AUSTRIANS DOMINATE ITALIAN OPEN
Austrians Christoph Krenn and Kerstin Peckl win the first ever Italian Open (23. - 25.4) in Milano. Together with Johannes Schubert and Lieselot De Bleeckere they also both win the Men and Women Doubles title. Peter Sakovics once again won the Seniors (+45) draw. The Challenger was a big success with nearly 140 participants and Tournament Director Gianpaolo Martire has big plans for 2011: "We want a Super World Tour or even one of the World Champs." All results are now online on resultreporter.com
Krenn wins record prize money
Six Swedes versus 2 Austrians in the Men Elite quarterfinals, but the two Austrians are on top of the podium at the end. World number one Christoph Krenn wins his personal record prize money at Italian Open: 800€ for his victory in men singles, 150€ for men doubles and 100€ cost expenses. In the final he beat countryman Joey Schubert, after being defeated in the last two encounters. The surprise of the tournament came in the quarterfinal where Mats Källberg beat World number two Stefan Adamsson after an outstanding Badminton set with 21:14. In the semis though Schubert showed Källberg how to play Badminton and outclassed the Swedish Tabletennis specialist with 21:7 to make his way to victory. Unseeded Källberg took Bronze in the end by beating Hakansson in the Play-Off. Men Doubles also went to Krenn together with Schubert in the final over Söderlund/Hakansson.
Peckl with second victory
In Women Elite number one seed Kerstin Peckl takes her second title of the year after Swedish Open. The only serious challenge seemed to be the Swedish number one in the final. After messing up the Tabletennis with 8:21, the match was nearly decided even a 21:2 in Badminton could not save the day. Tennisplayer Peckl played home her second international title with a safe 21:5 in Tennis. Third place in the all Latvian play-off went to Viktorija Smirnova. In Women Doubles Peckl took the title as well, this time with Lieselot de Bleeckere from Belgium. Andersson won her final in Mixed Doubles together with Stefan Adamsson.
De Bleeckere in 3 finals
Coming Junior is from Belgium. Pieter de Bleeckere did not only win the u16 draw by beating Alessandro dal Pra in the final, he also made his way to the u21 final, where he lost to Italian local matador David Castracane and in addition won the Men D draw against u21 junior Silvia Scarfo. Bronze went to the Italian newcomers Gianni Toniolo (u16) and Silvia Scarfo (u21). Another Italian victory took place in Women B, where Ilaria Pedroni beat Maureen Thompson in the final.
First ever medal for Iraq
Nothing new in the Seniors (+45) competition, where World number one Peter Sakovics takes and easy victory with Swede Janne Elmhag in the final. The first ever international Racketlon medal for Iraq was taken by Ahmad Bahadli as Third. Seniors (+45) Doubles also went to Sakovics with Ollary and in Men B the Hungarian Sakovics makes the triple perfect by beating Swiss Michael Wagner in the final. In Men B Doubles it was a victory with French participation of Junillon and swedishman Pimmeshofer.
World Champs 2011?
The highlight of the tournament was TV presence and the players party directly in the top club Milan 3 together with a variety of especially female fans, who were especially delighted to dance with shooting star Joey Schubert. The players were overwhelmed by the modern club and the four star hotel only five minutes walking distance away “I will come back for sure†said winner Christoph Krenn, who felt like a real star for the weekend signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. Next year the tournament will be upgraded by FIR to become a World Tour event promises FIR-President Marcel Weigl and thanks Tournament Director Gianpaolo Martire for his outstanding work. “That was just the beginning. Next year we want Super World Tour status or one of the World Champsâ€, says an exhausted but happy Martire.
All Results on www.resultreporter.com
FIRA Federation and Tournament Webpage
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