ITTF WJC Doha Junior Open, 24-28 Jan - 2006 Boy's Doubles Final SONG Shichao-YAN An CHN vs MATSUDAIRA Kenji-UEDA Jin JPN MC and Radio Personality Ed Baxter is whipping the close to capacity crowd into a frenzy in true American style. The large chinese community from the Bay area have come out in full force to support the chinese. Kenji Matsudaira hopes to emulate his little brother Kenta who won the World Junior Boy's Singles last year by also taking a second WJTTC gold medal to the Matsudaira home The japanese have only lost 1 game so far while the chinese were lucky to escape against the koreans earlier. Japanese to start warm favorites but should be a very open final. Both teams pumped in an even start 3-3 game 1. Chinese break away though 9-4, before taking the first 11-5, with a brilliant explosive backhand. 1-0 to the chinese Again 3-3 start to 2nd. Strong attacking from both sides, whoever gets in first generally taking the point, 6-6, 8-8,9-9. A fast, heavy backspin return of serve to the backhand of the japanese seperates the deadlock giving Song and Yan the 2nd game Japanese hold a narrow lead all game to 7-5 when the chinese win the next 3 points prompting a timeout from the japanese coach. A big lob smash rally goes the way of the chinese pair and on to a 10-8 lead and 11-8, for a 3-0 lead. Chinese dominant in the 4th as they race to the title 11-4, 4-0 in games. For Song and Yan, elation after the disappointment of their quarterfinal losses in the singles. Boy's Singles Semi Finals Europe's big hope and junior champion Mikhael Paykov of Russia faces off against Xu Ruifeng of China. Xu as the sole remaining chinese boy was extremely fortunate to remain in the hunt trailing World Junior Circuit Finals champion Seo Hyun Deok of Korea 0-3 in the quarter final before mounting a huge comeback. Paykov off to a flying start, Xu appears nervous and hesitant 8-0 first game, finally 11-3 The large crowd is encouraging the competitors. Not a good start for Xu, fault, leading to 0-4. Paykov 5-2. Local chinese community have come out in force supporting Xu and he is now fighting 7-5 Paykov. First big rally for Xu as he levels at 7-7 Change of directions catching Xu wrong footed as Paykov moves to 10-7. Finally takes the game on serve at 11-8 Paykov has the ascendancy for sure, but Xu is looking increasingly stronger. From his quarter final obviously a slow starter and I suggest we will see a stronger Xu this game. Paykov opens the third with 2 brilliant 3rd ball attacks again racing to 3-0, 4-2. Xu levels at 4-4 and again at 5-5 and takes the lead for the first time in the match at 6-5, an ominous sign? An edge ball gives Paykov back the lead at 7-6 and a brilliant inside out forehand topspin far from the table wide to Xu's forehand takes it to 8-6. Paykov moves to 10-8, misses a relatively easy finishing ball, 10-9, and a pushing mistake levels at 10-10. Xu's goes to his first game point on a strong topspin and takes the game against the flow of play as the chinese dominant crowd erupts. 2-1 Paykov. Paykov's 2 missed oppurtunity of 2 game balls to go to a 3-0 lead could be costly as Xu moves into stronger form. Xu's first good start in any game 4-2, 6-4,7-5 No Xu looking confident and aggresive, Paykov more passive. Xu takes the 4th 11-7 to level at 2-2. Paykov has a real battle now to stay in the match as Xu races to 8-3,body language is not good. Paykov gives away the last point 11-3 for Xu. Hard to seeing him coming back from here. Paykov starts well 2-0 before a net ball clearly upsets him-not a good sign, but goes to 4-2. Xu with clever return of serve wide to the forehand levels at 4-4. At 6-5 for Xu, coach and former world elite backhand specialist Andrez Mazunov calls timeout in an attempt to rise his player for the final charge. Good tactics as Paykov wins the next 2 points. Scores locked at 8-8 A great rally allows Paykov again 2 games points 10-8. Can he convert this time? Despite a great topspin-topspin rally Paykov could not convert as Xu levels at 10-10. Another game point for Paykov, but again fails to convert 11-11. 