"The main thing is that there is a player from the Czech Republic in
the quarter-finals", said a very sporting Renata Strbikova after losing
her fourth round Women’s Singles duel against compatriot Iveta
Vacenovska at the H.I.S. World Championships, late in the afternoon of
Saturday 2nd May 2009.
Iveta Vacenovska won 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9 to book her place in the quarter-finals.
"It’s
the worst possible situation, yet the best possible situation",
reflected Vacenovska, as perspiration dripped from her brow.
Colleague
"Renata is
my friend, we are in the same team, we practise together, we play
doubles together, we share the same room", continued Vaceonovska. "On
the other hand it’s better not to have had to face a Chinese player
where you only have a minimal chance of winning."
It was for both players a dilemma.
Mental Approach
"I
tried not to think that it was Renata at the other end of the table",
continued Vacenovska. "I tried to think it was just a player."
Good thinking, treat every opponent as a player whatever the nationality or pedigree and who knows what may happen.
Stable Manner
"Mentally
I felt good today and I think in the last six months I have become more
stable in that department", concluded Vacenovska. "Now, I think
tactically I am better and against European players I believe I can
win."
In Yokohama, Iveta Vacenovska was full of belief.
Very Hard
"It
was very hard today and of course even harder because you are playing
someone from your own country", said Strbikova. "Today, Iveta was more
active than me in her play and mentally she was calmer than usual; more
than usual she kept the play short and played with more spin than I
expected."
Chinese Decisions
Success
for Iveta Vacenovska in the all Czech Republic battle whilst in the two
contests featuring players from China, it was success for Liu Shiwen
and Li Xiaoxia.
Liu Shiwen beat fourth seed, Guo Yan in straight
games, winning 11-5, 11-6, 13-11, 11-4 whilst in one game more, Li
Xiaoxia defeated Ding Ning.
Li Xiaoxia succeeded 11-6, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6, 12-10.
Impressive
In
the one remaining match completed in the afternoon of the fifth day of
play, top seed, China’s Zhang Yining defeated Hungary’s Krisztina Toth
in impressive style.
The reigning Olympic champion won 11-6, 11-2, 11-3, 11-6.
Source: www.ittf.com
