4/15/2007        LIEBHERR Brazilian Open

Seeded in the number two position, Tie Yana beat Russia’s Svetlana Ganina in four straight games to reach the final of the Women’s Singles event at the Liebherr Brazilian Open in Belo Horizonte on Sunday 15th April 2007.

Tie Yana won 15-13, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6

It was the third time they had met on the ITTF Pro Tour, honours in the two previous meetings having being shared.

In February 2006 in the second round of the Women’s Singles event at the Liebherr Qatar Open, Tie Yana had won in straight games but one year later in the third round at the Croatian Open success had gone to Svetlana Ganina.

Little to Choose
There was little to choose between Svetlana Ganina and Tie Yana in the opening game.

The fact that the Russian was prepared to attack when the opportunity arose forced errors from the Hong Kong player. At 9-all in the first game, they were level, neither player being able to force home the advantage. Both had game points until with the scores level at 13-all, Tie Yana won the next two points to secure the first game 15-13.

Patient
In the second game Tie Yana played with more patience than in the first. Consistent forehand topspin after consistent forehand topspin, then when the chance arose an attacking stroke with minimal spin.

The fact that Tie Yana could change from topspin to flat fast attack is a skill few possess. England’s John Hilton became European champion and confessed it was something he could never do! The ability of Tie Yana to perform the change of emphasis is credit to her immense skill. She can make the ball talk!

Memory
However, there is sometimes a downside to Tie Yana.

In the words of coach, Li Huifen “She has a bad memory!” The lapse in concentration became evident in the second game. Svetlana Ganina levelled at 9-all playing consistently with errors flowing from the racket of Tie Yana. However, at 9-all Tie Yana switched the focus button to `on’ and won the next two points to move into a two games to nil lead.

Defending Difficult
Defending against a player who has a range of topspin strokes is to say the least difficult!

Svetlana Ganina was aware of this fact and when the chance arose in the third game, she attacked. However, in the third game the Tie Yana memory was good. She had been given clear instructions by coach, Li Huifen to be patient. She followed the instructions of her mentor and established an 8-4 lead.

Svetlana Ganina made life tough; she made Tie Yana fight, the young lady from Hong Kong was in resolute mood. She won the third game 11-6.

Confident
More confident as a result of being three games to the good, Tie Yana attacked strongly at the start of the fourth game. She moved into a 6-2 lead, the stage at which Svetlana Ganina decided that a re-think was necessary. She called `Time Out’.

It was only a temporary reprieve of execution. Tie Yana attacked from both backhand and forehand with equal aplomb. She extended her lead to 7-3; Svetlana Ganina kept trying, she made Tie Yana work for every point and Tie Yana worked.

She won the fourth game 11-6 and was through to the final of the Women’s Singles event at the 2007 Liebherr Brazilian Open in Belo Horizonte.