The opening singles match saw Hugo Calderano, fresh off his return, take on substitute Frederik Duda. Calderano was in complete control from the start, swiftly dispatching his opponent with a 3-0 victory (11:3, 11:5, 11:1), securing an early lead for Ochsenhausen.
Jha Extends Unbeaten Streak
The second match was a showdown between Simon Gauzy and Kanak Jha, with Jha looking to continue his unbeaten streak in the TTBL, having won six out of six matches so far. Despite a fierce battle from Gauzy, Jha once again showcased his mental fortitude in a gripping five-set encounter, clinching a hard-fought 3-2 victory (9:11, 11:7, 10:12, 11:9, 8:11) to level the match for Bergneustadt.
Rassenfosse Holds Off Togami in a Nail-Biter
The third singles match between Shunsuke Togami and Adrien Rassenfosse was another thriller. Rassenfosse narrowly won the first set 13:11, but Togami hit back to take the second 11:6. However, Rassenfosse regained control and claimed the next two sets 11:8, 11:8, giving Bergneustadt a 2-1 lead in the overall score.
Calderano Ends Jha’s Winning Run
In the crucial fourth match, Calderano faced the previously unbeaten Kanak Jha in what was billed as the top clash of the day. Jha took the first set 11:7, but Calderano quickly adjusted, winning the next three sets (11:6, 11:5, 11:4) in commanding fashion to level the tie at 2-2.
Doubles Decider Seals the Victory for Ochsenhausen
The decisive doubles match saw Simon Gauzy and Shunsuke Togami pair up for Ochsenhausen against Bergneustadt’s makeshift duo of Adrien Rassenfosse and Frederik Duda. Gauzy and Togami dominated from start to finish, sealing the match with a straight-set victory (11:3, 11:5, 11:2) and sending Ochsenhausen through to the quarter-finals.
Reactions
Adrien Rassenfosse, despite the defeat, remained positive:
It was a good fight from us. We gave everything we had, and considering the circumstances with some of our players out sick, we’re proud to have pushed such a strong team to the limit.
Hugo Calderano expressed his relief after the intense match:
It was a tough one today, but we fought hard, and I’m glad we came out on top. Every match was a battle, and I’m happy with how the team performed.
Match Overview:
TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen 3:2 TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt
Hugo Calderano def. Frederik Duda 3:0 (11:3, 11:5, 11:1)
Kanak Jha def. Simon Gauzy 3:2 (9:11, 11:7, 10:12, 11:9, 8:11)
Adrien Rassenfosse def. Shunsuke Togami 3:1 (13:11, 11:6, 11:8, 11:8)
Hugo Calderano def. Kanak Jha 3:1 (7:11, 11:6, 11:5, 11:4)
Simon Gauzy/Shunsuke Togami def. Adrien Rassenfosse/Frederik Duda 3:0 (11:3, 11:5, 11:2)