4th game point to Paykov with a strong backhand. Again a lucky net ball prevents Paykov from taking the game. A simple pushing error gives Paykov his fifth game point but a huge topspin-topspin rally goes Xu's way 13-13 as Xu's coach this time calls timeout.Chinese crowd thumping their feet and screaming, great atmosphere. Match ball to Xu with a strong backhand. No mistakes from Xu as he cleverly topspins into the body of Paykov and takes the match. Chinese crowd delirious. Paykov left to rue the many missed oppurtunities.... All korean semi final:Jeong Sang Eun and Lee Sang Su. Jeong has looked the better player so far in the tournament, while Lee has often been nervous in key moments. When playing someone from the same country results are not so predictable. Not many rallies. Both appear good at neutralising the other's weapons. Jeong led 2-0. Lee took the next 2, 2-2. Jeong 3-2 and 8-5, 10-9 match point and takes the match 11-9 Boy's Quarter Finals European Champion,Mikhail Paykov of Russia, the last surviving european male,against Yan An of China, who last round defeated Paul Drinkhall of England from 1-3. Paykov, last month had match point in the final of the World Junior Circuit finals before succumbing to Korean, Seo Hyun Deok. Paykov off to a great start 3-0, before an 11-2 reverse by Yan.3-1. Paykov looking good at 5-1,8-2 and 10-4 in the 5th before Yan mounted a huge comeback saving 6 match points to 10-10. Paykov however settled and took the game 12-10 The sole european survives to fight another day... Kenji Matsudaira, older brother of last year's winner Kenta, facing Lee Sang Su of Korea 2-2. Can he emulate his brother's world title of last year? No is the answer,4-2 Lee No 1 seed Song Shichao of China against strong contender, Jeong Sang Eun of Korea. Song without a coach in his corner looked lost, Jeong 4-0. 10-5 in the final game. At 10-6 Jeong hit the winning shot only for a late "let" to be called. Some nerves were present as Song moved to 8-10 but that was the end of his run and the best player won. Xu Ruifeng of China vs Seo Hyun Deok of Korea, a great match anticipated with Seo winning the World Junior Circuit finals only a month ago. Seo 3-0 to 3-2. Xu in full voice now and Seo looking passive, 7-3 to Xu in the 6th. Takes the 6th 11-6. Xu's fist is pumping at 3-0 in the final game. Timeout Seo.Didnt help 5-1, 8-3 for Xu before taking the final game 11-4 coming from 0-3 to save face for the chinese boys as the sole survivor Semi finals matchups: 2 koreans in the top half-Jung and Lee. In the bottom half Paykov[RUS] vs Xu[CHN] Quarter finals - Junior Girls; Solja GER vs Li CHN 4/1 Amelie takes the first one 15-13..and the second one 20-18 !!!.. There you go ! Amelie Ishigaki JPN vs Wen CHN 1/4 8-11 in the third.. 6-11 in the fourth.. doesnt look for Ishigaki.. Ishikawa JPN vs Yang CHN 1/4 8-11 in the third game.. Good match.. Fast rallies.. 5-11 in the fourth as the wheels are falling off for the young Japanese Samara ROU vs MU CHN 0/4 Samara no chance .. Started 0-6 in the first game .. Junior Boy's Singles Last 16. Salifou[FRA] the form player of the teams event, with 2 wins against China, in a tough fight with Jeong San Eun, finally going down 2-4. Huge match next in the quarters against No 1 chinese Song. Kenji Matsudaira[JAP] looking to emulate his brother's feats of 2006, took out chinese hope Zhang Shengwunan 4-2 in a strong performance. Paykov[RUS] looking comfortable against Mancini[BRA] leading 3-0, but relaxed somewhat in the 4th, before taking the match 4-1 Trent Carter's[AUS] brave run which included PengFei of Turkey and Kai of Japan, was ended by No1 seed Song of China, but not without a fight. 