2006 US Open HomepageJuly 5-8 Charlotte, NC[Charlotte Weather]
US Open Men’s Singles Quarter-finals
Friday, July 07, 2006, 7 pm
Spectator’s Delight!
A large crowd got to see four very exciting and well-played quarterfinal matches. Eight players with eight very different playing styles made for a “Spectator’s Delight”.
Pradeeban Peter-Paul (CAN) vs Sharath Kamal Achanta (IND)
This was a match up of two members of their respective national teams. Both players play a very wide ranging, physical, all-round attacking game. The result was a display of every type of shot, even some off-the-floor, long range chops by Kamal. In the end, Kamal had a little more forehand power and a great reverse forehand serve, and that made the difference in the match. Despite some great topspin rallies, Kamal overpowers Peter-Paul in straight games, 8,7,6,8. Many in the audience are beginning to feel that Kamal may be able to win the title.
Aleksandar Karakasevic (YUG) vs Stefan Feth (GER)
Both of these players compete a lot in the US and both are very popular with the crowd. The first game tells the story of the whole match. It quickly becomes a battle of Feth’s short game and 3rd ball attack against the more powerful strokes of Karakasevic. Stefan seems to be in real trouble once a counter-looping rally takes place as Karakasevic over-powers him time and time again. The key to this match for Stefan was to keep the score close. He was able to do this is the first and third games and Karakasevic played a little tighter not opening with full power. When Stefan lost the third game after having three game points, Karakasevic relaxed and opened-up with amazing shots in the forth. Match to Karakasevic 9, 4, 12, 8. It is clear that Karakasevic is playing very well and is very focused on regaining the title he held in 2003.
Soumy Adeep Roy (IND) vs Thomas Keinath (GER)
This would be the upset of the round and perhaps the tournament as India’s Roy defeated the #2 seeded Keinath. In the early stages of the match, Roy had the edge in forehand to forehand loop rallies while Thomas was winning many points with his opening backhand loop. The first game was tight all the way with Keinath making a couple of errors at the end to lose 11-9. The second game was all Roy’s as he began to hit through Thomas’s backhand loops and kept winning the forehand loop exchanges. He won the game 11-5 to take a 2-0 lead. Game three saw a complete reversal of fortune with Keinath finding his range and Roy becoming visibly frustrated. Game three to Keinath at 11-5. Game four was a strange game. Both players looked nervous and made a number of errors. However, Roy made fewer and won at 11-5. Game five finds Keinath back in form and scoring again with strong backhand loops. Game to Thomas at 11-5. Game six was tight all the way with neither player having more than a two point lead. At 9-all, Keinath missed his trademark backhand loop and then Roy hit in a brave forehand loop third-ball attack to take the game and match, 11-9.
Kostadin Lengerov (AUT) vs Wilson Peng Zhang (CAN)
This was to be the best played match of the quarter-finals. From the outset, it was a battle of Lengerov’s power and great backhand loop-off the bounce against the quickness and shot making of Zhang. In the first game, Lengerov looked like he might not be able to deal with the quickness of Zhang. Wilson was almost always the first to attack and won the game easily at 11-6. At the beginning of the second game, Lengerov came out determined to loop first and took more risks on the serve return. He also scored many points with backhand loops down the line. Game to Lengerov 11-4. Lengerov continued game three right where he left off the previous game. Scoring over and over again with amazing backhand counter-loops off Wilson’s strong opening loops, he ran out the game at 11-5. At this point, it looked like Lengerov might have Wilson’s number. However, Wilson had other ideas. At the start of game, Wilson took his game and speed to another level and again time pressured Lengerov into making errors. Game four to Wilson at 11-7. With the games tied at 2-2, game five would prove to be the pivotal game. From the beginning of the game, both players were fighting hard to open first. Neither player could gain more than a one point lead and the score reached 10-all. A great short serve gave Wilson a 11-10 lead and then Lengerov missed a routine forehand loop. Game to Wilson at 12-10. After pulling out that close game, Wilson was not to be deigned, and quickly ran out game six 11-3 to take the match. Both players received a great ovation for their outstanding play.
