MILCHIN STUNS SHMYREV AS BAGGALEY AND WINTER ADVANCE AT WORLD PING PONG MASTERS

By Andrew Wiggins Take Wu/Matchroom Multi Sport

Three-time World Champion Maxim Shymrev crashed out of the World Ping Pong Masters in straight sets to Germany’s Genia Milchen in the last 16 stage at Ricoh Arena, Coventry, live on Sky Sports Mix.

Seeded to the last 16, Shmyrev lost 15-7, 15-12, 15-14 to the German, who had earlier defeated Hungary’s Kristof Zakar in the preliminary round.

Milchin will now face Scotland’s Gavin Rumgay, who came through an epic encounter with England’s Matt Ware. ‘Rumdog’ lost the first two sets 15-11, 15-14 before dominating the third 15-3. The final two sets were tight, but it was last year’s World semi-finalist who took the decisive sets 15-12, 15-14, in what will go down as an all-time classic.

Reigning World Champion Andrew Baggaley beat 18-year-old Ethan Walsh 15-11, 15-8, 15-6 in his last 16 match, and will now face Germany star Sabine Winter in the quarter-finals.

Winter was taken to a deciding set by France’s Bryan Aiglemont, but she eventually progressed 11-15, 15-14, 15-14, 10-15, 15-10 in what was her first match with the sandpaper bat.

“It was a lot of fun and I am very satisfied with my start to ping pong,” said Winter. “I started off a bit nervous but I got better and better and in the end I played fine, although I think I can play even better.

“I enjoyed it a lot, it was fun to play. Baggaley next is probably the most difficult draw but it will be an honour to play against the four-time World Champion. I am sure I will have some fun again. Alex Flemming helped me quite a bit and had given me some tips, so it has been nice to have him as a coach and maybe he can give me a few tips against Andrew for tomorrow.”

Flemming himself will face Marc Duran in the quarter-finals. Spaniard Duran defeated Paul McCreery 3-1, before ‘Flash’ beat Lucian Filimon of Romania in straight sets to complete the line-up for the last eight.

All players, staff and officials Players, officials and staff were tested on arrival at the event. All those tested remained in isolation until the results were confirmed. Strict rules on social distancing and hygiene remain in place, in line with government guidelines. All those who were tested will now remain inside the ‘event bubble’ and will not leave until the conclusion of the event.

Players are competing under Elite Sports Person Exemptions and were met on arrival to the UK and driven directly to the venue for Covid-19 testing. All players were also tested before travelling to the UK and were only allowed to board their flights after receiving a negative test result.

LAST-16 RESULTS Andrew Baggaley (ENG) 3-0 Ethan Walsh (ENG) 15-11, 15-8, 15-6

Sabine Winter (GER) 3-2 Bryan Aiglemont (FRA) 11-15, 15-14, 15-14, 10-15, 15-10

Gavin Rumgay (SCO) 3-2 Matt Ware (ENG) 11-15, 14-15, 15-3, 15-12, 15-14

Maxim Shmyrev (RUS) 0-3 Genia Milchin (GER) 7-15, 12-15, 14-15

Chris Doran (ENG) 3-0 Tomas Mikutis (LTU) 15-5, 15-8, 15-11

Benjamin Sorensen (DEN) 3-2 Javier Benito Rodriguez (ESP) 15-6, 15-13, 10-15, 14-15, 15-14

Paul McCreery (NI) 1-3 Marc Duran (ESP) 14-15, 15-12, 8-15, 4-15

Alexander Flemming (GER) 3-0 Lucian Filimon (ROU) 15-6, 15-8, 15-9

QUARTER-FINAL SCHEDULE | Sunday, January 24, 12:00-16:00

Andrew Baggaley (ENG) vs. Sabine Winter (GER) Gavin Rumgay (SCO) vs. Genia Milchin (GER) Chris Doran (ENG) vs. Benjamin Sorensen (DEN) Marc Duran (ESP) vs. Alexander Flemming (GER)