It’s October, which means it is that time of the year again. You may think fall, or football season, or the beginning of the NBA season. Yes, those are all correct but you may not think about some of the great international sports out there right now so this week we will be breaking down all of the action at the Table Tennis Challenger Series at the Hotel Mohren in Oberstdorf, Germany. I think I spelled that correctly but if I did not, my apologies. Let’s talk some matches.
Koyo Kanamitsu (JPN) vs. Petr David (CZE)
Great start to the Tuesday matches here as we see world no. 7 pitted against world no. 4. A real battle in the trenches to be had with this match and here is how I see it playing out. We all know David is a terrific game manager but Kanamitsu is his worst nightmare. Strong serves and an absolute table general when it comes to defending the side. David has been hot lately but Kanamitsu seems to have himself more mentally in tune. David had some shaky moments in his first round match against Michal Benes getting down early while looking like an upset was brewing. He recovered nicely taking the second set and never looked back but it is a new day and a new opponent. This match will be close early with David ultimately taking the first but Kanamitsu will break David in the second with his agility off the serve and quick feet. Take Kanamitsu here -190.
Jakub Kosowski (POL) vs. Jiri Vrablik (CZE)
Another great match here but this one will be more smash mouth than the first featured match. This is hands down one of the better rivalries in the sport. Tough, rugged, wear-you-down type of styles between these two powerhouses. Vrablik coasted through the opening round overpowering each of his opponents while Kosowski had a bit of trouble with Jakub Folwarski as he dropped the first set outright but rebounded by taking the next three. This matchup is all about who overpowers the other. Both competitors will throw everything they have into this one as history shows. Hopefully Vrablik and his team can remain calm and collected while absorbing the many chirps Kosowski will try to throw at him. If that happens, look for Vrablik to take it in 4 but that’s no guarantee. If tempers begin to flare, all bets are off. Go with the gut here, some great defense. UNDER 67.5.
Tomasz Tomaszuk (POL) vs. Florian Bluhm (GER)
A battle between the young studs in this one as Bluhm will face off against highly touted Tomaszuk who is straight out of mini camp after battling a non-contact elbow injury for 2 months but looks dominant early in the tournament with zero setbacks. Let’s face the facts here, Tomaszuk is an absolute genius on the table. He has a gifted ability to find his opponents weak spot early in the match and toy him until he ultimately breaks his mental composure. Bluhm has a sweet spot on his backhands, which will greatly help him in this one, but I’m just not sure it will be enough. Look for the first two sets to be split and Tomaszuk eventually pulling away. It will be a high scoring affair with both defensive strategies looking weaker than usual for these two. A BIG 12 game will break out here so take the OVER at 74.5.
Take a note
-Doorman
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