by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Star of the show was 19 year old Doo Hoi Kem, playing in her first Olympic Games, not the most powerful of player but her high level of consistency is a quality to be admired.
Doo Hoi Kem
In the second match of the fixture, after Lee Ho Ching had experienced defeat at the hands of the in-form Cheng I-Ching (10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 12-10), Doo Hoi Kem accounted for Huang Yi-Hua (11-9, 11-7, 11-7).
Later in the fourth contest of the engagement she brought matters to a conclusion by overcoming Chen Szu-Yu in a similarly authoritative manner (11-8, 11-6, 11-8).
“We lost to Chinese Taipei at the World Championships earlier this year in Kuala Lumpur so here we were really prepared. My coach, Li Ching told me to play my forehand, be active and put as much as possible and put a lot of top spin on the ball. I must admit I was really very nervous before the match but I think if I am nervous then I play better.” Doo Hoi Kem
Vital Doubles
Two wins from Doo Hoi Kem but it was the third match of the contest, the doubles which turned the tide.
Lee Ho Ching and Tie Yana combined to beat Chen Szu-Yu and Huang Yi-Hua in three straight games (15-13, 11-7, 14-12).
“The doubles was really opponent, Lee Ho Ching and myself just played one point at a time, we were really focused and determined.” Tie Yana
Enigmatic Coach
Success for Hong Kong who were clearly motivated by their enigmatic coach, Li Chig, the Men’s Doub;es silver medallist at the Athens 2004 Olympi Games. He was on his feet throughout the contest.
“I’ve just about lost my voice; I’m so pleased, so proud for Hong Kong to be in the quarter-finals at the Olympic Games.” Li Ching
Less Demanding
A hard fought success for Hong Kong; for Germany, the no.3 seeds, who Hong Kong meet in the quarter-finals, life was less demanding; a three-nil success was posted against the United States, the no.13 seeds.
Han Ying gave Germany the ideal start; her solid, reliable defensive play proved too secured for the right handed pen-hold attacking skills of Zheng Jiaqi, a three games to nil result was the outcome (11-9, 12-10, 11-6).
“I was so nervous before the match but I came through; Zheng Jiaqi is quite good against defence.” Han Ying
Immediately, Shan Xiaona followed suit by beating Lily Zhang in a similar manner (11-9, 11-4, 11-2), before a doubles success recorded by Petrissa Solja and Shan Xiaona brought matters to a conclusion.
However, it was a hard fought conclusion; the German duo needed the full five games to secure victory (11-9, 12-14, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7).
The quarter-final matches in the Women’s Doubles event will be played on Saturday 13th August.
