Saturday, December 13, 2008
10:23 PM
ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals - Wang Yuegu nails down Kim Kyung-Ah, Feng Tianwei prevailed against Liu Jia
Joy and Sorrow is the order of the day, with 2 paddlers proceeding and 2 being ousted out.

Singapore's paddler Wang Yuegu prevailed in a neck-and-neck game against South Korean Kim Kyung-Ah to enter the women's single semifinals in the ITTF table tennis Pro Tour Grand Finals on Saturday.

It took Wang one and half hours to book a 7-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3, 11-9 win against the South Korean.

The two players had a fierce game and leveled at 3-3 to enter the winning seventh set. World No. 11 Kim, who eliminated defending champion Li Xiaoxia from China the day before, had an early lead but Wang called time out to receive advice from Coach Jing Jun Hong. It was a question of mental fortitude and great patience with the tactic of waiting for the right ball to attack and then attacking strongly towards the elbow of her adversary's playing arm that brought rewards.

Throughout the duel matters were on the proverbial knife-edge; at 9-all it was parity, Wang Yue Gu kept her focus, she did not panic, she secured the next two points and a place in the penultimate round.

"Kim is a strong player, but I think she was a little bit tired in the seventh set," said Wang after the game, "She defeated Li Xiaoxia yesterday and I think that made her tired."

In another women's single game, Chinese Guo Yan cracked down Li Jiawei from Singapore12-10, 11-6, 11-4 and 11-4 to advance into the semifinals. Li Jia Wei started as the more confident player, she attacked quickly from the forehand with her topspin play, and her short backhand service directed to the Guo Yan forehand reaping success. She established a 10-6 lead but then promptly lost six points in a row. The opening game loss shattered the confidence of Li Jia Wei whilst her adversary grew in stature. Guo Yan totally dominated matters and will be meeting Wang Yue Gu in the Semi-Finals.

Despite the defeat, Jiawei was rather satisfied with the outcome of the game.

In the lower half of the Draw, our paddlers suffered the same fate. Feng Tianwei succeeded in another gruelling seven games encounter against Austria's Liu Jia, whilst compatriot Sun Bei Bei suffered a straight game defeat against 2nd Seed Guo Yue.

Feng Tianwei won 11-4, 7-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7 whilst Bei Bei lost 11-9, 12-10, 11-7, 11-7.

Wang Yue Gu will face Guo Yan at 1400hrs, while Feng Tianwei will take on Guo Yue at 1530hrs. The finals for the Women's Doubles which consists of Li Jiawei/Sun Bei Bei and Kim Kyung Ah/Park Mi Young will take place a 1900hrs.




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