Samsonov wins Kuwait Open

Monday, March 17, 2008

Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus, the number five seed, maintained his perfect record on the ITTF Pro Tour in 2008 when he won the Men’s Singles title at the Salwa Cup Kuwait Open beating sixth seed, China’s Chen Qi in the final.

In January he had won at the Slovenian Open in Gorenje; on Sunday 16th March 2008 in the Qadisya Sports Hall in Kuwait City he emerged successful in the second ITTF Pro Tour tournament of the current year. He beat the defending champion, China’s Ma Long at the semi-final stage before ousting Chen Qi in straight games to secure the top prize.

Defeat for China in the Men’s Singles final but not in the remaining three events contested on Sunday 16th March 2008.

Top seed, Zhang Yining clinched the Women’s Singles crown overcoming colleagues Wang Nan and Li Xiaoxia at the respective semi-final and final stages.

The reigning Olympic Women’s Singles champion, Zhang Yining emerged as the most successful player in the tournament; in the first final of the afternoon she partnered Wang Nan to Women’s Doubles gold. The pair defeated Singapore’s Li Jia Wei and Sun Bei Bei to secure the prestigious crown.

Silver for Chen Qi in the Men’s Singles event and it was the same scenario in the Men’s Doubles competition for the talented Chinese left hander. Partnering Zhang Jike the pair suffered at the hands of top seeds, Ma Lin and Wang Hao.

Men’s Singles
SF Vladimir Samsonov (BLR) bt Ma Long (CHN) 7-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8
SF Chen Qi (CHN) bt Yoon Jae Young (KOR) 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 11-2, 10-12, 15-17, 11-9
F Vladimir Samsonov (BLR) bt Ma Long (CHN) 12-10, 14-12, 11-7, 11-4

Women’s Singles
SF Zhang Yining (CHN) bt Wang Nan (CHN) 11-9, 11-2, 11-6, 11-1
SF Li Xiaoxia (CHN) bt Guo Yue (CHN) 11-6, 7-11, 11-2, 12-10, 11-8
F Zhang Yining (CHN) by Li Xiaoxia (CHN) 16-14, 11-4, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8

Men’s Doubles
F Ma Lin/Wang Hao (CHN) bt Chen Qi/Zhang Jike (CHN) 11-6, 11-9, 12-10, 11-7

Women’s Doubles
F Wang Nan/Zhang Yining (CHN) bt Li Jia Wei/Sun Bei Bei (SIN) 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 14-16, 11-4, 11-3

Related Articles

• Spanish Open: Oh Sang Eun Beats Local Hero
• Polish Open: Lee Sang Su Overcomes Alexander Shibaev
• German Open: Zhang Jike Proves Unbeatable
• UAE Open: Four Titles for Fourth Time for China
• China Supreme in Qatar
• English Open: China Totally Dominant
• Slovenian Open: New Generation Strikes Gold in Velenje
• Jun Mizutani Captures KAL Cup Pro Tour Grand Finals Men’s Singles Crown
• Polish Open: Winners Secure Passports to Grand Finals
• Austrian Open: Sensational 24-year old Apolonia defeats Boll in final

← View all Articles