Czech Nationals : Mekbib and Serme triumph

Serme and Mekbib Czech champions 2020

Tomas Forter reports

Anna Serme won her second national title and Daniel Mekbib his third this weekend in Ostrava.

Anna defeated Eva Feřteková in the final. Anna started really well and controlled the first two games. Eva didn’t want to go down easily and fought back strongly. Managed to win the third to stay in the match and it was close in the fourth all the way to 8/8 but Anna won the final three points to clinch her second title after she won her first in 2018.

The Men’s final was played between two players who won this tournament 20 times in the last 21 years.

Top seeded and holder of the national title from last two years Daniel Mekbib faced 18-times champion Jan Koukal. He was unseeded in the tournament as he doesn´t play tournaments regularly so he is not ranked high. Koukal managed to beat three seeded opponents David Zeman, Ondrej Uherka and yesterday Martin Švec in the semifinal.

He seemed to be relatively fresh for the final as well so the packed gallery in Fajne Sport Center expected big match. The first was very close with momentum shifting both ways as both players managed to win strings of points. Kouki got his chance at 10/9 but Daniel saved it with a superb winner and managed to win next two points to win the first game.

Second was similar. Kouki 4/1, Daniel 5/4, Kouki 7/5, 8/8, 9/9, 11/9 Daniel and 2/0 lead. Great start in the third from Daniel. 5/0, 8/1, big push from Kouki 3/8 but Daniel too good. 11/3 and 3/0 in 40 minutes.

MEN’S DRAW & RESULTS  WOMEN’S DRAW & RESULTS