DaveR
05-27-2008, 09:28 AM
http://www.ittf.com/stories/pictures/samsonov_25_05_08_Large.jpg
The television cameras rolled, the crowd applauded and Vladimir Samsonov delivered Photo By: Olga Leroy
Defeat in the final of the Men’s Team event at the hands of China’s Xu Xin but in the final of the Men’s Singles event at the Stag Belarus Open in Minsk there was to be no repeat of the happenings experienced two days earlier.
Vladimir Samsonov duly exerted his authority on proceedings, justified his top seeded position in the draw and gave the young pretender a lesson in control at the very highest levels.
It was a victory with moments of consternation for the crowd numbering over one thousand, Vladimir Samsonov was tested.
Xu Xin certainly gave the idol of Minsk food for thought and the spectators experienced some nervous moments on the edges of their seats.
Experience Told
However, at the vital times experience told and thirty-two year old Vladimir Samsonov duly prevailed.
He won11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8.
Eighteenth Win
The victory was his eighteenth Men’s Singles title on the ITTF Pro Tour since making his debut in 1996 at the Italian Open and for the total of successes you can add one more: he won the Men’s Singles title at the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals in 1997.
Consistency is the hallmark of his play, stylish seemingly with more time to play than most mortals but in 2008 he has been anything but consistent.
Victories
Born in Minsk, he started the year in outstanding form, he won the Men’s Singles title at the Slovenian Open in Velenje in January and then in March he was simply outstanding at the Salwa Cup Kuwait Open.
After struggling somewhat against Korea’s Kim Jung Hoon, he beat three of China’s superstars on his way to the title; Wang Hao, Ma Long and Chen Qi all suffered at the hands of the Belarus master.
Defeats
However, then matters took a downward turn.
The following week at the Erke Qatar Open he lost the talented Adrian Crisan of Romania, a player he had beaten en route to gold in Slovenia and then when he travelled across the Atlantic to Chile he was on the wrong end of the tournament’s biggest shock.
Round Two Reverse
He lost in the second round to Russia’s Igor Rubtsov, a powerful player who proved the master of Vladimir Samsonov in forehand counter topspin rallies and after the match confessed that he’d never even won a single game against the three times European champion in the past!
Perfect Day
However, on home soil it was back to form, victory over Xu Xin delighted the crowd; they went home happy and so did Vladimir Samsonov, a very successful and well organised tournament at ended with a home win.
Earlier in the afternoon Viktoria Pavlovich had won the Women’s Singles crown; it just could not have been better day for Belarus, a perfect ending to a perfect day.
http://www.ittf.com/stories/pictures/final_25_05_08.jpg
Nice Picture ...................Tables a bit special too !
The television cameras rolled, the crowd applauded and Vladimir Samsonov delivered Photo By: Olga Leroy
Defeat in the final of the Men’s Team event at the hands of China’s Xu Xin but in the final of the Men’s Singles event at the Stag Belarus Open in Minsk there was to be no repeat of the happenings experienced two days earlier.
Vladimir Samsonov duly exerted his authority on proceedings, justified his top seeded position in the draw and gave the young pretender a lesson in control at the very highest levels.
It was a victory with moments of consternation for the crowd numbering over one thousand, Vladimir Samsonov was tested.
Xu Xin certainly gave the idol of Minsk food for thought and the spectators experienced some nervous moments on the edges of their seats.
Experience Told
However, at the vital times experience told and thirty-two year old Vladimir Samsonov duly prevailed.
He won11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8.
Eighteenth Win
The victory was his eighteenth Men’s Singles title on the ITTF Pro Tour since making his debut in 1996 at the Italian Open and for the total of successes you can add one more: he won the Men’s Singles title at the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals in 1997.
Consistency is the hallmark of his play, stylish seemingly with more time to play than most mortals but in 2008 he has been anything but consistent.
Victories
Born in Minsk, he started the year in outstanding form, he won the Men’s Singles title at the Slovenian Open in Velenje in January and then in March he was simply outstanding at the Salwa Cup Kuwait Open.
After struggling somewhat against Korea’s Kim Jung Hoon, he beat three of China’s superstars on his way to the title; Wang Hao, Ma Long and Chen Qi all suffered at the hands of the Belarus master.
Defeats
However, then matters took a downward turn.
The following week at the Erke Qatar Open he lost the talented Adrian Crisan of Romania, a player he had beaten en route to gold in Slovenia and then when he travelled across the Atlantic to Chile he was on the wrong end of the tournament’s biggest shock.
Round Two Reverse
He lost in the second round to Russia’s Igor Rubtsov, a powerful player who proved the master of Vladimir Samsonov in forehand counter topspin rallies and after the match confessed that he’d never even won a single game against the three times European champion in the past!
Perfect Day
However, on home soil it was back to form, victory over Xu Xin delighted the crowd; they went home happy and so did Vladimir Samsonov, a very successful and well organised tournament at ended with a home win.
Earlier in the afternoon Viktoria Pavlovich had won the Women’s Singles crown; it just could not have been better day for Belarus, a perfect ending to a perfect day.
http://www.ittf.com/stories/pictures/final_25_05_08.jpg
Nice Picture ...................Tables a bit special too !