Swiss success in Turkey
17. Mai 2016
Many First Timers at Turkish Open
Not only did the Winner Events Turkish Open see a couple of First Timeres an own E draw, but it also saw a couple of other first time victories and medals. Benjamin Hampl won his first international World Tour title to become the second ever Swiss winner on the FIR World Tour. Third placed Alexander Barbunopulos took his first international medal in an elite draw and his first victory in men doubles together with Hans Sherpa. For Marcel Weigl it was his first mixed doubles title in his career thanks to Lilian Druve, who also won the women singles draw in the first ever final of Dolunay Soykan. Seppo Raiski (+45), Mert Eran Halis (u16), Patrick Gredinger(u13) and Aynur Mutlu (Women B) all took their first victories on the FIR World Tour. The youngest first timer to participate in an World Tour event ever (u13), was the nearly 6-year-old Mattia Reich, son of Marcel Weigl. All results and winners are now online on tournamentsoftware.com.
Topseeded Hampl and Druve with victories
In a very close men elite semifinal Christian Schäfer injured himself in the match against Marcel Weigl and had to retire with a lead during the Squash set. The Swiss could not play for Bronze the next day either. The final between Hampl and Weigl was practically over after a 21-5 for the Swiss in Tabletennis, but the Austrian fought back in Badminton 21-19, but then lost Squash. With only 2 points needed only the sudden rain could have prevented Hamplsfirst victory, but fortunately the points could be played and the match ended. Lilian Druve played her victory home safe before, ending the final against Dolunay before the Tennis. Sister Anneli became third.
Men Doubles draw changed in last second
After a mistake in the seeding was spotted before the draw started them men doubles draw was re-drawn and the Austrian youngsters Alex Barbunopulos and Hans Sherpa took the one time chance for their first World Tour victory beating Emre Ak and Benjamin Hampl in the final. In mixed doubles Marcel Weigl made his first victory perfect with Lilian Druve! Years after he reached his first mixed doubles final with Austrian Uli Steinwender 2004 in Prague. The two beat the tournament organisers Soykan and Korer before the Tennis set.
Best wishes to unlucky newcomer Keskiner
The unluckiest player of the tournament was Seyfi Keskiner, who played his first Racketlon tournament in the men advanced draw. The young turk had great fun, but unfortunately broke his arm in the playoff match with KimmoPennanen, when he tripped during the tennis match and fell so unfortunately. "All of us wish him a fast recovery and a comeback soon", Weigl sends wishes in the name of all participants. The other Fin in Antalya Seppo Raiski won his first Seniors (+45) tournament, with a victory over Nedim Akilveren, the Turkish Racketlon president. Thanks to Mert ErenHalis and Aynur Mutlu, there were also two home victories to celebrate for the Turks. The closest final of the weekend was men b, where Hungarian Andras Nemeth needed 11 points in Tennis for gummiarm, but German Andreas Escherwas able to finish the match at 21-10. Newcomer Patrick Gredinger, a football player, won the u13 draw in a final against the hotel presidents son Uygar Dayioglu.
Only but one Non-European World Tour event
The participants from 7 countries including over 10 completely new Turkish players saw improved court conditions compared to last year. The light at Tabletennis and Badminton was adequate this time and the Squash centre court was grinded before the event and not slippery at all this time. The tennis hard courts are one of the best on the FIR World Tour anyhow. “Although the conditions were still not perfect, I appreciate very much the concept with all-inclusive drinks and food the whole weekend. They should do that at other tournaments too”, says winner Hampl. Not to forget the gala dinner, the hospitality and friendliness of the organisation team around Tournament Director ErsoyKorer, Co-Director Emre Ak, Head Referee Dolunay Soykan and Hospitality Manager Bilgehan Bakircioglu was outstanding. “They made the best out of the possible conditions and not forgetting it is the only tournament except Canadian Open on the FIR World Tour not in Europe, I strongly recommend IWT status for 2017,” says FIR Delegate Marcel Weigl.
From racketlon.net.
