by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Competing in the group qualification phase, she accounted for Sanjana Alix Ramasawmy of Mauritius in four straight games (11-4, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4).

Alicia Côté was several steps ahead of her brave opponents but that is what the 18 year old needs to do; she shows promise, the technique looks sound, now it is a question of making the next step which is a big step; moving from promising to established.

Playing most worthy opponents in the Women’s Team event earlier in the proceedings, against Australia’s Tracey Feng she was beaten in a full distance five games duel (5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9), later in the proceedings it was the same when confronting England’s Tin-Tin Ho (11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5).

“Sometimes I think I lose focus when it is close, I become nervous, I make mistakes. Against Tracey Feng in the team event I was ahead, I led 7-4 in the fourth game. I need to try to relax, stop thinking about the score and just play one point at a time; focus on each point not the score.” Alicia Côté

It all sounds so easy; it is not! It is a major challenge for the Alicia Côté.

“I think since the Pan American Games in Toronto I am more consistent and more confident in the rallies. I am now in my second year playing in Linz; the level of practice is high and it helps playing against the boys who are more powerful. I need to improve my forehand, I need to be stronger with the first two attacks; at the moment I am a little too passive. Today before the match I was a little nervous but I managed to overcome any concerns.” Alicia Côté

A good start for Alicia Côté, in her second group stage match she meets Guyana’s Priscilla Greaves.