Semi-final Showdown!
The stage is set for the semi-finals tomorrow at 5pm.
Aleksandar Karakasevic vs Sharath Ramal Achanta
Karakasevic is the highest ranked player in the event at World #44. He is known as a brilliant shot-maker who when on his game can defeat anyone. His opponent, Achanta is India’s #1 and is coming off a great last couple of months. He recently won the Men’s Singles Title at the Commonwealth Games and in the last month reached the semi-finals and quarter-finals of ITTF Pro-Tour Events. Both player have been impressive so far and this is shaping up to be a real battle.
Wilson Zhang vs Soumy Adeep Roy
Can Roy pull-off upset #2? Wilson is sure to have other ideas. Both players are quick and have shown great heart. This should be a real entertaining match.
More Results to Come!
Women's Round of Eight
by Dave Fullen
In a city with a major parkway named for Billy Graham, it's easy to find religion in Charlotte. For me, this week anyway, I'm feeling the spirit of women's singles moving on the corner of College and East 3rd, as the 16 have become the chosen eight, on their journey to become the Anointed One.
Wang Chen, Judy Hugh, Whitney Ping, Poulomi Ghatak, Lily Yip, Fabiola Ramos, Nan Li and Mo Zhang meet tonight beginning at 6:45 and 7:30 to continue the quest.
Some highlights along the way:
Wang Chen/Atha Fong
Wang Chen had little trouble with Fong, winning 3, 8, 3, 3. Chen, rated 2604, is the top seed in Womenís Singles. She ís world #57, but was once ranked #4. Atha Fong is an up and coming player from California, and is a member of the 2006 U.S. National Girls Junior Team.
Judy Hugh/Marina Shumakova
Judy Hugh's unflappable attitude and consistently effective looping game makes her tough to beat. She dropped on game to Shumakova, the #1 player in Kazakhstan, ranked world 450 (Shumakova has moved up more than 100 places in last four months). Match to Hugh: 6, 8, 7, -7, 6.
Whitney Ping/Barbara Wei
Whitney Ping, world 407, North American #12 likes mid-distance playing. She was a member of the 2004 US Olympic Team and currently plays for Stanford University. Barbara Wei was U.S. #2 Under 16 Girls, #3 Under 18 Girls and a member of the USA Cadet Team, 2002-2004. Ping won the match: 11, 6, 4, 4.
Brana Vlasic/Poulomi Ghatak
Poulomi Ghatak is World 207 with a rating of 2134. Brana Vlasic is USATT July/Aug 2006 #1 U-16 Girls, 2006 San Diego Open Juniors and U-22 Women's Runner-up. Vlasic gave Ghatak a tough match with strong loops on both wings, but Ghatak responded in kind, winning 6, -7, 2, 7, -9, 4.
LilyYip/Bella Livshin
Lily Yip has been a member of the US National team for most of the past fifteen years and is a two-time Olympian.
Bella Livshin from California was no match for Lily's fast-blocking/quick hitting style, losing: 7,4,5,3.
Qi Tang/Fabiola Ramos
Qi Tang has been a surprise in this Open. Rated 1932 from Canada, she's played consistently well. She continued that play against Fabiola Ramos, taking Ramos to 7 games with big forehand loops.
Fabiola Ramos is the #1 woman from Venezuela. One web page states: "However, against Fabiola Ramos you are always under pressure; the Venezuelan makes few mistakes, the control she exerts is superb, she is experienced; she knows when to spin the ball and when to play fast."
Ramos and Tang trade games 1-4, splitting them two apiece. Then Tang goes ahead to take game 5. Ramos takes the next two, winning game 7, 11-3.
Nan Li/Charlene Liu
Nan Li had little trouble with Charlene Liu, a 2097 player from Maryland. Liu is no shrinking violet, but Nan Li is rated 2433 and has a wealth of championship experience as a junior, and a Chinese world champion lineage from both parents.
Match to Li: 3, 2, 8, 5.
