The busiest player on duty and arguably the player in the best form was Steffen Mengel, the no.7 seed; required to play two matches, he ended the day without losing a single games.

After accounting for Kirill Fadeev (11-8, 12-10, 11-9, 11-9), he recorded a quarter-final success against Omar Assar, the no.2 seed (11-7, 11-6, 12-10, 11-9).

“From the outside, it looks a little bit clearer than it was in the match itself. Omar and I had never played against each other at an official tournament before, we only know each other from training. I knew he was a player with a very high level of ball control and that I had to move well. I’m glad that I did well today.” Steffen Mengel

Top seed departs

An impressive performance by Steffen Mengel against Omar Assar; one match earlier it had been the same from Bastian Steger, the no.6 seed. He ended the hopes of Kanak Jha, the top seed (5-11, 11-5, 13-11, 11-8, 11-4).

“It was actually a bit surprising for me to win 4-1; I had thought it would be a very close match, because Kanak plays at a very high level. I am quite satisfied with my performance today.” Bastian Steger

Seven games needed

Upsets, in the remaining encounters, the outcomes were as status advised but for Benedikt Duda there were moments of concern.

A direct entry to the quarter-finals, the no.3 seed, he needed the full seven games to halt the progress of 21 year old Tobias Hippler (4-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8).

“Tobi played very well, very aggressively. I was surprised. He played many good points. I also gave myself a hard time when I missed two match points unnecessarily in the fifth game. Tobi then fought back well and from then on it was a close match. I’m glad that I won.” Benedikt Duda

Repeat win

Exacting times for Benedikt Duda, for Qiu Dang, the no.4 seed, life was less trying; he overcame Meng Fanbo in five games (11-8, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9) and thus repeated the success of the previous week when they had met at the same stage (11-4, 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 8-11, 11-7).

“This is now my fourth tournament. I have slowly found my rhythm and got used to the conditions. Fanbo and I already played against each other last week. We don’t have much to hide, we are in the same training group. I’m happy that I won the game.” Qiu Dang

The semi-finals and finals will be staged on Thursday 25th June.

Live Broadcast

Schedule

09.30 Kanak Jha (1) bt Felix Köhler 11-8, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6
10.15 Meng Fanbo bt Alberto Miño (5) 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 11-9
11.00 Bastian Steger (6) bt Tobias Slanina 11-6, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8
11.45 Omar Assar (2) bt Nils Hohmeier 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7
12.30 Qiu Dang (4) bt Gerrit Engemann 11-9, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5
13.15 Tobias Hippler (8) bt Cédric Meissner 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9

09.00 Steffen Mengel (7) bt Kirill Fadeev 11-8, 12-10, 11-9, 11-9

10.15 Benedikt Duda (3) bt Tobias Hippler (8) 4-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8
11.10 Bastian Steger (6) bt Kanak Jha (1) 5-11, 11-5, 13-11, 11-8, 11-4
12.05 Steffen Mengel (7) bt Omar Assar (2) 11-7, 11-6, 12-10, 11-9
13.00 Qiu Dang (4) v Meng Fanbo 11-8, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9

10.00 Semi-Final: Bastian Steger (6) v Benedikt Duda (3)
11.00 Semi-Final: Qiu Dang (4) v Steffen Mengel (7)
14.00 Final