Vladimir Samsonov (second right) celebrates at the podium after defeating Dimitrij Ovtcharov (second left) in the men’s final of the ITTF World Tour Qatar Open yesterday. Right: Elizabeta Samara (second right) with winner’s trophy after defeating Han Ying (second left) in the women’s final of the ITTF World Tour Qatar Open yesterday. PICTURES: Jayaram
By Sahan Bidappa/Doha
It was in 1997, when Vladimir Samsonov first played at the Qatar Open. He had to be contend with the runner-up title back then. He finally won in Doha in 2003. Now at 38, Samsonov still carries that hunger and drive to succeed.
Yesterday, at the Qatar Women Sport Committee Hall, Samsonov turned back the clock as he won his second title at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour, Qatar Open.
The Belarusian fourth seed was up against top seed and 26-year-old Dimitrij Ovtcharov in the final but Samsonov proved too good for his younger opponent, winning 11-9, 11-8, 15-11, 6-11, 11-9. It was Samsonov’s 26th title in his 36th World Tour final and he has no intention of pulling the plug on his career.
“I am surprised to win here,” said Samsonov, still coming to terms with the victory, which made him richer by US$ 26,000.
“I have been playing well but against young players it was always going to be tough. Last year, I lost in the Last 16, but with Chinese not present this time, perhaps it was little easier,” he added.
Samsonov used all his experience as he straightaway put pressure on Ovtcharov. He made less unforced errors, forcing Ovtcharov to commit mistakes instead. As the top seed went on offensive with his blazing forehand, Samsonov stood like a rock retrieving everything that came his way.
After winning the first three sets, Ovtcharov pulled one back. However, the seasoned Samsonov kept his nerves to clinch the fifth game and held his arms aloft in celebration.
“I love playing in Doha. I am not going to stop playing yet. There are still some goals I have set to achieve. And I also want to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics Games,” Samsonov said.
In the semi-finals held in the morning, he had got past Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan, the no.2 seed, 13-11, 14-12, 11-5, 11-7, while Ovtcharov accounted for Portugal’s Marcos Freitas, the no.3 seed, 11-2, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8.
The women’s title was clinched by Romania’s Elizabeta Samara as she hardly put a foot wrong against Germany’s Han Ying in the final. The Romanian won in straight game 11-6, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9.
It was Samara’s third World Tour title, having won previously in Brazil and Czech Republic and said she had not expected to win the in Doha.
“I wouldn’t say I am surprised that I won, because I have been playing well recently. But coming here I didn’t have much expectations so I am really happy I have won,” said Samara, who has won two junior title at the Qatar Open.
The No. 7 seed Samara was in top form on the day, she had earlier in the semis beat 10th seed Korea’s Yang Haeun in five games 11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5. But it was Ying who had grabbed the limelight in the morning, after the third seed shocked top seed Feng Tianwei of Singapore.
The duel went on for 75 minutes and Ying, who had lost the first two games, saved two match points in the deciding seventh game before eventually winning by minimal two point margin 6-11, 8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7, 5-11, 12.
It was the third time that Ying and Tianwei had met in a World ranking event and on both previous occasions the verdict had gone in favour of the German; it went the same way again.
