Sunday, April 20, 2008
9:53 PM
ITTF Pro Tour Brazil Open - Wang Yue Gu Beats Wang Chen to Reach Women’s Singles Final
Top seed Wang Yue Gu from Singapore beat Wang Chen of the United States in the first semi-final of the Women’s Singles event at the Brail Open in Belo Horizonte on Sunday 20th April 2008 to book her place in the gold medal contest.

Wang Yue Gu won 11-6, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9.

It was the first time that Singapore’s Wang Yue Gu and Wang Chen of the United States had met in a world ranking event; a fact that may seem somewhat surprising as both are now experienced players on the international scene and both hail from China.

However, they are from different generations of Chinese players.In some respects they are similar; both use reversed rubber on the forehand, short pimples on the backhand.

Better Start
However, Wang Yue Gu made the better start in the opening game, staying close to the table she attacked quickly with the backhand; she established an 8-4 lead. It was a lead that proved to be decisive.She won the opening game 11-6.

Second Game
The high thrown forehand service by Wang Chen was very much in evidence in the second game; a sort service, the ball returned to the backhand and then a fast attack from the backhand to the Wang Yue Gu forehand brought success.

Wang Chen went ahead 8-5 but with fast attacks after the service, Wang Yue Gu levelled at 8-all.

Short rallied had been the order of the game but from parity it was the opposite scenario. Fast counter topspin rallies ensued with Wang Yue’s slightly faster attacks clinching the verdict.

She won the second game 11-9.

Same Pattern
The third game very much followed the pattern of the two that had gone before with Wang Yue Gu winning the crucial points.

The scores were level at 7-all but then the Singaporean accelerated; she clinched the next three points eventually winning the game 11-8.

She was two games to the good.

Confidence
Wang Yue Gu was now confident, she attacked quickly in the fourth game, she gave Wang Chen little time to react.

The Singaporean established a 9-7 lead. Wang Chen levelled at 9-all but the advantage was with Wang Yue Gu, she had the next two services.

She took full advantage, she succeeded on both points to win the game 11-9 and book her place in the final.

(Source: ITTF Website - www.ittf.com)




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