China’s Guo Yue, the no.2 seed, and Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, the no.4 seed, emerged victorious in the lower half of the draw at the quarter-final stage of the Women’s Singles event at the Volkswagen Pro Tour Grand Finals in Macau on the evening of Saturday 13th December 2008.
Guo Yue overcame Feng Tianwei’s compatriot, Sun Bei Bei after Feng Tianwei had beaten Austria’s Liu Jia. The successes gained by the two players means that both semi-finals will see China face Singapore.
In the top half of the draw it is Wang Yue Gu versus Guo Yan; whilst in the lower half it is Feng Tianwei in opposition to Guo Yue.
Started as Favourites
Both victors in the evening session of play started as favourites, neither having previously lost to their adversary in a world ranking event.
The reigning World champion, Gue Yue succeeded in four straight games but Feng Tianwei was stretched the full limit.
Feng Tianwei won 11-4, 7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7 whilst Guo Yue prevailed 11-9, 12-10, 11-7, 11-7.
Power and Consistency
Eventually it was the power of Feng Tianwei and the marginally higher level of consistency that won the day for the adopted Singaporean.
Attacking with the backhand wide to the Feng Tianwei forehand brought success for Liu Jia as did playing a controlled heavy forehand topspin directed towards her adversary’s body.
However, when a rally developed Feng Tianwei was always the favourite, supremely well balanced and comfortable from both backhand and forehand, she gained success.
Speed
Meanwhile, Guo Yue was too fast for her opponent; Sun Bei Bei did cause the reigning World champion problems and after losing a close first game looked as though she might level proceedings when she established a 10-6 lead in the second game.
Alas for Sun Bei Bei there was to be no more success in that game; against Li Jia Wei, Guo Yan had trailed 6-10 and then won six points in a row, so Guo Yue emulated her colleague.
More Confident
The close second game win was a dagger in the heart for Sun Bei Bei whilst for Guo Yue it was an injection of confidence.
She accelerated, gave Sun Bei Bei minimal time to respond and accelerating up the gears booked herself a place in the semi-finals.
Source: www.ittf.com
