Chinese Taipei’s Chuan Chih-Yuan threatened against China’s Wang Hao
in the second round of matches in Group A of the Liebherr Men’s World
Cup in the Belgian city of Liege on the evening of Friday 26th
September 2008 but at the end of the day it was the man who stands in
top spot on the current ITTF Men’s World Ranking list who prevailed.
Wang Hao won 12-10, 12-10, 11-9, 11-8.
It
was for Wang Hao a continuation of winning ways whilst on the adjacent
table, also in Group A, for Austria’s Werner Schlager, it was a return
to winning ways.
He beat Canada’s Pradeeban Peter-Paul in four straight games winning 11-9, 12-10, 11-4, 11-8.
Chances
Chuan Chih Yuan had chances against Wang Hao in the opening two games.
Attacking
quickly after the service and staying close to the table he caused the
world no.1 problems but in striving hard for success he made errors and
in counter topspin rallies, an area where the Chinese star was the
favourite, being the more powerful.
Even when returning service
relatively weakly, Wang Hao often recovered to win the point owing the
strength of his counter topspin play.
First Two Games
"I
had opportunities in the first two games", reflected Chuan Chih-Yuan.
"If I could have won one or both of those games, the result might have
been different."
That’s sport but Chuan Chih-Yuan acquitted himself well and a straight games defeat was a trifle harsh.
Aggression
"Maybe
I should have been more aggressive, I don’t know", continued Chuan
Chih-Yuan. "I felt comfortable against his backhand and in topspin
rallies; no great problems; perhaps mentally I needed to be better."
Chuan Chih-Yuan was being self-critical but he did have chances and they went begging.
Too Wise
Meanwhile,
Werner Schlager just knew too much for Pradeeban Peter-Paul, the
variety of his services and return of service causing the Canadian
endless problems.
In open play, Pradeeban Peter-Paul was comfortable; in the vital area of service and receive he was not.
Dangerous
"Yes,
if you play his way, he’s dangerous, he’s powerful", explained Werner
Schlager". "I made many changes; you can’t let him dominate the points."
Werner Schlager just knew too much, too clever, too experienced.
Source: www.ittf.com
