The experts will tell you that it takes at eight years for a player to graduate from early promise into an athlete of international status.
It is a long grey grind and there are disappointments to be overcome but with the advent in the current century of the ITTF Global Junior Programme and the establishment of the ITTF Junior Circuit, the path is smoother and the opportunities greater than witnessed in the past.
One player to benefit is Poland’s 18 year old Pawel Fertikowski.
A fact he underlined on Wednesday 14th January 2009 at the Slovenian Open in Velenje.
Two Fine Wins
On the opening day of play he hit form to beat Chung Wai Lung of the Netherlands before accounting for the more experienced Frenchman, Sebastian Jover on the second day of action.
He beat Chung Wai Lung 11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 13-11 before accounting for Sebastian Jover 11-3, 11-9, 12-14, 12-10, 11-9.
The win over the adopted Dutchman was of great merit, the win over the native Frenchman was even of a higher accolade; Jover was the seventh highest ranked male player in action in the qualification stage of the Men’s Singles event.
World Rankings
A fine result for the rising Polish star and the magnitude of the win is reflected in the current positions they occupy on the ITTF Men’s World Rankings.
Jover stands at no.150 with Fertikowski over 300 places lower at no. 455.
Haunted
"I played extremely well up to the end of third game I was two sets to nil up and had a point to win the third game”, explained Fertikowski. “I played a ball that I thought touched the edge of the table but the umpire ruled it out and I lost that game; it haunted me for the remainder of the match and I had a lot of trouble concentrating.”
Nevertheless, the young Pole coped with the situation and perhaps the experience of competing internationally at junior level helped.
Cleared Head
“However, I cleared my head eventually and prevailed with my powerful top spin”, said Fertikowski “I did well receiving service and I must say that I am very happy; now I have to forget this match and look forward, maybe I can cause another upset here in Velenje.”
It’s possible, he’s in form.
“I won’t be disappointed if that doesn’t happen, I just hope my career will be boosted by this result”, continued the Polish teenager. “There are many young Polish players here making an impression; we work hard, we train a a great deal, we concentrate and we are motivated so I very much hope that everything will come together in the future and we will have many good results in the forthcoming tournaments."
Watershed
No doubt that will be the situation and for Fertikowski it was a breakthrough. It is the first time he has reached he main draw of a Men’s Singles event on the ITTF Pro Tour.
Source: www.ittf.com