4-1, but Carter had 10-6 in the last. Included point of the tournament with alternating lobs and chops from the back barrier for multiple balls, completed with a running smash close to the table from the Song dropshot. Yang[CHN] vs Drinkhall[ENG] just on court-much anticipated match. Drinkhall out of sorts yesterday but managed to win. Looking stronger today taking the first comfortably 11-6. Looking good also at 7-5 in the second before easy mistakes turned it to 8-10 and finally 9-11 after a great exchange on game point. In the third it was Drinkhall's turn to turn the tide, down 5-8 before winning 11-8, 2-1 Drinkhall. Another strong game for Drinkhall 3-1. At 8-8 in the 5th, Yang broke away to take the next 3 points to be down 2-3 Yang very strong in the 6th, 11-3 to level at 3-3. Final game, Drinkhall 6-3, Yang 7-6, timeout Drinkhall. Didnt help 11-6. Last 8 points to Yang Xu[CHN] too strong for Japanese defender Miuchi currently 4-0 Korean Lee Sang Su comfortably defeated Japanese Ueda Jin 4-1 Chen Po-Huang[TPE]-Seo Hyun Deok[KOR] Chen up 3-1, before Seo levels at 3-3 and takes the match 4-3 Live Updates for: 2007 WJTTC in Palo Alto, USA Junior Girls singles; Wen Jia CHN def Pesotska UKR 4/0 7-0 in the first game and that was it. Li CHN def Partyka POL 4/1 Good match by Partyka who took the first game and then came close to win the third. Solja GER def Kim KOR 4/1 Strong performance by Solja who looked sharp from the beginning applying here usual safe and odd playing style. Ishigaki JPN def Cheng TPE 4/1 Close first game with Ishigaki coming back after a poor start. The Japanese defender advances to the quarter final. Yang CHN vs Hsung TPE 4/0 Easy win for one of the favourites Mu CHN vs Wakamiya JPN 4/1 Wakayama very close to go up 2-0..But failed to take advantage Ishikawa JPN def Troshneva RUS 4/0 Here comes a new superstar from Japan. Samara ROU def Zhang CAn 4/2 Good hard fought win for Samara in a close encounter Full commentary on all matches on the final day's play at the 3rd World Junior Table Tennis Championships in Linz, Saturday 17th December 2005, will appear below. Two left handers contested the Boys' Singles final at the World Junior Championships in Linz on Saturday 17th December 2005; a quite unusual occasion in the history of the World Junior Championships or the senior equivalent. The two players in question were Ptrick BAUM of Germany and Jun MIZUTANI of Japan. Both previous Boys' Singles final in the World Junior Championships had seen two right handers in action whilst in the Men's Singles final at a World Championships two left handers have never met in the Men's Singles final. In fact only three left handers have ever been crowned Men's Singles World champion. The first was Stellan BENGTSSON of Sweden, the second Seiji ONO of Japan and the third, Jean-Philippe GATIEN of France. First Game The first game saw MIZUTANI make the more positive start, he went ahead 5-1, BAUM recovered to 5-3 but the Japanese player making full use of the table re-asserted his advantage to lead 8-3. BAUM recovered to 8-4, the next two points were shared with a strong backhand from the German making the score 9-6; he then attacked strongly and won arguably the best pint of the day to make the score 9-8. He pinned MIZUTANI to the court surrounds and with a dynamic forehand won point and then the next two to lead 10-9. The Japanese teenager saved the first game point but BAUM took the next two points and was one game ahead. Second Game The long point that BAUM had won in the first game to move to 9-8 in arrears had boosted his confidence but in the second game it was MIZUTANI who took the early lead. He went 3-0 before BAUM responded. MIZUTANI extended the lead to 4-1 and maintained the advantage to 7-3; a score he had reached in the previous game before losing! Also, as in the game before he led 8-4 but this time he didn't relinquish the advantage. He won the game 11-6. Third Game In the third game it was Jun MIZUTANI who made the better start, he went ahead 3-0 before Patrick BAUM replied. Both players were of a similar style; neither powerful but both