DAWEI ITTF PRO TOUR GRAND FINALS 2001

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CLOSE MATCH WITH SAIVE AND WANG

13/01/2002
Peter Jensen, ITTF
Tianjin, China

Jean-Michel SAIVE sent a clear message  at the Dawei Pro Tour Grand Finals this week: Maybe I got older – but I can still compete with the very best in the World.

On Sunday Jean-Michel SAIVE forced the World Champion WANG Liqin out into 6 close games before he had to surrender. SAIVE even had the lead 2-1 and in the 4^th he followed WANG all the way.

“I knew I had to play high risk against WANG, as long as you are holding back he comes after you. Of course I am disappointed, I felt I once on twice was in position to become the winner, but at least it is nice to know that I can still be close to beating the World Champion”, says Jean-Michel SAIVE who can go home with two good checks. 8000 US Dollars for finishing nr. 1 on the Pro Tour Standings and 10.000 US Dollars for reaching the semi-finals.

“SAIVE played very well today, and he received my service excellently. I am still a slow starter in this system playing to 11, and I am not happy with the way I perform at the key points”, says WANG Lqini who will face his compatriot MA Lin in the finals.

MA Lin beat CHIANG Peng-Lung 4-2. CHIANG started out best but slowly MA Lin found out how to block CHIANG’s forehand and that made the difference in favour of MA Lin.