Brazilian Open: Romanian wins Men's Singles
Sweden�s P�r GERELL and Jens LUNDQVIST win doubles
Sunday, June 26, 2005
ITTF Press Release
Romania�s Adrian CRISAN clinched the Men�s Singles title at the Liebherr Brazilian Open on Sunday 26th June 2005 and in so doing won his first ever title on the ITTF Pro Tour.
He beat Germany�s Peter FRANZ 11-8, 11-3, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5.
�We lost in the semi-finals of the German Bundesliga Play Off matches so I�ve had more time to train in the past few weeks and make sure that I was physically in good shape�, said CRISAN. �I�m sure that�s a major reason why I played so well here in Brazil.�
Bundesliga
CRISAN represents TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen in the German Bundesliga and in the semi-finals they faced M�ller W�rzburger Hofbra�; in the first match on Sunday 29th May 2005 they lost by six games to four; in the second match one week later they lost six-three so for CRISAN the club commitments for the 2004-2005 season were at an end.
The twenty-six year old Romanian was in form throughout the Liebherr Brazilian Open and was never extended to a sixth game, let alone a seventh but he accepted that it had been a tough road to the title and perhaps his victories were closer than the scores suggest. �I think the hardest match was against Jens LUNDQVIST in the semis but it was also tough against Patrick CHILA in the quarters and against Peter FRANZ in the final�, explained CRISAN. �I knew that I had to be totally focused; I couldn�t let my concentration lapse for a slit second; against Peter FRANZ I lost the fourth game when he started to take some risks so in the fifth it was imperative I concentrated fully.�
Certainly, he remained focused throughout and the man who is known for how hard he trains was the champion. �My forehand was good today� he explained. �I played well against some very experienced players, I�m delighted, I cannot describe in words how I feel.�
No Chance
�I had no chance today, he was the better player, he didn�t make any mistakes�, said Peter FRANZ. �It�s very difficult for a left hander playing against his backhand, the ball comes so deep especially to the forehand.�
Nevertheless FRANZ had for the first time in his career reached the final of a Men�s Singles event on the ITTF Pro Tour. �I�m very satisfied with my performance; especially against ROSSKOPF whom I�ve lost to many times in Germany but did beat at the Croatian Open two years ago�, he added. �My backhand has improved and that�s helped me, I don�t have to run so much to try to play my forehand and that�s important because I�m old now.� He�s thirty-four years old, is that old?
Gratitude
CRISAN was ecstatic, he had won an international title; the hours of training all seemed worthwhile. �I just want to thank everybody; especially my family for all the wonderful support they have given me�, he added. �Also I�m indebted to TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen, I�ve been there five years and the club has been tremendous; when I first came Zlatko NOVAKOVIC was the coach; he helped me a great deal whilst in the past four years it�s been Leo AMIZIC, I�d like to publicly thank both of them.�
It was a fine performance by CRISAN, one that was thoroughly merited and the man who plays for the club that is sponsored by Liebherr had won the tournament that carried their name; Adrian CRISAN was the 2005 Liebherr Brazilian Open Men�s Singles champion; a proud moment in his career.