skilful with topspin rallies entertaining the crowd. MIZUTANI increased his lead to 4-1 but then BAUM levelled at 4-all and at 5-all there was nothing to chose between the two players. However, the next two points both went the way of MIZUTANI but again BAUM recovered. He levelled at 7-all but and with a fierce block from a fast MIZUTANI forehand went ahead 9-8. The Japanese boy levelled, won a thrilling topspin rally, then tamely pushed the ball in the net from a BAUM service and it was 10-all. Again MIZUTANI went ahead 11-10, again BAUM levelled, then went ahead 12-11; now it was the turn of MIZUTANI to draw level, it was 12-all. The next point went BAUM then another superb topspin rally won by MIZUTANI brought the players back to parity. Again BAUM went ahead and this time playing with control won a long topspin rally to succeed 15-13, he was two games to one ahead. Fourth Game Exciting topspin rallies continued in the fourth game with BAUM taking a 4-2 lead, then he extended the lead to 5-2 and with errors being made by MIZUTANI went ahead 7-2. The Japanese player recovered to 5-7, both players being a little tentative; however BAUM re-asserted his authority and went ahead 8-5; MIZUTANI recovered to 8-7, then levelled at 8-all. The next point went to a determined BAUM who then progressed to 10-8; another tremendous point, 10-9; then fortune for MIZUTANI a backhand topspin clipped the end of the table at the German's side it was unreturnable and the scores were level. Undaunted, BAUM won the next point, then MIZUTANI levelled; again BAUM moved ahead 12-11, again another superb topspin rally and again MIZUTANI levelled 12-all. A strong backhand drive and again BAUM was ahead, he attempted the stroke again, the ball flew off the end of the table, again it was parity and MIZUTANI took a `Time Out' with the scores at 13-all. The pause worked for MIZUTANI, he won the next two points, BAUM walked dejectedly back to coach Istvan KORPA; he had lost the game by the same margin as he had won the one previous; it was two games all. Fifth Game The close had given MIZUTANI a confidence boost, he established a 3-1 lead in the fifth but BAUM fought and recovered to 3-all. MIZUTANI moved ahead to 4-3 then ensued the point of the tournament, topspin after topspin after topspin with the umpteenth topspin seeing a BAUM forehand finish in the base of the net. It was an incredible point, a credit to both players. The Japanese boy went into an 8-3 lead, BAUM recovered to 8-6, then 8-7, then 8-all! Once again a long rally and foryune for BAUM as forehand topspin clipped the edge of the table at the Japanese player's side. He was 9-8 ahead. Attacking powerfully with the backhand he won the next point then fortune for MIZUTANI as he played a forehand that clipped the edge of the table at the German's side and was unreturnable. It was 10-9 to BAUM, coach Istvan KORPA called `Time Out', the move worked, BAUM won the next point. He was three games to two ahead. Sixth Game BAUM was now one game away from gold, MIZUTANI was one away from the silver medal. The first two points of the sixth game both went to the German, the next four to the Japanese boy. BAUM recovered to level at 4-all but could not establish a lead. MIZUTANI gained a slender lead, BAUM recovered with the former going ahead 8-7, then 9-7; MIZUTANI had breathing space. BAUM elected vto serve with the backhand from the middle of the table, the tactic did not bear fruit. MIZUTANI won the bext point and it was three games all. Seventh Game One game to decide who would take the prestigious title; a tremdous rally saw BAUM go into a 2-1 lead but MIZUTANI recovered to level at 2-all. The next point went to BAUM, MIZUTANI levelled again but the next two points both went the way of BAUM and when the players changed ends he was 5-3 ahead. He extended the lead to 6-3, then 7-3 and attacking ferociously went ahead 8-3 and then 9-3 when MIZUTANI erred when returning service. The next