Bundesliga

The 1. FC Saarbrücken-TT sent out a clear statement at the start of Matchday 3 in the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL). In the Joachim Deckarm Halle, once again expanded with extra stands, the Saarland side led by superstar Fan Zhendong swept aside a depleted Borussia Dortmund 3–0. Just five days before the two clubs meet again in the Cup at the same venue, FCS put themselves firmly on the front foot.

Fan Zhendong celebrates first success in his new home

After suffering two defeats on his Bundesliga debut, Fan Zhendong was determined to make amends in front of his home fans. Against Cedrick Nuytinck the Olympic champion trailed 3–7 early in the opening game, but stormed back to take it 11–8 and never looked back. He dominated the rest of the contest and sealed the 3–0 win with a spectacular combination — a chop-block followed by a parallel forehand topspin from deep backhand — to the delight of the many Chinese fans who had travelled to Saarbrücken.

Jorgic and Ionescu also victorious

Darko Jorgic wasted no time against Alberto Mino, easing to a straight-games win to make it 2–0. Eduard Ionescu then wrapped up the match, but not without drama: the Romanian fell 1–2 behind in games against Adam Szudi and grew visibly frustrated with his play. A timeout in game four helped him reset, and buoyed by the home crowd he raced through the decider 11–2. “It’s a great experience to play in front of so many people cheering you on. I needed this win and hopefully I can build on it now,” Ionescu told Dyn afterwards.

Dortmund missing Lind and Karlsson

Cedrick Nuytinck called the outcome a “logical result,” noting that Dortmund were without their two top players Kristian Karlsson and Anders Lind. Lind had only hours earlier bowed out of the WTT Champions semifinal in Macao, where he had stunned world No. 1 Lin Shidong on the way.

For Saarbrücken the win marked a second straight victory and a chance to fully shake off their shaky start. Dortmund, meanwhile, suffered a second consecutive defeat after their bitter 3–2 loss to Fulda. On Friday the two sides will meet again in the Cup round of 16. “We hope it goes the same way again. In table tennis you never know,” said Ionescu.

Matchday 3 fixtures

1. FC Saarbrücken TT – Borussia Dortmund 3:0
Fan Zhendong – Cedrick Nuytinck 3:0 (11:8, 11:6, 11:3)
Darko Jorgic – Alberto Mino 3:0 (11:7, 11:6, 11:7)
Eduard Ionescu – Adam Szudi 3:2 (11:7, 10:12, 6:11, 11:9, 11:2)

Sunday, 14. September
17 Uhr: TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen – TTC Zugbrücke Grenzau

Monday, 15. September
19 Uhr: TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell – TSV Bad Königshofen

Tuesday, 16. September
19 Uhr: ASC Grünwettersbach – Borussia Düsseldorf

Wednesday, 17. September
18:30 Uhr: SV Werder Bremen – TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt
19 Uhr: Post SV Mühlhausen – TTC OE Clarity Telefonie-Systeme Bad Homburg

All TTBL matches are broadcast live and on demand on Dyn.

Photo above: Fan Zhendong of 1. FC Saarbrücken-TT (Photo: Ulrich Höfer)