Kyna Fong/Mo Zhang
Kyna Fong is rated 2147 from California. She put up a good fight, but couldn't match Mo Zhang's quick and powerful loops. Zhang is the 2006 TMS Canada Cup #1 - Women's Singles Champion, and was rated 2419 at age 17.
Match to Zhang: 6, 3, 6, 2.
The women play again tonight at 6:45 and 7:30 to whittle down to 4.
First Family Females Win Women's Doubles in Five
by Dave Fullen
A few months ago I wrote about the first family in American table tennis. Today the female half of the Yip/Dattell/Hugh family prevailed over India in five games to win Women's Doubles at this year's US Open.
The Indian team of Poulomi Ghatak and Kasturi Chakroborty were no match for mom Lily Yip and daughter Judy Hugh.
Early in game 1 Lily would quick block to set up Judy's loop. Ghatak of India had one good kill, but Yip/Hugh led
all the way to win game 1, 11-8
In game 2 Lily started looping. At 6-5 (Yip/Hugh) Lily said, "Let's control them" then proceeded to give up the next point. Ghatak ripped a forehand to pull India away at 8-7. Hugh looped and Ghatak missed the counter loop to go
behind 8-9, but tied it up at 9 and pulled away 10-9 when Lily netted a serve. India finally won when Judy Hugh
missed a loop. Game 2 to India, 13-11.
In game 3, down 7-5 Yip/Hugh went on a tear. Lily had four winners in a row, then put the game away at 11-7.
Game 4 begins with Ghatak ripping a forehand. Lily and Judy combine for a double winner - Lily pounces first, then
Judy puts away a weak return to lead 7-3. Hugh loops a backhand down the line to make it 9-4. A Yip winner makes it
10-4. Ghatak tries to mount a comeback to pull to 5, but it's Yip/Hugh, 11-6.
Match and title to Lily Yip and Judy Hugh: 8, -11, 7, 6.
It's India Over Guatemala in Women's Doubles - Next Up USA
by Dave Fullen
It was closer than it looks on paper. The women's team from Guatemala took the team from India to deuce in the first three games. Edelwais Chajchalac and Andrea Estrada led by as much as 8-4 in game 1 and 9-4 in game 3, but each time it got to deuce India's team of Poulomi Ghatak and Kasturi Chakroborty would reach into their bag of tricks and pull out a streak of points. Finally, in game 4 India had enough of deuce games and finished the match 11-3. After the match I asked Poulomi Ghatak if the match was ever in doubt. She said, "We went 4-0. That's all that matters."
Guatemala was much more impressive than the 2300-rating point gap suggested, but in the end Poulomi Ghatak's ripping backhand and forehand sealed the deal India meets the American mother-daughter team of Lily Yip and Judy Hugh in the final, scheduled by 4:30 today. India over Guatemala: 11, 10, 10, 3.
US Open Men’s Singles – 8’s
Friday, July 07, 2006 – 1pm
By: Richard McAfee
Play is Heating Up in Charlotte!
With all the top 16 players competing against each other, this round was very competitive. For the first time the spectators were able to see the top seeded players going all out and displaying true World-class skills.
Alekandar Karakasevic (YUG) vs Subhajit Saha (IND)
The number #1 seeded Karakasevic started off like he would make quick work of Saha, taking the first three games at 8,7,9. He was able to absorb the quick attacks of Saha and score at will with strong backhand crosscourt loops. Perhaps it was a little too easy, at he went a little too soft and lost the next two games at -4,-9. Great players have the ability to raise their levels and Karakasevic is a great player. In game six, he completely shut out Saha by tightening his serve and receive game and opening with very strong loops. The final point was won with a beautiful inside-out, down the line forehand loop. Game and match to Alekandar 11-3.
Stefan Feth (GER) vs Shen Qiang (CAN)
Qiang is the top junior in North America and made a number of amazing shots this match. However, he never really could get started against the strong short game of Feth and his strong opening loops. Stefan played a technically perfect match and won in straight games 8,7,6,6.
Photo By Tom Nguyen - North American Table Tennis
Pradeeban Peter-Paul (CAN) vs Omar Flores (GUA)
This was an entertaining match between two athletes that reloop from every corner of the court. There were lots of great looping rallies but Peter-Paul won most of them and the match at 9,1,8,8.
