However, progress was not with moments of concern.

In the opening round, Gerrit Engemann had emerged the one player to cause an upset, he beat Nils Hohmeier, the no.8 seed (11-4, 11-5, 11-8, 11-5); at the quarter-final stage he did not repeat the success but he came close.

He extended Kanak Jha, the no.2 seed to six games (14-12, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 13-11).

“It was a very close match. I think every game was fought until the end. I hope that I will play better tomorrow than I did today.” Kanak Jha

Third meeting

Similarly, Qiu Dang, the no.3 seed, found Meng Fanbo, the no.6 seed, a most worthy adversary; just as with Kanak Jha, he needed six games to secure victory.

“I must say I’m a little tired. I am now playing the third tournament in a row but it is the same for everyone. I started very well, gained a 3-0 lead; then Fanbo stepped up, so I had to step on the gas again to get this match home.” Qiu Dang

A third appearance for Qiu Dang; moreover, there will be a third meeting with Dimitrij Ovtcharov; they draw swords in the semi-finals. In the first tournament, Qiu Dang beat Dimitrij Ovtcharov in the quarters (11-5, 15-17, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9); in the second when the confronted each other in the final, Dimitrij Ovtcharov extracted revenge (11-7, 11-2, 7-11, 11-6).

Impressive form

Furthermore, it would seem the odds favour Dimitrij Ovtcharov; he was most impressive in his quarter-final encounter with Tobias Hippler, the no.5 seed. A straight games verdict was the outcome (11-7, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8).

“Hippi kept up with to the middle of each game. In the end I still put a shovel on it. I actually felt good but against Hippi it is always difficult to develop a rhythm. I’m happy with my game.” Dimitrij Ovtcharov

Success for Dimitrij Ovtcharov in straight games, for Omar Assar, the no.3 seed, who now meets Kanak Jha, it was progress in one game more. He ended the hopes of Cédric Meissner, the no.7 seed (11-5, 10-12, 11-6, 11-7, 11-2).

“Cédric Meissner is a very strong player. I am very happy about my game and my performance. Let’s see what is possible tomorrow in the semi-finals. I wish Cédric and all the other young German players lots of fun at the next tournaments.” Omar Assar

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Results and Schedule

Cédric Meissner (7) bt Felix Köhler 7-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7
Omar Assar (3) bt An Duy Dang 11-3, 11-5, 11-6, 11-3
Meng Fanbo (6) bt Tobias Slanina 11-6, 11-3, 11-7, 12-10
Tobias Hippler (5) bt Kirill Fadeev 11-7, 11-5, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8
Qiu Dang (4) bt André Bertelsmeier 11-8, 11-5, 11-7, 11-8
Gerrit Engemann bt Nils Hohmeier (8) 11-4, 11-5, 11-8, 11-5

Quarter Finals
Dimitrij Ovtcharov (1) bt Tobias Hippler (5) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8
Qiu Dang (4) bt Meng Fanbo (6) 11-4, 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 8-11, 11-7
Omar Assar (3) bt Cédric Meissner (7) 11-5, 10-12, 11-6, 11-7, 11-2
Kanak Jha (2) bt Gerrit Engemann 14-12, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 13-11

10.00 Kanak Jha (2) v Omar Assar (3)
11.00 Dimitrij Ovtcharov (1) v Qoi Dang (4)
14.00 Final