Being in amazing shape, the players from the international WSA-training group presented very well in the qualifying rounds of the Austrian Open at the WSA in Schwechat.

 

As many as seven players managed as group winners, advancing into the intermediate qualification round.

 

 

 

Joao Monteiro (Portugal), Mihai Bobocica (Italy), William Henzell (Australia), Mattis Burgis (Latvia) and the young Austrian Stefan Fegerl, Dominik Habesohn (after a sensational 4-2 over Hungary's number one Janos Jakab) and Martin Storf, who India's world-class man Achanta Sharat Kamal took out early from the tournament (4-3).

 

In the direct elimination for the main draw commencing on Friday, these stood tall: Joao Montiero (4:0 Ferenc Paszy), Mattis Burgis (4:3 against Slovak's Peter Sereda), Mihai Bobocica (4:1 Michal Obeslo).

 

A special trick of success came from young Austrian Martin Storf.  He was playing against the Romanian, Ovidiu Ionescu.  He lost the first three games, including two at 0:11!  He then completely turned the game around, winning sensationally at 4:3!

 

Friday will be a great grab of fun: Werner Schlager, Chen Weixing (SVS Niederösterreich), and Daniela Dodean, Li Qiangbing, Huang Yi-Hua and Fan Ying (all women's champions in the SVS Niederösterreich) will be in action.  And the Chinese superstars will be admired for the first time in the tournament.

 

Detailed information on the ITTF Pro Tour Austrian Open you can find at www.tt-austrianopen.com