By Neha Aggarwal
“Today morning I felt good, I felt as if no one can beat me, I just wanted to go and win the match,” said Xu Xin after beating Harimoto in five games ( 11-9 ,6- 11, 11-6,11-8 ,11-4).
Harimoto started off the match with a thunderous forehand topspin, indicating that he is here for business. But they say experience counts and Xu Xin certainly displayed that today.
Harimoto is only 13 years old, the youngest World Junior Champion, and the world has been raving about his age.
“Everyone who is competing here at the World Championships is going after the title, I can’t possibly give in to him just because he’s young,” said Xu Xin.
Xu Xin was calm and focused, Harimoto’s occasional winners did not seem to bother him. Harimoto stayed closer to the table, tried to catch the balls earlier, but on the cost of a high margin of error.
Xu Xin raced on a 2-1 lead, and in the fourth game at 3-0 Harimoto took a time out. But nothing could deter the Chinese today, Xu Xin was on fire.
As the crowd cheered on to the 13 year-old, Xu Xin was focused. His five game victory spoke volumes of his experience and efficeincy.
In the semi-finals, he will play against World no.1, Olympic and World Champion Ma Long at 10:00am on 5th June 2017.
“Tomorrow I will play against the strongest player in the world, I will stabilise my own mental game, that’s how I will have a chance.”- Xu Xin