two points were shared and at 10-4 BAUM had match point, MIZUTANI was back from the table lobbing, a BAUM forehand kill finished in the base of the net. MIZUTANI won the next two points 10-7 but then a backhand topspin flew off the end of the table, BAUM celebrated. He was Boys'Singles champion, World Junior Championships 2005. Patrick BAUM (GER) bt Jun MIZUTANI (JPN) 12-10, 6-11, 15-13, 13-15, 11-9, 11-7 ALL REPORTS OF THE FINALS AT THE TMS CHINESE TAIPEI OPEN APPEAR ON THE ITTF PRO TOUR PAGE OF www.ittf.com Live Updates 2007 ITTF World Junior Circuit Finals & World Cadet Challenge, Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA, October 23-28, 2007 World Junior Circuit Boys Singles Final Mikhail Paykov[RUS] vs Seo Hyun Deok[KOR] European Champion Paykov couldn’t have started the tournament worse with a loss to Cuban Andy Perreira and struggling against Australian Trent Carter but since hasn’t put a foot wrong, easily defeating tournament favorite Paul Drinkhall[ENG], the winner of 4 WJC events from 4 starts, in the semi. Seo made short work of Frenchman Abdel-Kader Salifou in the semis 4-0, as he has all before him thus far. Seo takes the first 11-8. Too strong, too much variation. Second is tighter, producing more errors from Seo.Paykov does not convert his first game ball, but takes the second 14-12 Paykov keeping Seo tight in the backhand and attacking strongly through the forehand races to 9-4 and takes a 2-1 lead with a 11-6 win in the 3rd. Seo back with 11-8,2-2. Paykov is handling the big fiunal pressure better and takes the 5th 11-7 With a 3-2 game lead and 7-5 to Paykov Seo took a time out. At 9-8 it was Paykov who took the timeout. Points alternate before Seo has 2 game balls. Paykov has match ball with a brilliant down the line topspin but fails to convert.12-12. Seo finally draws level at 14-12, and 3-3. In the final game, Seo changes ends with the lead at 5-3. An edge maintains the lead at 6-4 for Seo, as well as 7-5, 8-6. 2 strong topspins gives him 10-6 and finally the title 11-6. World Junior Circuit Girls Singles Final Ma Wenting[NOR] vs Misako Wakamiya[JAP] Ma Wenting caused a big upset defeating Zhang Mo[CAN] in the semifinal after 6 successive defeats at the hands of Mo, including 4-0 in the group stage. Misako Wakamiya also reversed her earlier group result defeating the dominant player of the World Junior Circuit Elizabeta Samara of Romania 4-2 in the semi Ma Wenting looks hesitant and nervous early with many unforced errors 11-3 Strong third ball attacks to the wings and easy mistakes by Ma allows Wakamiya to open an early lead again 6-2 and 10-4 before taking the game 11-8 There is a more determined look and walk on Ma in game 3 playing much more positively at 4-1 up Heavily spun topspins by Wakamiya caused Ma to make more mistakes again and leads 8-6, before taking a tighter game 13-11. Ma still trying to play too flat and fast against Wakamiya's heavy topspins.3-0. In the 4th Ma keeps the ball short and looks to get the first attack in which works till 7-4. One short ball, followed by a strong attack to the corners gives Ma the game 11-9 Whoever opens up first wins the point and Wakamiya again does that for the most part, taking the prestigious title, 4-1, 11-8 in the last. World Cadet Challenge Boys Singles Final SONG Hongyuan[CHN] vs Thomas Le Breton[FRA] Song has been the clear favorite since he hit his first balls at the training camp 10 days ago. Le Breton while playing at No 3 in the teams event also remains undefeated in singles. Le Breton fights bravely in the first but Song's superior skills are obvious at this early stage 11-9 the first. In the second Le Breton realises he must throw caution to the wind and comes out attacking strongly-the result a 5-1 lead. Le Breton maintains his lead at 8-4 while Song looks frustrated. Song with clever angles draws level at 9-9, but Le Breton takes the second 11-9 after a long rally and an easy high ball miss from Song. Song stays close to the table forcing Le Breton back with strong counter attacks and finishing topspins to lead 5-1. Confidence gone for now, Le Breton succumbs 11-5. Song 2-1. Song now knows all the moves of the frenchman and has the answer 7-1. Easy mistake by Le Breton and game 4 goes 11-3. 