Hsiung Nai-I holds firm to make Women's Singles main draw
15 Sep 2016
Comeback victories often require rigorous ambition and determination, resulting in nothing but praise for the winning player. However, often overlooked are the nerves of steel from a player who loses three consecutive games from 3-0 ahead, and still manages to pull off the victory despite all the psychological pressure.
Hsiung Nai-I of Chinese Taipei accomplished exactly that in her opening encounter with Ng Sock Khim at the 2016 World Tour SheSays China Open.
Chinese Taipei's Hsiung Nai-I stands strong in Chengdu (Photo: Deng Xiaozhao)
by Simon Daish
Holding on for Victory
Hsiung was participating in the Women’s Singles preliminary round, with a place in the main draw up for grabs. Despite Ng Sock Khim (Malaysia) being seeded eight positions lower than the Chinese Taipei competitor, by no means was Hsiung certain to qualify; a tough match was expected.
Two of the opening three games went to deuce as both players started off fairly evenly matched, but it was Hsiung who established the early command in the tie moving 3-0 up. Then Ng struck back, raising her game to take three consecutive ends of her own to force a decider.
The momentum was with Ng and with the disappointment of letting the lead slip, surely Hsiung was in deep trouble. However, it was quite the opposite as Hsiung crushed her opponent in the final game to book her spot in the next round.
“I haven’t play matches for a long time, so acutally I am not very familiar with the opponent” said Hsiung Nai-I. “Before the match, I even thought I may lose.” Hsiung then spoke about her mental approach to the seventh end having let a 3-0 lead slip beforehand, “My coach tells me to be firm, and do not be afraid of the loss. So at last I just enjoyed my game and don’t care much about the final result.”
Miserable Day for Malaysia
Lee Yearam of Korea Republic is through to the main event, following a straight games victory over Malaysia’s Chang Li Sian Alice (11-6, 11-5, 12-10, 11-3) and the disappointment wasn’t about to stop there for Malaysia..
Day one really was a day to forget for the Malaysians as Lee Rou You became the third player from the country to exit in the Women’s Singles tournament, with Lin Chia-Hui (Chinese Taipei) dealing out a 4-0 win (11-2, 11-6, 11-9, 11-4) ensuring that no representatives from Malaysia would qualify for the main draw. After the match Lin said she was happy with her efforts against Lee:
“This is my first match in this tour. The opponent is not very strong and I am satisfied with my performance today. Everything in the venue is good.” – Lin Chia-Hui (Chinese Taipei).
Disappointment for Lee Rou You and her fellow countrywomen from Malaysia (Photo: Deng Xiaozhao)
