Recovering from the mental torture of losing two match points in the sixth game and succeeding in the vital seventh, Patrick Franziska kept the German flag flying at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open in Doha on Friday 10th February. Not seeded, having been required to compete in two days of qualification matches, the former European Youth champion overcame Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan (11-9, 3-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 11-7) to enter unchartered waters.

At the immediately previous tournament on the GAC GROUP 2012 World Tour, in Slovenia, he achieved new heights.

Fine Performance in Slovenia
He reached the third round of the Men’s Singles event by recording wins over Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia and colleague Ruwen Filus, before losing in six games to China’s superb Xu Xin.

In Doha, the 19 year old went one step better. In Slovenia he caused Ruwen Filus, in Doha palpitations; the German defender was delegated to the role of coach.

Match Points
Patrick Franziska held match point at 10-9 in the sixth game and then at 11-10 before losing three points in a row to give Chuang Chih-Yuan a lifeline; then in the decisive seventh game he led 5-3 when the players changed ends, only for the Chinese Taipei star to level at 6-all.

Seventh Game
Would experience count; had the pendulum swung in Chuang Chih-Yuan’s favour? 

It had not, the next three points went to Patrick Franziska; Chuang Chih-Yuan reduced the deficit to 9-7 but was afforded no more points. The German teenager had exceeded Slovenian heights.

Defeats for Germany
Success for one Patrick Franziska but for his colleagues, Patrick Baum and Dimitrij Ovtcharov it was defeat.

Patrick Baum, the no.13 seed, was beaten by China’s Ma Lin, the no.3 seed (11-6, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7, 13-11); whilst Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the no.6 seed suffered a surprise defeat at hands of the Korean whirlwind, Lee Jung Woo, the no.17 seed.

Risk Taking Worked
The match went the full seven games distance with Dimitrij Ovtcharov leading 6-3 in the final game; the German did nothing wrong, simply Lee Jung Woo hit a purple patch. 

He levelled at 9-all, to say he took risks is an understatement; Dimitrij Ovtcharov executed perfectly efficient top spin strokes, the Korean either returned with a breath taking top spin or an outrageous block.
One More Upset
An upset in the third round of the Men’s Singles event and there was one more. 

Hong Kong’s Jiang Tianyi, the no.30 seed, who has not enjoyed the best of fortunes in recent months on the international scene, found his form. He beat Japan’s Koki Niwa, the no.14 seed and reigning World champion in five games (14-12, 7-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-5).

Strange Score Line
Defeat for one member of the Japanese National Team but for another it was success but very hard fought success and a quite inexplicable score line; especially the sixth game.

Jun Mizutani, the no.5 seed, overcame Russian qualifier, Alexander Shibaev in a full distance seven games duel (11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 9-11, 8-11, 11-0, 11-7).

Leading Names Win
Success for Jun Mizutani and also there was success for the top seeded Chinese duo of Wang Hao and Xu Xin in addition to the fourth seeded Korean, Joo Se Hyuk.

Wang Hao, the no.1 seed, overcame Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus, the no.9 seed (11-6, 10-12, 11-6, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6); whilst Xu Xin, the no.2 seed, overpowered Singapore’s Gao Ning, the 12 seed, in five games (11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-5).

Compatriot Presents Problems
No deciding seventh game needed for the Chinese top three but for Joo Se Hyuk that was not the case.

He needed seven games to beat compatriot and qualifier Jeong Sang Eun, the young man who in 2007 in Palo Alto had been crowned World Junior champion and with his powerful forehand caused his compatriot problems.

Joo Se Hyuk won 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6

Source: http://www.ittf.com/_front_page/ittf_full_story1.asp?ID=26873&Competition_ID=2111&

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