China’s Wang Liqin and Guo Yue, the respective reigning Men’s and
Women’s World champions both negotiated their fourth round matches in
the Yokohama Arena at the H.I.S. World Championships on Saturday 2nd
May 2009.
However, both experienced problems; both had to dig deep into their mental reserves to emerge victorious; especially Guo Yue.
She
was extended the full seven games distance by Hong Kong’s Jiang Huajun
whilst Wang Liqin needed six games to overcome a spirited Tang Peng,
also from Hong Kong.
Results
Guo Yue won 9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-5 whilst Wang Liqin prevailed 11-3, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 15-13.
Jiang
Huajun gave the reigning World champion a host of problems, the player
from Hong Kong is particularly strong from the backhand and she
directed her attacks time and again into the body of Gue Yue.
Mistakes
The
Chinese star made mistakes trying to move around the backhand to play
her favoured forehand, her strength; however, in the rallies she became
the favourite as the match progressed and in the decisive seventh game
maintained her poise and focus at the crucial times.
She led
6-5, it was a crucial stage of the duel, the Chinese coach on duty Kong
Linghui was well aware of the importance of the situation. He called
"Time Out".
It proved a wise decision; Guo Yue accelerated, she
played with control from the backhand and speed from the forehand She
won the next five points and a quarter-final place was booked.
Tang Peng Threatens
Meanwhile,
Tang Peng, who uses short pimples on the backhand and reversed rubber
on the forehand attacked quickly from the start.
He tested the
counter attacking skills of Wang Liqin to the limits with the reigning
World champion avoiding the Tang Peng backhand at the crucial stages.
Often
he served short to the Tang Peng forehand and then attacked the Hong
Kong player’s forehand, the tactic eventually brought dividends.
Korean Mixed Fortunes
A brace of successes for China and but mixed fortunes for Korea.
Joo
Se Hyuk beat Hong Kong’s Cheung Yuk in unfortunate circumstances; the
Korean led by three games to one, the stage at which Cheung Yuk was
forced to withdraw owing to a hip injury.
Victory for the defensive skills of Joo Se Hyuk but for compatriot, Park Mi Young it was defeat.
Expedite
In
a contest that went the full seven games distance and was concluded
under the Expedite Rule with the Korean saving three match points in
the deciding game, Feng Tianwei won 11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 10-12, 11-13,
11-9, 13-11.
Source: www.ittf.com
