by Ian Marshall, Editor
Progress for Mima Ito as status advised, it was the same for Poland’s Li Qian, the no.11 seed against an adversary in a rich vein of form and predicted to cause an upset. She beat China’s Wang Yidi (11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 5-11, 11-1, 12-10), the player who the previous week had reached the final in Bulgaria, losing to colleague, Ding Ning in a match decided in seven games.
“I’m so happy that I won, she is a great player! Today I played tactically well and I think that she was a bit nervous as she didn’t play so fast. I actually had a two and a half months break from table tennis and this was my first match after the holiday; this was a very difficult match because I’m not yet in the same physical condition as before the break. I will still need more practice to get it back up again.” Li Qian
Success for the defensive skills of Li Qian but in the opening round of the Women’s Singles event, as play progressed, it was mixed fortunes for those who extolled the defensive art.
Germany’s Sabine Winter, the fluent forehand most adroit against backspin play, caused the biggest upset of the round. She beat Japan’s Hitomi Sato, the no.4 seed (11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4).
“I’m very happy to win this match. She is a very good player and she was the favourite but I know that I can play well against defence and I did that today, so I’m glad! I haven’t practised that much against defence during last two years; before I used to play a lot against German defenders. Although it was a long time ago, it still helps today. We still also have Han Ying so of course I get to practise against defence every now and then.” Sabine Winter
Likewise, China’s Sun Mingyang proved her qualities when confronting defensive play; she ended the hopes of Han Ying, the no.14 seed and like Sabine Winter from Germany (9-11, 13-11, 12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6).
Defeats for defensively minded players; in addition to Li Qian, there was more success for the art. China’s Wu Yang, as so many times in the past, proved safe and secure. She beat Japan’s Hina Hayata, the no.5 seed (11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 12-10).
Victory for Wu Yang contrary to seeding; it was the same for colleagues Wen Jia and Liu Gaoyang. One week ago in Bulgaria, Wen Jia had recovered from an opening game deficit to beat Romania’s Elizabeta Samara, the no.8 seed, in five games (8-11, 11-3, 12-10, 12-10, 12-10, 11-9); in Olomouc she did exactly the same (9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-2, 11-4).
A five games win for Wen Jia, contrary to status, it was the similar for colleague, Liu Gaoyang; she beat Hungary’s Georgina Pota, the no.13 seed, in six games (11-9, 13-11, 3-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-5).
The end of the road for Hungary, it was also full stop for the host nation; Dana Cechova, the no.16 seed, was beaten by Portugal’s Fu Yu (11-6, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7).
Play in the second round of the Women’s Singles event will be conducted in entirety on Friday 24th August.
