The crowd chanted the familiar phrase "Jean-Mi, Jean Mi, allez
Jean-Mi", as always the Liège Legionnaire responded like a Roman
gladiator ready to face the foe in the amphitheatre.
On Friday
26th September 2008, the amphitheatre was the Country Hall Ethias, the
enemy, Europe’s rising star, the innovative Dimitrij Ovtcharov in their
Group D duel.
The two gladiators fought tooth and nail in a titanic struggle with the younger of the two combatants securing victory.
However, for the loser it was "thumbs up", the crowd
appreciated the efforts of their local hero; he had fought to the very
last.
Gallantry Appreciated
They
reacted in true Roman style; "thumbs up" from those in the amphitheatre
earned a reprieve, "thumbs down" meant no tomorrow; for Jean-Michel
Saive in his beloved Belgium his gallantry was appreciated.
Dimitrij Ovtcharov won 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 11-9.
Fighting and Fighting
"The
tournament is so soon after the Olympic Games and with the new glue
regulations in force it’s difficult to adjust", said Dimitrij
Ovtcharov. "It was important I came back to win this match, I just kept
fighting but I’m not sure that the quality of the match was that good."
Well,
that’s a somewhat harsh comment; it was the best match to date in the
tournament and thoroughly appreciated by the crowd; for Dimitrij
Ovtcharov who trailed 0-4 in the deciding seventh game, it was also
"thumbs up" from the crowd.
International Experience Counted
Meanwhile,
quietly in almost unassuming fashion, Denmark’s Michael Maze overcame
the spirited Australian teenager, Trent Carter, in Group B.
The international experience of Michael Maze was very much evident in the straight games win.
Michael Maze won 11-4, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7.
High Praise
The
former European Youth champion and 2003 Volkswagen 48th World
Championship bronze medallist controlled proceedings but was full of
praise for his younger adversary.
"He was aggressive and when he
had a chance he took the chance", explained the talented Dane. "He
fights, some young players when they are losing stop fighting, he kept
fighting."
Bright Future
Positive words from Michael Maze and he sees a bright future for the young man from Melbourne.
"He
enjoyed the match, he enjoyed the competition", continued Michael Maze.
"He’s loving every minute of being here playing in such a big
tournament."
Certainly, Trent Carter has fought on the opening
day, not overawed by the sense of occasion and prepared to do battle
with the very best.
Source: www.ittf.com
