Thursday, June 11, 2009
11:26 PM
ITTF Pro Tour Japan Open - Lucky Losers for Ma Ming Lu and Zena Sim
Two players plus two “Lucky Losers” progress from each group to the main draw in the Women’s Singles event; a fact of which Ma Ming Lu is very grateful of. She suffered defeat against higher ranked opposition, finishing her group stage matches in the last spot. Against South Korea's Shim Se Rom, she lost 11-4, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6. She then suffered under the hands of host nation's Fujii Yuko, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7, 12-14,11-5. Meanwhile, Sim Kai Xin Zena is not as lucky. She finished in the last spot of her group but the not manage to win the other ticket into the Main Draw. She lost to South Korean Yang Ha Eun in straight games, 11-4, 11-1, 11-3, 11-8. Earlier, she faltered against a Japanese lady, Wakamiya Misako, 10-12, 11-8, 11-3, 11-4,11-5.

Together with 4th and 5th Seed, Sun Bei Bei and Yu Meng Yu, our paddlers manage to secure 3 spots in the Women's Singles Main Draw. Sun Bei Bei's and Yu Meng Yu's will be taking on 2 japanese ladies, Yamamoto Mari and Wakamiya Misako respectively. On the other hand, Ma Ming Lu will be playing against Top Seed, South Korea's Defender Park Mi Young.

It was not a good day for our Men's Team as well. Pang Xue Jie is no match for South Korea's Lee Sang Su and Japan's Takakiwa Taku. He lost 11-7, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11,11-5 and 11-5, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4 to his opponents respectively. Liu Zhong Ze is another unlucky soul. He was defeated by host nation's Matsudaira Kenji and South Korea's Cho Eon Rae. Ma Liang is the only player to enjoy a game of success. He lost to Japan's Kasahara Hiromitsu in the first game. However, he did not let that defeat affect his emotions. 2 hours later, he took Tsuboguchi Michikazu, also from the host nation, in 5 games. He won 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5,11-9.

Despite attaining 2nd spot in his group, Ma Liang was unable to qualify for the Main Draw, leaving Yang Zi as the sole warrior left in the Men's Singles Event. His 1st opponent will be Japan's Kasahara Hiromitsu, the Japanese who defeated Ma Liang in the group stage.

Our Men's Doubles qualifiers Liu Zhong Ze/Pang Xue Jie were unable to progress any further as well. They lost to Japan's Kasahara Hiromitsu/Tsuboguchi Michikazu, which happen to be in the same group as Ma Liang in the Men's Singles Event. Zhong Ze/Xue Jie lost 9-11,6-11,11-6,5-11. Yang Zi/Ma Liang will be the only pair rpresenting Singapore in the Men's Doubles Event. The 2nd Seeds 1st round opponents are Muramatsu Yuto/Shiono Masato.

Top Seed Sun Bei Bei/Yu Meng Yu will join hands with Sim Kai XIn Zena/Ma Ming Lu in the Women's Doubles Event. Sun Bei Bei/Yu Meng Yu receive a walkover in the first round due to the lack of women doubles participating in the event, while Zena Sim/Ma Ming Lu will have to challenge Japan's Hirano Sayaka/Hiura Reiko. Similar to Zena/Ming Lu, they are also made up of defence and attack players.




please contact us at sttnews@live.com.sg for any suggestions or enquires