| Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor | |
| Second Seed Departs and Austrian Continues his Amazing Run of Success | |
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Japan’s Kaii Yoshida, the number three seed in the Men’s Singles event, continued his untroubled progress at the Serbian Open in Belgrade by beating Hungary’s János Jakab in straight games at the quarter-final stage on Saturday 21st October 2006. However, he is the only one of the top four seeds to reach the penultimate round. Top seed, Trinko Keen lost in round one, fourth seed Panagiotis Gionis fell in round three and Aleksandar Karakasevic, the number two seed, departed in the quarters. |
| Karakasevic, he host nation's leading player, lost in five games to Mihai Bobocica of Italy who succeeded 11-6, 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 12-10. Practised “I was lucky with the draw”, said Mihai Bobocica. “I’d practised with Aleksandar three days ago so I knew what to expect.” He may have known what to expect but even so, the Serbian on home soil with the crowd behind him, is a formidable opponent. “Today I felt I played really well, I feel in good shape”, continued Mihai Bobocica. “I hope it’s just the beginning, in the quarters I beat Dániel Gorak in six games, last time I played him I didn’t even win one game!” Compact Mihai Bobocica is a compact player, at his best when rallies develop. “I think I’m safer now, more consistent and when it’s topspin to topspin in open play I feel more and more confident”, he continued. “I am really pleased with my performance against Aleksandar, it’s very difficult playing him when he topspins; he puts more rotation on the ball than other players.” Penholder Again Meanwhile, in the opposite half of the draw the quite amazing run of Austria’s Bernhard Presslmayer continued; having beaten Poland’s Wang Zeng Yi earlier in the day he accounted for Japan’s Kan Yo at the quarter-final stage to end the hopes of the player who had beaten the top seed in the opening round. It was his second consecutive contest against a right handed penhold grip player and he once again displayed his liking for that style of play. He won 12-10, 11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9. First Time Kan Yo had spent four months in Austria in 1999 but the duel in Belgrade on Saturday 21st October 2006 was the first time that Bernhard Presslmayer had confronted the adopted Japanese star. “I felt confident, very few penhold grip players can play strongly with the backhand, so that suits me”, explained the delighted Austrian. “It gives me a chance to play my backhand and dominate the point.” He did, he used his backhand to good effect, usually across the table into the backhand of Kan Yo but just to keep his opponent guessing, he played `down-the-line’ into the forehand on several occasions. The tactic worked and playing wide to the forehand was a good ploy, Kan Yo is very strong with his forehand attack from the backhand court. Receive Well “It was essential I received service well”, added Bernhard Presslmayer. “A weak return and I had no chance; often he served with minimal backspin, I was able to flick the service and take full advantage of the situation.” The Austrian made the better start, he won the first two games but Kan Yo recovered to win the next two. “He made changes, especially when serving”, said Bernhard Presslmayer. “He made it hard to play my game; however, I felt confident even though I lost those two games and in the end everything went well.” More Success Success for Austria and there was further cause for that country to rejoice. Kostadin Lengerov beat Ferenc Pázy in five games to book his place in the penultimate round where he will face Mihai Bobocica. In the top half of the draw Bernhard Presslmayer faces Kaii Yoshida, the third right handed penhold attacking player that he will have played in succession and judging by his efforts on Saturday 21st October 2006, it’s a style of play he rather likes! |
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