by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Listed at no.11 on the current Women’s World Rankings and the no.8 seed in Stockholm Germany’s Han Ying faced Japan’s 18 year old Miyu Kato, presently listed at no.17 in the global order.
The attributes required were displayed in full by the teenager, determined but yet controlling her emotions, she recovered from a two games to nil deficit to record as a quite dramatic seven games success (10-12, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-3, 5-11, 11-8).
Notably in the seventh game she led 5-3 at the change of ends before at 9-6 being in sight of victory. She lost the next two point but she lost no more; victory was secured.
“I played Han Ying here last year and I lost four-nil, in the first two games I attacked too much and made mistakes; from the third game onwards I varied the play more, instead of always attacking, I varied the play by pushing the ball at times.” Miyu Kato
Success for Miyu Kato contrary to status, it was the same for Singapore’s Yu Mengyu but not for China’s Zhu Yuling or Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem, for whom it was predicted.
Yu Mengyu, who had been required to compete in the qualification tournament, beat Japan’s Hina Hayata, the no.11 seed (9-11, 12-10, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-3); conversely Zhu Yuling, the no.2 seed, overcame Miyuu Kihara, also from Japan (11-4, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9), Doo Hoi Kem, the no.14 seed, ended the hopes of Portugal’s Fu Yu (8-11, 16-14, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3).
“I received service very badly in the first four games; her style of play, the pen-hold style just using one side of the racket is very different, I have very rarely played against that style. After her service she was very strong, very powerful so if you are not receiving service well you have big problems. In the open game when there were rallies I felt confident; as the match progressed I received serve better. In the sixth game I was more patient.” Doo Hoi Kem
In the second round Miyu Kato meets Yu Mengyu, Zhu Yuling opposes Doo Hoi Kem; the matches will be played on Friday 17th November.
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