Tournaments

02 Feb 2019

Look at the draw, if there is one player you do not wish to meet, that is the name which appears out of the hat; such was the situation for Hungary’s Georgina Pota in the opening round of the women’s event at the CCB 2019 Europe Top 16 Cup in the Swiss city of Montreux on Saturday 2nd February.

The name drawn was that of Luxembourg’s Ni Xia Lian, one of the most successful players in the history of the tournament.

by Ian Marshall, Editor

Status suggested success for Georgina Pota, she occupied the no.7 seeded position as opposed to her vastly experienced 55 year old adversary who was the no.10 seed; status was verified Georgina Pota won in four straight games (11-2, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7).

Impressive most certainly against the close to the table pen-hold blocking style of Ni Xia Lian; a technique no longer promoted. At the end of the contest it was a tearful and emotional Georgina Pota who had excelled her own personal expectations.

“She beat me like a million times before; when I saw the draw yesterday I was so afraid. In previous matches I had no chance. It is so difficult to play against her. You cannot prepare for her strokes because there are no players in Europe with that style, with whom you can practice.” Georgina Pota

At the quarter-final stage, Georgina Pota meets either Li Jie of the Netherlands or Poland’s Natalia Partyka.

Meanwhile, just as one three time champion was bidding farewell, in the men’s event a four times winner was progressing. Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the no.3 seed, beat Ukraine’s Kou Lei, the no.15 seed, in straight games success (11-2, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6).

“I was well prepared. I am very happy with my performance, since it is the first match at the tournament. I do not think Kou was on the top of his game.” Dimitrij Ovtcharov

In the round of the last eight, Dimitrij Ovtcharov meets Denmark’s Jonathan Groth.

2019 Europe Top 16 Cup Dimitrij Ovtcharov Georgina Pota Kou Lei Ni Xia Lian
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Day 2 - China Construction Bank 2019 ITTF-Europe Top 16 Cup