Last seen capturing the New Jersey Open title, Keinath was once again the top seed for the Open Singles category at this Maryland tournament. Once again, his major opposition figured to come from David Zhuang, the five-time US Men's Singles Champion and Westfield, NJ stalwart. Not that there were not other players in the hunt!

The Open Singles Quarterfinal bracket included US Men's Team member Han Xiao, the quickly improving Samson Dubina, long-pip twiddling John Wetzler, Maryland veteran Vladimir Poradich, New Jersey spinmaster Larry Bavly and Keinath's European running mate, Stefan Feth. While some noted the disparity in rating (and expectation) between the final eight, no one could deny the pleasure of the opportunity to share in the prize money and face top-flight talent!

Playing on the forgiving and comfortable floor of the Discovery SportsZone in Boyds, Maryland, there was far less comfort or forgiveness in the Quarter-Final matches. Samson Dubina gave Han Xiao an early scare in taking the first game of their best-of-seven, 11-7. Xiao notched two straight games, 11-6, 11-5, but Dubina wasn't through, pushing Han to a 13-11 result in the fourth game before bowing out 11-7 in the fifth. Samson, who has visibly benefited from his training sessions with the Canadians, took the U-2375 and the U-2500 titles, and left with a smile on his face and $145 for his work in this match. "See you next month at the STIGA Open in Pennsylvania!" he called out cheerfully as he departed. Win or lose, Samson Dubina carries himself with dignity and class.

Dignity was on Larry Bavly's mind as he squared off with Stefan Feth, the rail-thin German. A former 2400 player, Bavly was determined not to be embarrassed against the former German National semi-finalist. His game plays all the angles, and frequently had Feth scurrying from corner to corner. 5,2,8,5, Feth advances as expected, but Larry declares himself well content. "He's such a strong player", Larry informs me. "It meant that I had to ‘go for it' on every shot, there is no margin of safety. If I lost 11-5, it meant I made 5 and missed 11. The only thing you can do is serve short, short and heavy spin and then attack the return. That's a lot of pressure on your service game. If you serve what you might call medium long or if the serve isn't perfect, you aren't going to get to make another shot."

Vladimir Poradich was similarly anxious when drawn against David Zhuang. In fact, he seriously considered not even appearing for a match in which he felt he had ‘no chance'. But hats off to Poradich for making the effort! Our point to him was, that having won the U-2250, and with his Quarterfinal prize money, he should be delighted to be paid for the chance to play a former World #60. Whether that swayed him, or whether pride was the motivator, he did put his ‘A' game on the table, which was good enough for scores of 3,5,7 and 8 against the Pan-Am gold medalist.

John Wetzler is a classic American street-fighter. He's a determined and passionate opponent, and despite holding a full-time job, raising a family, having a life, capable of standing in against full-time, world-class professional table tennis players. Thomas Keinath has met him before, most recently at the Cary Cup, where he prevailed in 3 straight games. But at that same tournament, John had hung a loss on De Tran, so I was especially curious to see this match. It speaks well for John that they stood at a game apiece as the third game began. "Thomas became very cautious" one bystander commented, "because John's game is so disruptive and his attack is not telegraphed."

But training, experience, and age are all on Keinath's side in this one, and he goes to the semi-final 6,-5,3,6,5.

In the Semifinals, Stefan Feth can get nothing going against David Zhuang, who controls all the crucial points. David's short pips Penhold style has Feth muttering to himself, shaking his head, and ultimately, shaking Zhuang's hand after a straight game setback, 8,7,7,9. David's service game, and his pips blocking are so far from the usual topspin attacking game that Stefan cannot get the rallies he wants. There is spectacular shot-making by both players, but David has to feel good about stepping through in four straight. Stefan tells me "I love coming to your tournaments. Everything is well organized, and we know that for table tennis to succeed in America is good for the entire world. I would play more tournaments in America if my home club schedule in Germany were not so heavy. Look for me at your STIGA Teams this year, I expect that I can assemble some very strong players to join me there."

But it's the other semi which attracts the spectators, since Han Xiao is ‘on his own turf', his home county. The local paper hits him for a lengthy interview, the clubmates and friends are all courtside as the hometown hero goes after Thomas Keinath. You'd think all this attention might increase the pressure on Han, but there's no sign of it, and the home folks are totally into the match when Han takes the very first game, 11-8. Thomas is looking a little worried. Han is quicker, more consistent than I have seen him before. His backhand seems particularly effective, surprising given Keinath's own mastery of that corner. Every point is hard-fought, every game is tight, but from here on they all fall Keinath's direction, 9,10,9 and finally 5 in the fifth. A 4-1 result could not be much closer than this! Han is not one to display his emotions at the table, and taking his $320 check seems totally composed. I cannot help thinking that Keinath, despite the game score, has dodged a bullet.