Slovenia Open: Full House for China in Velenje
January 20, 2009

Hao Shuai the Men's Singles winner in Slovenia Photo By: Ursula Klajic

Courtesy of ITTF Chinese players captured all four titles on offer on the final day of play, Saturday January 17, 2009, at the Slovenian Open in Velenje. Hao Shuai won the Men’s Singles crown beating un-seeded compatriot Zhang Chao in the final, who had the tables been reversed, would had the distinction of being the first qualifier to capture an ITTF Pro Tour Men’s Singles title.

It was a brave effort by Zhang Chao and similarly it was a brave effort by Slovakia’s Michal Bardon; like Zhang Chao he had to compete in the qualification stage and also like Zhang Chao it was Hao Shuai who brought his progress to an end. Hao Shuai beat Michal Bardon in the semi-finals.

The most successful player on duty on the final day of action was Cao Zhen.

She won the Women’s Singles title beating Fan Ying in a hard fought final having earlier partnered her compatriot to success in the Women’s Doubles event. At the final hurdle the pair beat Korea’s Kim Kyung Ah and Viktoria Pavlovich of Belarus, the no.2 seeds.

Defeat in the final of the Men’s Singles event for Zhang Chao but success in the Men’s Doubles; partnering Xu Xin the pair beat Russian top seeds, Alexei Liventsov and Igor Rubtsov to secure gold.

Men’s Singles
Semi-Final: Zhang Chao (CHN) bt Xu Xin (CHN) 12-10, 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6
Semi-Final: Hao Shuai (CHN) bt Michal bardon (SVK) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7, 11-13, 11-6
Final: Hao Shuai (CHN) bt Zhang Chao (CHN) 11-2, 11-6, 7-11, 14-12, 11-6

Women’s Singles
Semi-Final: Cao Zhen (CHN) bt Liu Shiwen (CHN) 11-3, 11-9, 11-7, 11-3
Semi-Final: Fan Ying (CHN) bt Li Jiao (NED) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8
Final: Cao Zhen (CHN) bt Fan Ying (CHN) 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 11-13, 13-11, 11-6

Men’s Doubles
Final: Xu Xin, Zhang Chao (CHN) bt Alexei Smirnov/Igor Rubtsov (RUS) 11-9, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5

Women’s Doubles
Final: Cao Zhen/Fan Ying (CHN) bt Kim Kyung Ah/Viktoria Pavlovich (KOR/BLR) 11-7, 11-8, 11-5, 11-8