Chinese star Liu Shiwen in action at Qatar Open in Doha yesterday.
Doha: The final in Markham, Toronto at the Uncle Pop 2017 ITTF Women’s World Cup presented by Polar Naturals some six months ago; that contest was center stage yesterday in the opening round of the Women’s Singles event at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open in Doha.
In the Canadian city the all Chinese final had been won by Zhu Yuling; she beat Liu Shiwen by the very narrowest of margins in a gripping seven games duel (11-13, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 12-10). In the Gulf State the verdict was reversed.
Liu Shiwen gained revenge in a high class contest but never quite reached the heights of Markham; a six games verdict was the order of proceedings (12-14, 11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5).
“I had to play two matches to qualify so I was used to the atmosphere, accustomed to the arena, for Zhu Yuling, it was much different, it was her first match,” she said.
“I think she found it hard to adapt to the rhythm of the match. Both of kept making changes; after the fourth game when we were level, the direction of my play, my placement of the ball was better. In the past we have played so many games, I was prepared for that again,” she added.
Liu Shiwen Revenge for Liu Shiwen, it was the same for Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, the no.8 seed.
At the recent 2018 ITTF Team World Cup in London, she had been beaten by Romania’s Bernadette Szocs in three straight games; in Doha she reversed the verdict to record a five games success (11-6, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5).
“Today I was more patient than when I lost in London; also my head was clear today, I was one hundred per cent focused. I cannot really highlight specific points, maybe the fact that I received service well was important but really it was being strong mentally,” she said.
Cheng I-Ching Success for Cheng I-Ching as status predicted but there were upsets as the opening round of the Women’s Singles event advanced.
Miyu Nagasaki beat Japanese colleague, Sakura Mori, the no.15 seed (11-13, 11-6, 12-10, 11-9, 11-9); also from Japan, Hitomi Sato used her defensive skills to good effect to defeat Chen Szu-Yu, the no.10 seed and like Cheng I-Ching from Chinese Taipei (11-3, 11-7, 8-11, 11-2, 11-7).
Upsets, in the remaining contests in the lower half of the first round of the Women’s Singles draw, matters progressed as expected with Japan to the fore.
Kasumi Ishikawa, the no.4 seed, beat Portugal’s Fu Yu (11-5, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4). Hina Hayata, the no.13 seed, overcame Singapore’s Zeng Jian (11-9, 11-6, 11-8, 11-4), whilst Miu Hirano, the no.7 seed, defeated China’s Chen Ke (13-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9). The second round matches will be played today.
