by Wade Townsend

Petrissa Soja (GER) and Fang Bo (CHN) are cruising through the mixed doubles draw and look to be eyeing off top place on the podium. They are dangerous pair, but then combination of the Chinese fans and German crowd, they make a formidable team for any opponent to face.

Fang Bo is enjoying the extra support.

“I think the German table tennis fans have been a fantastic audience and they are great in so many ways.” Fang Bo

So far the duo have come up against little resistance, not dropping a game, but Solja knows that they will have to be on their guard.

“Our opponents will also be strong as they are in the quarterfinal. I’m optimistic but also we are preparing for a harder match than 4-0. But I want the medal so much!” Petrissa Solja

The top athletes are used to playing against the players from China, but it is a completely different experience being on the same side of the table as them.

“I wish I could learn his footwork and topspin. He always so confident. The Chinese players are always so confident and believe in theirselves. Fang Bo is making sure that I am always playing positively even when missing a shot.” Petrissa Solja

At the top of the draw there will be an explosive quarter-final encounter when the number one seeds from Korea Republic, Lee Sangsu and Yang Haeun, come up against Japans Kasumi Ishikawa and Maharu Yoshimura. It’s even money who will come out on top of that match.

And at the bottom of the draw Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem and Lee Ho Ching defended their number two seeding, seeing off the wildcard pairing of Feng Yalan (CHN) and Jonathan Groth (DEN) in a tight seven game encounter, winning 8-11,8-11,11-5,11-7,11-9,9-11,8-11.

The quarter-finals will kick off tonight at 18:00 local time.