Vladimir SAMSONOV
SAMSONOV leading European elite in Beijing
17/02/2010 - The line-up for the first leg of the 2010 Europe-Asia All Stars Series in Beijing has been announced today. In Beijing on 13th -15th April the European team will present well known top-players who already felt the heat of the Continental clashes.
Like year before Timo BOLL will miss the Asian stage. The leading European will be Belarus Vladimir SAMSONOV ranked no. 6 in the world. SAMSONOV played at both Continental events last year. He beat JOO SE Hyuk (KOR) and also succeeded in the additional match against LI Ching (HKG) played in Istanbul last November.
Dane Michael MAZE ranked no. 8 in the world is also in the line-up. European Champion MAZE overcame CHUAN Chih Yuan (TPE) and CHEUNG Yuk (HKG) in Beijing, whilst he overcame LI Ching (HKG) in Turkey.
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany, world number 13, had important role in Beijing last year. Alongside MAZE, he also scored two points in the opening leg. OVTCHAROV succeeded against CHEUNG Yuk (HKG) and JOO See Yuk (KOR). He did not play in Istanbul.
World champion from Paris Werner SCHLAGER of Austria, ranked no. 16 will also play in Beijing. SCHLAGER played only in Istanbul last year and overcame LI Ching (HKG).
Another world champion from Chiba 1991, Jorgen PERSSON of Sweden, is still in European top. World's number 22 will play in Beijing like the year before.
Asia and Europe won one stage each in 2010. In Beijing Asia succeeded 6:4 on aggregate, whilst in Istanbul it was 6:5 for Europe.
The second leg of the 2010 All Stars Series Europe-Asia will be held in Belgium's Mons, on 12th and 13th October 2010.
(by Milica NIKOLIC, EWT)
Photo: Vladimir SAMSONOV
