A new era dawns for Russia, the new era is 23 Kirill Skachkov.
In the quarter-final men’s contest at the Liebherr World Team Cup on Friday 4th November 2011, he caused a sensation in the German city of Magdeburg.
Kirill Skachkov beat Ma Lin, the reigning Olympic champion, in four games (11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6), before teaming with Fedor Kuzmin to win a sensational doubles contest against Ma Lin and Wang Hao (11-5, 6-11, 11-5, 5-11, 13-11).
The contests simply enthralled the spectators in Getec Arena; such was the enormity of the situation that the attention of the adoring crowd was turned away from the women’s contest involving Germany and Hong Kong to the classic that was unfolding.
Germans Become Russian A Moscow or St Petersburg crowd could not have given better support; the Germans in the crowd became Russian.
Whenever, China plays you expect the comeback; you expect them to win the close match. It has happened time and again. Against Kirill Skachkov and Fedor Kuzmin it did not happen.
Established Lead in Fourth Game Playing Ma Lin, Kirill Skachkov won the first two games; then he lost the third before racing into a 6-0 lead in the fourth.
Suddenly, throwing caution to the wind, Ma Lin mounted a recovery; thoughts crossed the mind of the young Russian that he had a chance to beat the Olympic champion. He had to fight Ma Lin and he had to fight himself.
Remained Positive Ebullient, letting his feelings be known, a marketing man’s dream, Kirill Skachkov kept mind and body together, he remained positive; he won, the crowd saluted.
Surely, a combination of the 2008 Olympic champion and the 2009 World champion would teach the Russian upstarts a lesson; not so.
Full Distance The contest went the full distance with the Chinese duo leading until their adversaries levelled at 9-all, they were never ahead again; on their third match point, Kirill Skachkov and Fedor Kuzmin converted.
Alas for Russia it was defeat; Alexey Smirnov was beaten by both Ma Long (11-5, 11-3, 11-7) and Wang Hao (11-7, 11-6, 11-7), with Ma Long bringing matters to a conclusion by overcoming Fedor Kuzmin (11-8, 11-7, 11-6).
Two Defeats for Ma Lin Success for China but it was two defeats for Ma Lin; at the Harmony China Open in August he had been beaten by Kirill Skachkov’s colleague, Alexey Liventsov; whilst more recently at the Swedish Open he had lost to Quentin Robinot of France.
In Magdeburg Kirill Skachkov poured more misery on the shoulders of the Olympic champion.
Korea Beats Belarus Success for the top seeds at the quarter-final stage of the Men’s Team event and it was the same for second seeds.
Korea beat Belarus by three matches to nil, with Vladimir Samsonov losing to Ryu Seung Min; a somewhat surprise defeat, Vladimir Samsonov has an outstanding record against the Korean.
Match Progress Joo Se Hyuk beat Pavel Platonov (9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4), before Ryu Seung Min accounted for Vladimir Samsonov (11-8, 12-10, 5-11, 11-8) and doubles success for the pairing of Oh Sang Eun and Ryu Seung Min brought matters to an end.
They accounted for Vitaly Nekhvedovich and Pavel Platonov in five games; they won 13-15, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9.
