by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor (Interviews by Hung Yen Lin)
Ayumi Narumoto and Rei Yamamoto emerged successful in four straight games in opposition to DPR Korea’s Cho Hyon Hwa and Kim Song I (11-6, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9); however, for Minami Ando and Rika Suzuki it was a much different proposition.
They trailed Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu and Cheng I-Ching 2-7 in the deciding seventh game before winning nine of the next 11 points to secure victory (11-4, 11-7, 18-20, 17-15, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9).
“The Japanese team was rather fast, so we managed to slow down the tempo while picking up the ball and during the towel break. We didn’t have much communication in the seventh game; they came back point by point. We were both under pressure but we didn’t want each other to feel stressed, so we did not talk much. We just told each other never mind, we can make it. We did not come up with a thorough strategy and tactics. We thought we could win, so we didn’t think too much; then we just made a lot of unnecessary errors. It was really pity to lose the last game but this experience will make our communication better in the future.” Chen Szu-Yu
Defeat for Chinese Taipei at the quarter-final stage of the Women’s Doubles event; there was also one further reverse. Cheng Hsien-Tu and Lin Yu-Hsin experienced defeat at the hands of Korea Republic’s Jeon Jihee and Lee Eunhye (11-9, 2-11, 11-3, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5).
Success for Korea Republic; there was also quarter-final success for DPR Korea. Cha Hyo Sim and Kim Nam Hae accounted for Romania’s Irina Ciobanu and Bernadette Szocs (11-4, 11-6, 11-4, 11-4).
At the semi-final stage Minami Ando and Rika Suzuki meet Cha Hyo Sim and Kim Nam Hae; Jeon Jihee and Lee Eunhye oppose Ayumi Narumoto and Rei Yamamoto.
Disappointment for Chinese Taipei; in the corresponding round of the Men’s Doubles event it was far better news.
Chen Chien-An and Chiang Hung-Chieh beat Austria’s Alexander Chen and Simon Pfeffer (11-4, 11-2, 11-7, 11-4); Lee Chia-Sheng and Liao Cheng-Ting accounted for Japan’s Masaki Yoshida and Kazuhiro Yoshimura (11-7, 11-13, 8-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6).
In the penultimate round Chen Chien-An and Chiang Hung-Chieh meet Japan’s Masata Morizono and Yuya Oshima, the runners up earlier this year at the Liebherr 2017 World Championships; Lee Chia-Sheng and Liao Cheng-Ting oppose Korea’s Republic’s Jang Woojin and Lim Jonghoon.
Masata Morizono and Yuya Oshima booked their semi-final place courtesy of success against Russia’s Sadi Ismailov and Taras Merzlikin (11-4, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6); Jang Woojin and Lim Jonghoon overcame DPR Korea’s Choe Il and Pak Sin Hyok (11-8, 11-6, 12-10, 11-6).
The semi-finals and finals of both the Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles events will be played on Monday 28th August; the semi-finals are all due to start at 7.20pm, the Women’s Doubles final is scheduled for 8.15pm followed by the Men’s Doubles final at 9.00pm.
2017 Summer Universiade: Table Tennis Events – Tuesday 22nd to Tuesday 29th August