by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
A three-one victory margin was the outcome with the increasingly reliable Cheng I-Ching the mainstay of the win; emerging successful against players possessing totally different styles.
In the opening match of the fixture she overcame the fast close to the table attacking style of Mouma Das (11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6), before in the contest that brought matters to a conclusion, eventually accounting for Manika Batra; a player who uses long pimpled rubber on the backhand, smooth reversed rubber on the forehand.
Establishing a rhythm against such an opponent can prove a headache. The mind of Cheng I-Ching was clear; remaining resolute she prevailed in four games (11-8, 12-14, 11-3, 11-9).
“It’s the first time that I’d played Mouma, it was difficult adapting to the tempo of her play and here the ball comes with less spin than usual; similarly against Manika it was a case of adapting to the speed of the ball.” Cheng I-Ching
Two wins from Cheng-Ching, the one further success for Chinese Taipei was recorded by Chen Szu-Yu; in the second match of the contest she defeated Manika Batra (3-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6); the one win for India was secured in the third match of the fixture when Madhurika Patkar overcame Cheng Hsien-Tu (11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 14-12).
“The fact the ball comes slowly and with not much spin made it difficult for me; against Manika it was only in the fifth game that I became confident.” Chen Szu-Yu
A three-one win for Chinese Taipei; in the corresponding Women’s Team qualification semi-final it was the same outcome; Singapore recorded a three-one success in opposition to Malaysia.
Just as Cheng I-Ching was the backbone of the Chinese Taipei victory; Feng Tianwei was the cornerstone of the Singaporean win.
She accounted for both Lee Rou You (11-2, 11-6, 11-5) and Ng Sock Khim (11-5, 11-4, 11-9); the one other success for the victors was posted by Wong Xin Ru, in the third match of the engagement, she overcame Ho Ying (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6). The one success for Malaysia was secured courtesy of Ng Sock Khim; in the second match of the fixture, she beat Zhang Wanling (11-6, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5).
