With impressive 12:0 run Timo BOLL was first to reach the semi final of Liebherr Super Cup in Moscow. European champion won Michael MAZE, Werner SCHLAGER, and Zoran PRIMORAC on his way to the second day of the competition. German will play against Jorgen PERSSON on Wenesday 5 PM local time (3 PM CET). In second semifinal, Werner SCHLAGER finds his way through after wins over PRIMORAC and MAZE. He will meet the winner from the Group B Vladimir SAMSONOV at 6 PM (4 PM CET).
No surprises at the opening. At the first round of Liebherr Super Cup in Moscow, favorites safely finished their matches. In Group A top seed Timo BOLL beat Michael MAZE 4:0 (11:6, 11:7, 11:8, 11:7), and Werner SCHLAGER was better from the clash with Zoran PRIMORAC 4:1 (16:14, 11:5, 11:6, 3:11, 11:5). In Group B Vladimir SAMSONOV was better then Jorgen PERSSON 4:1 (11:7, 11:5, 7:11, 11:9,11:8). Dimitrij OVTCHAROV celebrated after winning over the home pride Igor RUBTSOV 4:0 (11:7, 11:8, 11:8, 11:7).
European champion Timo BOLL gave no chance to Dane, despite the cheers from enthusiastic crowd who wants to keep match from fast finish. SAMSONOV lost third set against Olympic semifinalist from Sweden. But Persson had a slim chance in the final part of the game. RUBTSOV stolen the attention in the crowded hall in Vidnoye but his efforts didn’t saved him from defeat.
In second round in Group A MAZE recovered and beat PRIMORAC 4:0 (11:8, 11:8, 11:9, 11:8), while BOLL continued his quest in Moscow and scored another victory. This time PRIMORAC was left no hope 4:0 (11:8, 11:8, 11:7, 11:6). The best match after two rounds went to SAMSONOV account. In Group B after 1:2 against OVTCHAROV he managed to stay in game and win 4:3 (11:7, 9:11, 6:11, 11:4, 11:8, 9:11, 11:8). RUBTSOV already leveled his record from last year and won two sets against PERSSON 4:2 (11:7, 7:11, 9:11, 11:6, 11:8, 11:8). "Dimitrij never beat me before but he was very close tonight - said SAMSONOV. - It seamed to me that the start of the game was decisive. Thankfully, I gained early lead in final set, and I managed to maintain it".
The greatest upset in the Group B made RUBTSOV who beat top seeded SAMSONOV in the last round 3:4 (8:11, 11:4, 11:2, 11:6, 4:11, 9:11, 8:11) . Anyway it didn’t made influences to SAMSONOV’s top position. In the second match PERSSON succeeded beating OVTCHAROV 2:4 (9:11, 11:13, 7:11, 15:13, 11:8, 9:11). In group A BOLL left PRIMORAC without the victory at the Liebherr Super Cup - 4:0 (11:7, 11:9, 11:6, 11:6). The match between MAZE and SCHLAGER provided great excitement in Group A. The fight for second place went to Austrian after the thriller 4:3 (11:9, 5:11, 6:11, 12:10, 11:7, 8:11, 11:9).
Source: www.ittf.com
