05/12/2012        2012 Final World Olympic Qualification Tournament

Spain was the country with the greatest cause for celebration, as matters came to a close on a tension packed third day of play, Saturday 12th May 2012, at the Final World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Doha.

Carlos Machado brought the second round of the Men’s Singles event to a close by beating Great Britain’s Paul Drinkhall in a full seven games distance duel (11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-5).

One hour later colleagues Galia Dvorak and Sara Ramirez followed suit, both living on the proverbial knife-edge.

Both recorded thrilling seven games victories in their Women’s Singles quarter-final encounters.

Furthermore, both recovered from deficits to secure victory.

Four Recoveries
All four Women’s Singles quarter-final duels were tension packed affairs with, in each instance, the eventual victory being required to mount a recovery.

Sweden’s Matilda Ekholm lost the first two games against Hong Kong’s Li Ho Ching, before winning the next four (9-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6, 11-7); whilst in the contest that concluded the round of the last eight, the Czech Republic’s Dana Hadacova fought back from a three games to two deficit to beat Russia’s Anna Tikhomirova (11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 4-11, 10-12, 13-11, 11-7).

Centre Stage
However, it was Galia Dvorak and Sara Ramirez who took centre stage.

Galia Dvorak recovered from a three games to one deficit to beat Russia’s Yana Noskova (11-7, 7-11, 8-11, 3-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-3), before Sara Ramirez came back from a two games to nil and three games to two deficit to overhaul Portugal’s Lei Huang Mendes (6-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7).

Centre Stage
The wins recorded by Galia Dvorak and Sara Ramirez means that Spain has now three female players who are potentially qualified to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

London Place Beckons
Shen Yanfei booked her place one year ago as a result of her World ranking following the GAC GROUP 2011 World Championships in Rotterdam.

A place in the Women’s Team event in the ExCel Arena in late July beckons for Spain.