Slovakian duo win thriller (Paris 2013)
Mixed Doubles: Round of 32
Lubomir Pistej and Barbora Balazova have eliminated 3rd seeds Gao Ning and Feng Tianwei in a seven game thriller here at the round of 32 for the mixed doubles.
Seeded 48th, Pistej and Balazova lost the opening game against their Singaporean opposition, but managed to right the wrongs in by winning two games in a row and gaining momentum. The Czechs were pushed back as Gao and Feng won the next two, but eventually it was their conquerors who managed to squeeze in a stunning 4-3 (9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 5-11, 11-4, 14-12) win.
Incredible comeback by Liu! (Paris 2013)
Women’s Singles: Round of 32
Austrian Liu Jia has just wowed the crowd with an incredible comeback win over Korea Republic athlete Yang Haeun, recovering from 1-3 down to win 4-3 (11-7, 11-13, 6-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5).
Despite winning the first game, Liu was edged into a corner by Yang, who won three games in quick succession. In the fifth and what looked like the decisive game, things were not exactly rosy for Liu when Yang neared the match point. But something changed in her tactics and she went on offense to save the match, and she ended up using that momentum to secure three games – and the next round qualification – for herself.
Ishikawa shown the door by Ri (Paris 2013)
Women’s Singles: Round of 32
DPR Korea International Ri Myong-Sun has shocked the World Championship’s predictors as she completely dominated Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa in their match here in Paris.
The 7th seed, and quarter-finalist at the 2009 World Table Tennis Championships Ishikawa was simply overwhelmed with the speed of play from Ri, who recorded a 4-0 (12-10, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5) win. The 42nd seed has surely turned all heads in her direction and her journey will certainly be followed with much intent now.
Assar eliminates Crisan! (Paris 2013)
Men’s Singles: Round of 64
Qualifier from Nigeria, Omar Assar has vanquished 14th seed Adrian Crisan in an epic match here in Paris!
Recording an astounding 4-3 (11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 3-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9) win over his Romanian opponent – who incidentally defeated Timo Boll at London 2012 – Assar was simply in no mood to give up when the score read 2-2. Instead he pushed on with all his might and mental strength to find himself in the next round of the World Championships.
Ma Lin is out!!! (Paris 2013)
Men’s Singles: Round of 64
Who saw that one coming? Three-time World Championships runner-up and 2008 Olympic champion Ma Lin is out of the men’s singles race here in Paris!
The man responsible for Ma’s shock elimination is none other than Japan’s Kenta Matsudaira with the no.40 seed dropping just one game on his way to a simply outstanding 4-1 victory (11-5, 11-7, 11-4, 12-14, 11-7). A repeat fixture of their 2009 World Championships head-to-head, but on this occasion the plaudits go to Matsudaira.
China returns to final (Gothenburg 1993)
Men’s Team: Semi-Finals
After having missed out in 1991, Team China returns to the men’s team final here in Gothenburg two years later, after defeating Team Germany to setup a repeat of the 1989 final from Dortmund.
In a 3-1 win, Wang Tao first saw off Jörg Rosskopf (21-13, 21-19), before Steffen Fetzner balanced the tie with his win over Ma Wenge (21-12, 21-19). It was all in vain as Wang Hao defeated Peter Franz (21-14, 21-15) and then Ma Wenge finished the match off against Jörg Rosskopf (21-18, 17-21, 21-18).
When in Gothenburg (Gothenburg 1993)
Women’s Team: Semi-Finals
DPR Korea has once again secured its ticket to the women’s team final and, just like in 1985, it has come in the Swedish city of Gothenburg.
As fate would have it the team facing DPR Korea was once again Korea Republic, the same side that was bested in the semi-finals eight years ago. 3-1 was the result in 1985, it is the very same outcome this time out as well, as Li Bun Hui & Yu Sun Bok ‘s combined efforts thwarted Hyun Jung Hwa and Park Hae Jung. that Talk about déjà vu!
