Wednesday, March 18, 2009
11:07 PM
ITTF Pro Tour German Open - Qualifiers receive poor draws...
The recently crowned Men' Singles Champion Ma Liang receive a poor draw in the qualifying stage of the Men's Singles Event. The chances of other paddlers entering the Main Draw is rather slim as well.

Ma Liang has been drawn into group 38, where he will face Chinese teenager Zheng Peifeng and Konecny Tomas. Zheng Peifeng has every ability to upset Ma Liang. Meanwhile, Cai Xiao Li and Pang Xue Jie will also have to upset the higher ranked opponents to ensure a place in the Main Draw.

Sim Kai Xin Zena was not spared either. She is grouped together with French Grundisch Carole and Kertai Rita from Hungary. Both players are currently ranked higher than her.

Yang Zi received another lousy draw. He will be facing the experienced German Suss Christian in the 2nd round. Gao Ning is expected to reach the Quarter Finals before meeting 2nd Seed Samsonov Vladimir.

Yu Meng Yu suffered the same fate as Yang Zi. She is likely to meet China's Mu Zi in the 2nd Round of the Women's Singles Event. Feng Tianwei will meet the same opponent in the Quarter Finals. 2nd Seeds Wang Yue Gu and Sun Bei Bei will be able to proceed to Semi-Finals with much ease, since her opponents are unlikely to cause them much problems. However, things might not be as cheerful as it look for them. Our paddlers will still have to be on the lookout for the Chinese Qualifiers.

In the Men's Doubles Events, Top Seeds Gao Ning/Yang Zi are likely to repeat their last week's success to clinch the title. Their strongest enemy will 2nd Seeds Germany's Boll Timo/Suss Christian and the 2 Chinese Pairs.

On the other hand, our female paddlers may cause upsets in the Women's Doubles Event. Given the fantastic results achieved by the partnering of Sun Bei Bei/Yu Meng Yu, they will definitely have the ability to capture the title.




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