by Ian Marshall, Editor
Status suggested success for Georgina Pota, she occupied the no.7 seeded position as opposed to her vastly experienced 55 year old adversary who was the no.10 seed; status was verified Georgina Pota won in four straight games (11-2, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7).
Impressive most certainly against the close to the table pen-hold blocking style of Ni Xia Lian; a technique no longer promoted. At the end of the contest it was a tearful and emotional Georgina Pota who had excelled her own personal expectations.
“She beat me like a million times before; when I saw the draw yesterday I was so afraid. In previous matches I had no chance. It is so difficult to play against her. You cannot prepare for her strokes because there are no players in Europe with that style, with whom you can practice.” Georgina Pota
At the quarter-final stage, Georgina Pota meets either Li Jie of the Netherlands or Poland’s Natalia Partyka.
Meanwhile, just as one three time champion was bidding farewell, in the men’s event a four times winner was progressing. Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the no.3 seed, beat Ukraine’s Kou Lei, the no.15 seed, in straight games success (11-2, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6).
“I was well prepared. I am very happy with my performance, since it is the first match at the tournament. I do not think Kou was on the top of his game.” Dimitrij Ovtcharov
In the round of the last eight, Dimitrij Ovtcharov meets Denmark’s Jonathan Groth.