Wednesday, November 11, 2009
4:09 PM
Euro-Asia Cup - Gao Ning Contributed the Valuable 1st Point!
Under the huge coverage with 10 TV cameras on the spot, the second leg of the Euro-Asia All Stars Event started this afternoon in Istanbul. Biggest stars of world sport gathers in ultimate challenge in the prestigious battle between the crème de la crème of two Continents.

Although Asia is at the lead 3:2 at the end of the opening day of the second leg of Euro-Asia All Stars Event, Old Continent still has a chance tomorrow. China's Wang Hao, Singapore's Gao Ning and Chuang Chih Yuan of Taipei collected the points for Asia whilst the victories from German Timo Boll and Dane Michael Maze keep the European dreams alive.

"The match is still open," said Timo BOLL who played fantastic duel against Joo Se Hyuk. "It is shame that Vladimir Samsonov could not do more against WANG Hao after 1:1. Anyway we will try to make a turnover tomorrow." Not only the fantastic duels , but the fully crowded hall, enthusiastic fans, and enormous TV coverage gave a mark today.

Gao Ning bt. Kreanga 3:1 (8:11, 11:8, 12:10, 11:6)
Kalinikos Kreanga of Greece and Gao Ning of Singapore play at the opening. Asian player gave his team advantage in the match. Kreanga took an early led and with superb finish won the first game of the match. Gao Ning had very few answers to Kalinikos lethal attacks. Nevertheless the in second game, it was the world's number 26 from Singapore that forced Kreanga to run for his points. The pressure just pulls out the best of World's number16. The play at the edge of exhibition and superb style that Kalinikos is famous of, heated the crowded hall in the Istanbul.

Unfortunately, for the European team after 5 each Gao took the control and leveled the match eventually. Gao leveled and after fierce battle in the third game and 12:10 for the Asian player the match had only one way.

Michael Maze bt. Li Ching 3:1 (11:9, 11;9, 9:11, 11:9)
Michael Maze won both matches in Beijing, and he kept his record clean in Istanbul. In the second match of the day, European champion from Stuttgart Maze put himself in the similar position like Kreanga before. European star won the first game easily against Li Ching and only minutes latter, he trailed 5:7 in the second game. Hong Kong's player failed to capitalize on that advantage; Dane leveled and took the second game.

Li finally took the chance in the third set and recovered from two games reverse. Hong Kong's player ranked no. 20 in the world even led in the fourth game 7:6, but Maze stayed unbeaten in the Euro-Asia All Stars Series.

Wang Hao bt Vladimir Samsonov 3:1 (11:5, 4:11, 11:9, 12:10)
The duel between world's number one WANG Hao of China and newly crowned World Cup champion Belarus Vladimir Samsonov showed great display of power from the Chinese star. In furious start, Wang took the lead in the first game and left Samsonov with only five points.

Samsonov forced Wang to taste some of his medicine in the second game. In a split second, he had a led 6:1 and eventually left WANG on 4 points on his way to level the game. With game in the pocket of each player the real battle started. Wang raised the pressure at the finish, but Samsonovsaved three game points before Asian coach Chan Kong Wah was forced to take a time out at 10:9. The decision was right and Wang was in the lead once again.

Cheered by the enthusiastic crowd Samsonov had 10:9 for two games all. However, Wang sealed the match with the victory in superb style.

Boll Timo bt. Joo Se Hyuk 3:2 (11:6, 11:4, 4:11, 10:12, 11:4)
The Europe's no. 1 Timo Boll maintained his patience to overcame the defensive skills of Korea's Joo Se Hyuk. He had dominated the meters at the start of the match. German closed any opportunity for adversaries to threaten him in two opening games.

In third set Joo had a chance for a first time in the match. Korea's player had a lead 6:4 and the change of rhythm gave him further advantage before he took the third set.

Boll struggled at the beginning of the fourth game, but not for long. German set the pace and though it looked like he will end the match, Joo raised the game and leveled the match. At two games each, once again spectators were given a chance to watch a thrilling duel. The outstanding strokes put the crowd in to the fire and pull out the best from both players. At the end Boll brought back Europe in the match escorted with the standing ovations from the tribunes.

Chuag Chih Yuan bt. Werner Schlager 3:0 (11:9, 11:6, 12:10)
Chuang Chih Yuan of Taipei gave Asia an opportunity to have a rest between two competition days with the lead in the second leg of the Euro-Asia All Stars Series. Taipei's player overcame experienced Werner Schlager. Ranked number 17 Chuang exceeds his rankings -and beat former World champion in straight games. Schlager put some extra pressure on Chuang only in the final set, but then it was too late to reverse the game.

First competition day finished with Li Ching exhibition match vs. Turkey's hope Gencay Menge. LI Ching won 3:0.

Today's line up will be as follows:
Li Ching vs Werner Schlager
Chuan Chi Yuan vs Kalinikos Kreanga
Joo Se Hyuk vs Vladimir Samsonov
Wang Hao vs Timo Boll
Gao Ning vs Michael Maze




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