Benedikt Duda follows Qiu to the DM throne
Benedikt Duda strikes again after three years: the German champion of 2021 is also the German champion of 2024. He won 4:1 against Steffen Mengel in the final.
The final of the first edition of the TT Finals had everything you would expect from such a mega event. Enthusiastic spectators, exciting matches - and a thrilling duel in the final. Both Benedikt Duda and Steffen Mengel know what it means to be German champion. Duda has won once so far in 2021, while it's been longer for his rival in the final: Mengel won the German Championships in Bamberg in 2013. It was therefore particularly special for the 35-year-old veteran not only to be in the final for the national crown once again, but also to be able to play in front of his home crowd. The Thuringian by choice has been playing for Post SV Mühlhausen, which is not far away, for six years and also has a large fan base in the hall. The energy carried him through the tournament, he won against Tom Schweiger, Tobias Hippler and Kay Stumper. However, he was then unable to get past Benedikt Duda, with the final score being 4:1 for the player from Bergneustadt. "Of course I would have liked to have come out of here as the winner," said Mengel afterwards. Duda was a touch better in the game.
Benedikt Duda looks back on the start of the match: "The first three sets in particular were very competitive. Steffen always comes back, he simply has a high maximum," analyzed the TTBL pro. The third set was decisive. "After that, the starting shot was fired," says Duda. For the new German champion, this is not just another title in a long line. He was not able to play in top form and the mental strain was also high. "That's why this title means even more to me than the first one," explains Duda. Duda will now go on a well-deserved vacation to Mallorca. In July, however, he will start his Olympic preparations and train the Olympic squad consisting of Boll, Ovtcharov and Qiu. "I'll do my best to ensure that they travel to Paris in top form."
Men´s singles final:
Benedikt Duda – Steffen Mengel 4:1 (11:9, 9:11, 11:9, 11:5, 11:6)
Source: Homepage DTTB
Featured image above: Benedikt Duda (Photo: TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt)