DAWEI ITTF PRO TOUR GRAND FINALS 2001

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JEAN MICHEL SAIVE N°1 on the pro tour

09/01/2002
Peter Jensen, ITTF
Tianjin, China

The number 1 on the Pro Tour Standings in Men’s Singles in 2001, Jean-Michel SAIVE  (BEL) received on Wednesday 8000 US Dollars extra prize money for being number 1 and being among the 16 qualified for the Grand Finals he is also already certain to receive 2500 US Dollars in prize money – but then the income sources might dry out for the Belgian star.

At the draw on Wednesday the World’s nr. 3, LIU Guozheng was drawn as SAIVE’s opponent in the first round.

“Of course it was nice with the extra prize money, but beside that I have nothing good to say. The draw was the worst I could imagine”, says Jean-Michel SAIVE.

“Being seeded nr. 1 and then having to face nr. 3 in the World!”

Anyway SAIVE is going to give it a try.

“I met LIU at the US Open and though I was tired and a little injured I actually had my chances, let’s see what I can do. Meeting nr. 3 in the World I have nothing to lose”.

Another European star might also consider himself unlucky. Jan-Ove WALDNER (SWE) is facing MA Lin (CHN) to whom he lost at the Danish Open in December. WALDNER did not have many chances in that match.