In the early hours of January 19, the Champions League quarterfinal first leg saw Saarbrücken visit Hennebont. Thanks to outstanding performances from Fan Zhendong, Moregard, and Franziska, Saarbrücken claimed a 3-0 victory, securing a first-leg advantage.
Match Highlights
- Moregard 3-1 Sidorenko (11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 12-10)
Moregard started strong with a 6-1 lead in the first game. Despite being caught up mid-game, he secured the win. He dropped the second game narrowly, then dominated the third and fourth games, completing a dramatic comeback from 3-8 down in the fourth game to win 12-10. - Fan Zhendong 3-2 Simon Goetz (4-11, 11-5, 7-11, 16-14, 6-2)
Fan started slowly, losing the first game 4-11, then rebounded in the second. After trailing 1-8 in the third, he fought back but lost 7-11. In the fourth, he saved a match point at 16-14, and dominated the fifth 6-2 to secure victory and keep Saarbrücken in control. - Franziska 3-0 Katzman (11-8, 11-8, 13-11)
Franziska overturned a 3-6, 6-8 deficit in the first game to win 11-8, took the second 11-8, and clinched the third game 13-11 after multiple match points were saved by Katzman.
With three crucial wins on the road, Saarbrücken positions itself strongly for the semifinals.