Sasa Drinic (USA) vs Sharath Kamal Achanta (IND)
Sasa is a very experienced and tough opponent but Kamal simply had more power than Sasa could handle. Sasa could work his way into the points well, but time and time again, Kamal’s power took its tool. Match in straight games to Achanta, 8,5,5,6. Kamal has been on a roll the last couple of months, winning the Commonwealth Games and reaching the semifinals and quarterfinals of the last two ITTF Pro-Tour Events.
Photo By Tom Nguyen - North American Table Tennis
Kostadin Lengerov (AUT) vs Jens Lang (GER)
Both Lang and Lengerov are typical European Loopers with good serves and strong attacks from both sides. Lengerov is very experience at the World Level but has been hampered this year with knee problems. However, he showed no signs of injury as he dominated his opponent from the backhand side and won in straight games, 5,7,13,12.
Wilson Peng Zhang (CAN) vs Eric Owens (USA)
Wilson is the #1 rated Canadian Play and showed why this match. He blends power and quickness together into a very dynamic style of play. Eric, who just graduated from college looked both a little rusty and a step slow this match. However, it is not in Eric’s personally not to fight hard to the end. Match to Wilson, 2,4,8,8.
Soumy Adeep Roy (IND) vs David Jiachen Wang (USA)
Roy, who is a member of India’s National Team, plays a quick over the table backhand counter and strong forehand loop game. While David was able to take one game, Roy was simply better in every department of the game. Match to Roy, 7,5,6,-9,8.
Thomas Keinath (GER) vs Jose Miquel Ramirez-Martin (GUA)
The best description that one can give of Keinath’s game is that he is a never-ending looping machine. Thomas just keeps coming at his opponent not only with strong topspins from both sides but also with the great heart of a champion. Jose fought well but Thomas had two many weapons. Math to Keinath, 6,9,7,-3,10.
We are now down to the final 8 players and the Quarter-Finals will start at 4pm. today.
Quarter-Final Match-ups:
Karakasevic vs Feth
Peter-Paul vs Achanta
Lengerov vs Zhang
Roy vs Keinath
MORE TO COME!!!!!
Boys 13 and Under Singles
Quarterfinals
AJ Brewer d Alex Greene - 2,4,1
Ivan Marcelo Arcos d Kevin Yan - 14,10,-6,-9,10
Alexander Yao d Vikash Sahu - 3,4,3
Yijun Feng d Ilya Moundous -3,13,8,-4,7
Semifinals
AJ Brewer d Ivan Marcelo Arcos - 1,2,2
Yijun Feng d Alexander Yao - 10,-4,7,10
Final
AJ Brewer d Yijun Feng - 8,7,5
Photo By Tom Nguyen - North American Table Tennis
Under 2200 RR
Quarterfinals
Mark Nordby d Michael Mast - 8,6,8
Atha Fong d Pedro Perez - 11,12,10
Preston Chin d Trieu Chieu - 3,-6, 8,8
Bryan Michaud d David Sakai - 1,7,7
Semifinals
Mark Nordby d Atha Fong - 5,8,9
Bryan Michaud d Preston Chin - 6,-9,10,-15,6
Finals
Bryand Michaud d Mark Nordby - -8,11,5,-7,2
Over 60 Doubles
Semifinals
Richard Hicks & Dell Sweeris d Raymond Filz & Gerard Schreuders - 2,3,3
Bill Ukapatayasakul & Bill Ryan d Jack Howard & Tim Boggan - 7,1,10
Finals
Richard Hicks & Dell Sweeris d Bill Ukapatayasakul & Bill Ryan - -9,8,-7,3,9
Under 21 Men's Singles
Quarterfinals
Santiago Cordova d Amaresh Sahu - Default
Ling-Kun Yang d John Leach - 10,4,-8,-9,-8,5
Misha Kazantsev d Jorge Mino Puga - 4,-10,-9,7,5,6
Joseph Cochran d Trevor Runyan - -8,7,-6,9,2,9
Semifinals
Santiago Cordova d Ling-Kun Yang - -7,-6,-7,13,8,5,4
Misha Kazantsev d Joseph Cochran - 8,10,9,3
Finals
Misha Kazantsev d Santiago Cordova - -9,7,7,6,-10,3
Photo by Wendy Troy - North American Table Tennis
Over 80 RR
1st: Arthur Chase
2nd: Willey Butler
Women's Doubles
Finals
Judy Hugh & Lily Yip d Katsuri Chakroborty & Poulomi Ghatak - 11,10,10,3
Under 21 Women's Singles
Quarterfinals
Zhang Mo d Barbara Wei - 8,4,8,8
Brana Vlasic d Marie Andree Levesque - -6,7,-11,4,-8,7
Whitney Ping d Olena Sowers - 8,-11,5,10,5
Cynthia Paulin d Jenny Lee Michaud - 2,1,0,5
Semifinals
Zhang Mo d Brana Vlasic - 4,8,2,9
Whitney Ping d Cynthia Paulin - 6,7,-8,3,4
Finals
Zhang Mo d Whitney Ping - 5,-10,-8,-10,3,8,8
Under 1000
Semifinals
Jonathan Yu d Chelsea Elston - 9,4,8
Wesley Chang d Junior Estoesta - 7,4,6
Finals
Jonathan Yu d Wesley Chang - 8,-8,5,7
Under 1200 RR
Semifinals
Christopher Brewer d Ben Swislow - -9,-13,7,7,5
Jennifer Weng d Albert Chieu - 7,11,7
Finals
Jennifer Weng d Christopher Brewer - -8,3,9,7
Under 1600 RR
Quarterfinals
Edison Dy d Mike Sturtevant - -3,7,8,-10,4
Jonathan Mast d John DeCicco Jr - 8,9,-5,6
Kevin Yan d Sherman Chui - 2,7,5
Charles Olayinka d Stuart Caplin - 13,5,-9,8
Semifinals
Edison Dy d Jonathan Mast - -7,2,5,13
Kevin Yan d Charles Olayinka - 4,9,6
Finals
Kevin Yan d Edison Dy - 5,7,-5,3
Boys' 11 and Under Singles
Quarterfinals
Alexander Yao d Austin Elston - 3,3,7
Christopher Brewer d Jack Allen - 5,4,9
Charles Deng d Seth Pech - -10,13,9,-9,5
Yijun Feng d Max Guo - 4,3,3
Semifinals
Alexander Yao d Christopher Brewer - 1,6,5
Yijun Feng d Charles Deng - 6,8,8
Finals
Yijun Feng d Alexander Yao - 5,10,-9,-5,4
Girls 11 and Under Singles
Semifinals
Ariel Hsing d Natalia Snigurskaya - 10,6,6
Sophia Mondous d Annie Guo - Default
Finals
Ariel Hsing d Sophia Moundous - 3,5,1
Men's Over 40 Singles
Quarterfinals
Barry Dattel d David Sakai - 7,5,2
Christophe Teille d Michael Levene - 6,7,9
Herbert Neubauer d Kazuhiro Kamada - 6,5,7
Ramakrishna Kodimala d George Braithwaite - -8,9,3,10
Semifinals
Christophe Teille d Barry Dattel - -5,6,-10,8,9
Herbert Neubauer d Ramakrishna Kodimala - 7,5,6
Finals
Christophe Teille d Herbert Neubauer - 6,8,8
Over 40 Doubles
Semifinals
Lim Ming Chui & Barry Dattel d Tom Miller & John Pahl - 2,3,4
Richard Hicks & Henry McCoullum d Chris Miller & Mike Butts - 4,8,8
Finals
Lim Ming Chui & Barry Dattel d Richard Hicks & Henry McCoullum - 8,-5,4,6
Women's Over 50 Singles
Semifinals
Charlene Liu d Suzanna Sanders - 4,7,3
Bella Livshin d Terri Lee Bell - 9,5,8
Finals
Bella Livshin d Charlene Liu - -8,12,9,0