3-1 Song. Le Breton is relegated to picking up balls from Songs strong attacks 6-1 and finally 11-5. Song too strong, too mature and World Cadet Champion World Cadet Challenge Girls Singles Final MORIZONO Misaki[JPN] vs TANIOKA Ayuka[JPN] After succumbing suprisingly easily in the teams final to Team Asia,0-3, Japan has bounced back with both finalists including last years winner Morizono the clear favorite against defender Tanioka. Morizono 11-4 the first, and 11-8 the second with safe topspin vs defense tactics.Tanioka rarely attacking makes the task easier. More of the same as Morizono takes the 3rd game 11-6. In the 4th Tanioka finally realises that more attacking and variation is required. The result 11-8! 1-3 to Morizono. Morizono doesnt allow Tanioka to attack in the 5th and takes the title 11-6. A bright future awaits for the dual World Cadet Champion! World Cadet Challenge Boys Doubles Final FRANZISKA Patrick[GER]-LE BRETON Thomas[FRA] vs LEE Seung Jun-SHIN In Cheol[KOR] The european pair beat red hot favorites Song[CHN] and Nomura[JPN] 3-0 in the semi, while the koreans defeated Schmidl[GER]-Szocs[ROU]. The koreans have underperformed in this event, losing 5-0 to Europe in the teams event and the only korean in the quarter finals of the singles exiting at that stage. Early errors from both pairs, 6-4 to the koreans Strong topspins take it to 8-4. 10-5 koreans, and finally 11-8 game one. Franziska and Le Breton more focused and race to 4-0. Unforced errors see scores move to 7-5, but still a lead is enough and they secure the second 11-9. An 8-4 lead to the koreans dwindling to 8-7 and timeout to the koreans. Didnt help as Europe takes the next 2 points 9-8. First game point to the europeans but unable to convert. The asians take theirs though 12-10. 2-1 Asia. Europe as in game 2, out to 4-0.Lead maintained at 6-2, 7-3, 8-4 and finally 11-4, 2-2. Lee and Shin, go to 3-0 prompting a timeout from europe coach Jarek Kolodziejczyk. The koreans have the momentum as they change ends at 5-1. The europeans body language is not good at 9-3, but make a last charge to 9-5 before the koreans take the gold at 11-7 World Cadet Challenge Girls Doubles Final HIRICI Cristina(ROU) / SZCZERKOWSKA Magdalena(POL) vs LEE Ho Ching(HKG) / YANG Ha Eun(KOR) Hirici-Szczerkowska looking for the rare oppurtunity for a European girls gold medal against the might of the asians. Have beaten 2 asian pairs to reach the final though. Europeans start the stronger against a tentative Lee and Yang 11-7 game one. Playing tighter followed by strong attacks, the asians level the scores 11-7, 1-1. Game 3 Lee and Yang take an early lead,Hirici and Szczerkowska fight back with strong attacking to lead 9-8 and take the game 11-9,2-1. The intensity is raised in Hirici and Szczerkowska's game as they are agonising close to a gold medal 5-4. Lee and Yang move to 10-7 with unforced errors from the europeans. A strong topspin and counter topspin rally brings the scores level at 10-10. Timeout for the asians. Taking the initiative Lee and Yang level the match 12-10 2-2. Huge first rally-20 topspins Lee Yang 1-0 Some loose play from the europeans allows Lee Yang to race to 5-1. Timeout Europe "Get in first" was obviously the advice as Hirici and Szczerkowska claw back to 5-5. Errors allow Lee and Yang to go to 9-5. Disappointment is evident on one side as Lee and yang take the gold 11-5 13 August 2008 WANG Nan (CHN): On the loss of the first game to Andrea Bakula : “it’s normal; my opponent is a left-handed and I don’t feel as comfortable as playing a right-handed. “ SHI Zhihao (CHN, coach): - On the team performance: "they played normal. Zhang Yining (CHN) and Guo Yue (CHN),and the doubles as well, and even Wang Nan’s first game loss is not surprising. It’s just normal since it’s the first match and we all getting adjusted to the atmosphere and rhythm”. 