to the other tournaments.” Dimitrij Ovtcharov
A deciding fifth game not required, it had been the same earlier in the day. At the quarter-final stage he ousted Tobias Hippler, the no.6 seed (11-7, 11-2, 12-10), followed by a similarly impressive win when facing Meng Fanbo, the no.7 seed (11-7, 11-9, 11-6).
Jörg Rosskopf impressed
Imposing, most certainly, performances that impressed Jörg Rosskopf, the national coach.
“Dima was hot to win the tournament. Against Dang, who previously had a tough match against Jha, he played very concentrated and powerful in the final. You can see from all the players that the tournament is very well received. Training and competition can be perfectly combined in this format. The games are taken very seriously and as a coach you see a lot of things here that we can take over to the neighbouring training hall and incorporate into the training. That’s the way it has to be.” Jörg Rosskopf
Unhindered progress for Dimitrij Ovtcharov, as Jörg Rosskopf highlighted, for Qiu Dang progress to the title decider had been somewhat different.
Narrow decisions
After recording a straight games win against Cédric Meissner, the no.8 seed (11-7, 11-7, 11-4), in the penultimate round, he was stretched the full distance by Kanak Jha, the no.2 seed (7-11, 11-3, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9), a young man who was certainly enjoying value for money.
At the quarter-final stage, he accounted for Steffen Mengel, the no.5 seed and runner up the previous week, by the minimal two point margin in the decider (11-3, 7-11, 13-11, 3-11, 11-9).
“It was a really tough match. The last time I played Steffen Mengel, it ended 3-2 like today. I knew that it would be a close match and I am really happy that I won and reached the semi-finals.” Kanak Jha
Three days
Two tournaments completed, the next commences on Monday 15th June; a total of 16 players as before with no spectators but as opposed to two days, play will be scheduled over a three day period.
Live Broadcast:
Results: 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 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
Dimitrij Ovtcharov (1) bt Tobias Hippler (6) 11-7, 11-2, 12-10
Meng Fanbo (7) bt Gerrit Engemann 7-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9
Qiu Dang (3) bt Cedric Meissner (8) 11-7, 11-7, 11-4
Kanak Jha (2) bt Steffen Mengel (5) 11-3, 7-11, 13-11, 3-11, 11-9
Tuesday 9th June: Semi-Finals
Dimitrij Ovtcharov (1) bt Meng Fanbo (7) 11-7, 11-9, 11-6
Qiu Dang (3) bt Kanak Jha (2) 7-11, 11-3, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9
Tuesday 9th June: Final
Dimitrij Ovtcharov (1) bt Qiu Dang (3) 11-7, 11-2, 7-11, 11-6
- Numbers in brackets denote seeding