by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Well prepared Feng Tianwei and Yu Mengyu were never in doubt, clinical from the very first point.

“I’m very happy to win gold, I have won many medals in the past but every medal match is a new challenge. Today in the final it was important that we were patient and did not rush. It was important that we won the first game; that gave us confidence but always in a match that is best of five games, winning to first game is important.” Feng Tianwei

“After losing in the Women’s Team final we were very disappointed; today we were prepared; now we fight for the Women’s Singles title.” Yu Mengyu

Defeat and it was a second defeat of the evening for India; in the immediate preceding match Malaysia’s Ho Ying and Karen Lyne had caused somewhat of an upset. They accounted for Sutirtha Mukherjee and Pooja Sahasrabudhe in five games (15-13, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7).

“Winning the first game gave us confidence, we were surprised we won the second game but that made us realise we had a chance to win the bronze medal. In the fourth game Karen played really well, it’s a big advantage that she is left handed and I’m right handed. I think I’m dreaming.” Ho Ying

“I am so excited; Ho Ying is so good with the first attack that really helps me so much.” Karen Lyne

Eyes for Yu Mengyu focused on the Women’s Singles event, she now knows who she will meet, Canada’s Zhang Mo awaits.

In the one remaining Women’s Singles semi-final, Zhang Mo beat Australia’s Jian Fang Lay (11-2, 11-2, 11-5, 11-6).

“I wasn’t nervous; I just treated today as just another match. I’ve played her many times before so I know how she plays. She is very passive, she answers and doesn’t play powerfully. I use short pimpled rubber on my forehand; that helps me and makes it difficult for her.” Zhang Mo

In the corresponding penultimate round contest Feng Tianwei meets Manika Batra, the semi-finals and final of the Women’s Singles event will be played on Saturday 14th April.