Timo Boll, the No.3 seed, resigned his defeat earlier in the day
against Kalinikos Kreanga to history and in a thoroughly professional
manner defeated Singapore’s Gao Ning in five games.
The win keeps his hopes of a place in the quarter-finals alive in the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in Liège.
In
the Group C contest played on the evening of Friday 26th September 2008
against his Singaporean adversary, Timo Boll won 12-10, 11-7, 9-11,
11-7, 11-4.
The German star controlled matters whilst on the adjacent table,
also in Group C, Kalinikos Kreanga maintained his unbeaten record in
the tournament by beating Nigeria’s Segun Toriola, in a thrilling seven
games encounter.
In a contest littered with outstanding counter
topspin rallies, Kalinikos Kreanga succeeded 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6,
4-11, 6-11, 11-8.
Just the Same
"I
don’t think I did anything that different to when I played Kalin
Kreanga earlier today; against him it’s just a case of who receives
service better", said Timo Boll. "I’m satisfied with how I played
today; I’m still in the race."
Omen
The
No.3 seed most certainly is in the race and when he won in Liège three
years ago, he lost one match in the group stage; on that occasion he
was beaten by Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus.
Is that an omen for Timo Boll?
Stretched to the Limit
A comparatively comfortable win for Timo Boll but not for Kalinikos Kreanga, he was stretched to the limit.
"It’s
been a hard day, a very hard day", smiled a very satisfied Kalinikos
Kreanga who had concluded the first day of proceedings unbeaten.
"I
led by three games to one and 3-0 then I stopped playing, I should have
pressed harder at that stage", continued Kalinikos Kreanga. "It was at
that stage he, he started to play well; simply he didn’t miss!"
Backhand Service
The African champion raised his game but Kalinikos Kreanga had a secret weapon in store.
"At the crucial points I served with my backhand", said the Greek star. "It caused him problems, it made the difference."
Bad Start
It was victory for Kalinikos Kreanga and so near yet so far for Segun Toriola.
"I
didn’t make a good start, I was always catching up", said Segun
Toriola. "I needed to make a better start and perhaps have some luck at
the crucial moments."
He came so close, so very close but it was not to be.
Source: www.ittf.com
