by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
However, as the engagement commenced, a victory appeared a far cry; in the opening game they trailed 6-10 before winning six points in a row. However, the loss of those points appeared only a hiccup, the Singaporeans dominated the next two games and appeared to be in command.
Urged on by cries of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie”, the duo recovered; they forced a fifth game and at the change of ends in the decider led 5-2, it was an advantage they never relinquished; a five games win (12-10, 4-11, 2-11, 11-6, 11-8).
“In the first game we were losing 6-10, we just kept playing, we didn’t change anything; maybe they thought we would change. In the second and third games they made lots of changes; we became nervous, we could not find a rhythm to our play. Predominantly they played long; in the fifth game, at the change of hands we were ahead 5-2; that gave us a big advantage. Now in the quarter-finals, we’ve beaten a really strong pair but let’s just take things one match at a time.” Miao Miao
Success for Jian Fang Lay and Miao Miao, there was also success for one further Australian pair in the third round of the Women’s Doubles event; away from the glare of the show court Michelle Bromley and Melissa Tapper beat Malaysia’s Chang Li Sian Alice and Tee Ai Xin (11-2, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7).
Problems for the third seeds; not for the other leading pairs, status prevailed and there was success for Singapore.
Feng Tianwei and Yu Mengyu, the top seeds, accounted for Guyana’s Natalie Cummings and Trenace Lowe (11-3, 11-2, 11-4); similarly India’s Manika Batra and Mouma Das, the no.2 seeds, overcame Sri Lanka’s Hansani Kapugeekiyana and Ishara Madurangi (11-4, 11-4, 11-1).
Impressive performances, after a somewhat hesitant start, Canada’s Alicia Côte and Zhang Mo, the no.4 seeds, overcame England’s Denise Payet and Kelly Silbley (8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3). The contest was to some extent déjà vu for Kelly Sibley; four years ago in Glasgow, partnering Joanna Drinkhall it had been defeat in the bronze medal match against Zhang Mo who on that occasion partnered Anqi Luo.