13 August 2008 Natalia PARTYKA (POL): On the match result: ”I am disappointed with the loss but still satisfied with how we played. We kept fighting with Hong Kong China who is a higher-ranked team. I took TIE Yana (HKG) to five games so I am satisfied with that. I feel that the Polish team is in good shape and that gives me confidence ahead of the matches to come against Romania and Germany (on Thursday)” TIE Yana (HKG): On her opponent: ”We have played PARTYKA before and she did not play so well before. Her attacks today were excellent. Even though she has an amputated right arm, she was playing better than an average player.” 15 August 2008 FENG Tianwei, (SIN): - "I am excited now. It is our team efforts that have won the contest. Everybody has to put in its best. After I lost the third set, I had to be patient and wait for an opportunity to attack. Everyone was nervous and remaining calm during the battle proved an advantage to me." - LI Jiawei (SIN): "I am sorry I lost the first match, but I played well in the double. Their style in double is very awkward. We lost to them last time we played I am really happy we won this time. We fought to today's contest as it was the final. We won´t win against China." 13 August 2008 WANG Hao (CHN): - On his single match against Kalinikos KREANGA (GRE): “This is the first match, you see, it’s different from practice. I was not yet quite well adapted to the atmosphere and the ball at the beginning but later I had better control. KREANGA used to be a gymnast and he moves easily, so I had to beat him with speed and technique." WANG Liqin (CHN): - On his double match with WANG Hao (CHN): “It’s quite normal. They are choppers while we are pushers. At the beginning we were not comfortable with their styles. Then we adjusted the drop point and techniques, and then made it.” LIU Guoliang (CHN, coach): - On the team’s performance: “the Olympic opening game is always difficult. We made full preparation for A 3-2 match and it was easier than expected. I’m very happy with their performance.” - On the team’s preparation for the match: “our opponents have different styles, especially the two choppers and they chop to different directions. KREANGA is one of our main opponents? We made careful pre-match preparation for the difficulties of the first match.” - On the performance of each player: “MA Lin’s (CHN) opponent (Panagiotis GIONIS) has a very strange style but MA Lin didn’t give him any chance. WANG Hao did better at crucial balls than KREANGA. WANG Liqin made more mistakes at the beginning because the four players’ style are different from one another; this has caused us a headache, but we can see that we are quick to adapt.” 13 August 2008 Doru GEORGE (USA, coach): On his expectations going into the match: ”We hoped we were going in to win. Of course our chances were 50-50, it was just our lucky day, what can I say. It comes down to the day, the minute.” On what gave his team an edge over you an advantage. That isn’t enough but it’s definitely a good start? The girls were just really focused” 13 August 2008 RUY Seung Min (Kor) On how he list to Thiago MONTEIRO (BRA): “in 2005, I lost to him. He knows how I play and he plays very well against me. It is more of the style and the techniques. His style is very difficult for me.” Thiago MONTEIRO (BRA) On how he beat RYU (KOR): ”He is not very confident whenever I serve. After losing a match (against Chinese Taipei) this morning, I was not very confident? But after I started the match against RYU, I felt more confident.” On the overall loss to the Korean Men’s team: ”They are faster and better on their services, and that cannot win any medals now, but it is more than that. We want to inspire the younger people in Brazil to play table tennis.”