Singapore Women Table Tennis Team becomes the world champion in
2010 World Table Tennis in Russia. Singapore beats China 3-1.
Congratulation !
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5/30/2010
LIEBHERR 2010 World Team Table Tennis
Championships
Beaten by China in the final of the women’s event at the Evergrande
Real Estate World Team Championships in Guangzhou in 2008 and in
the same year in the final at the Beijing Olympic Games; Singapore
caused one of the greatest upsets in the history of table tennis,
when on Sunday 30th May 2010 in the Olimpijsky Sports Complex, they
beat China by three matches to two.
Amid dramatic scenes Feng Tianwei sank to knees after securing the
crucial point to beat Liu Shiwen and secure Singaporeb their first
ever title at a World Championships.
It was sheer sensation, for those who had the privilege to be
resent, they will relate the tale of the day to children,
grandchildren with enthusiasm and indelible memories.
Feng Tianwei was the heroine, in five games she beat both Ding
Ning and Liu Shiwen with Wang Yue Gu also defeating Liu Shiwen; the
one Chinese success came from Guo Yan.
In the third match of the duel, she defeated Sun Bei Bei.
No Change
Both coaches selected the teams that had succeeded in both the
quarter-final and semi-final stages; there was no place in the
Singapore line up for the experienced Li Jia Wei nor the much
improved Yu Meng Yu who has risen from no.32 on the ITTF Women’s
World Rankings at the start of the year, to a current position of
no.10.
Equally China omitted both Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxia; the non
selection of Li Xiaoxia was to be expected, early in the year she
underwent an appendix operation; however, the omission of Guo Yue
did raise eyebrows.
Wealth of
Experience
Although only 21 years old she has a wealth of experience, the
winner of the Women’s Singles title at the Liebherr World
Championships in Zagreb in 2007 and the runner up in 2009; she was
surely expected to play.
Coach Shi Zhihao gave youth its opportunity just as his
predecessor, Liu Yuansheng, had done six years earlier when at the
age of 15, Guo Yue beat Zhang Rui to secure gold for China at the
Liebherr World Team Championships in Doha.
Play Harder
“Jiao You, Jiao You” rang out loudly in the tiered seating as Ding
Ning captured the first game against Feng Tianwei; her services
caused her adversary, currently the world no.2, problems and most
certainly the 2005 World Junior champion was motivated.
Left handed, a clenched right fist greeted every success as her
speed started to overwhelm Feng Tianwei; after winning the first
game, she won the first six points of the second game before Feng
Tianwei replied.
She surrendered only two more points, the Chinese supporters were
delirious; Feng Tianwei was being reduced to the role of being a
ball girl. Ding Ning was giving her no time to execute her powerful
strokes.
Wise Time
Out
In the second game, obeying the orders of her supporters to play
harder, play stronger, Ding Ning established a 4-2 lead, the
Singapore camp called “Time Out”; the Chinese supporters cheered
and applauded in unison, one member of the faithful deciding it was
time the crack a cymbal in my right ear just in case Ding Ning
could not hear the cries of her supporters.
However the efforts of China’s Ringo Starr did not produce an
immediate success; a rejuvenated Feng Tianwei captured the game
with Ding Ning not in the fast lane as in the previous two, more
tentative as she saw the finishing line.
Took Stock
It was time for Ding Ning to take stock and follow orders, she did
just that; Shi Zhihao had clearly given instructions that the first
stroke in the rally should be directed towards the backhand of Feng
Tianwei.
The orders were followed to the letter, she moved ahead 8-3 with
Feng Tianwei having few problems returning the Ding Ning service
but experiencing problems with being unable to unleash her powerful
forehand.
At 8-5, Shi Zhihao called “Time Out”, the cries of “Jiao You, Jiao
You” drowned out the music.
Nervous
Ding Ning appeared nervous as Feng Tianwei levelled at 9-all; At
10-9 Feng Tianwei held game point, it was converted.
Feng Tianwei was now the more positive player; she attacked the
service which too often drifted long whilst Ding Ning returned
service more often than not with heavy backspin directed into the
body of Feng Tianwei.
Ding Ning Ahead, Feng Tianwei
Recovers
A fifth game beckoned, there had been a major transformation in the
match; at the change of ends Ding Ning led 5-2, the level of the
rallies at a higher standard than before with Ding Ning on two
occasions being driven into the deep grass and effecting high
lobbed topspin returns to delight the crowd.
Nevertheless, Ding Ning could not stamp her authority on
proceedings as she had done in the first two games, Feng Tianwei,
levelled at 5-all; long rallies followed, both in favour of Feng
Tianwei.
The next two points with Ding Ning serving were over quickly, both
to Ding Ning; the next two points shared, tension filled the
air.
Recovery
Completed
“Jiao You, Jiao You” rang around the stadium; then match point to
Feng Tianwei; Ding Ning served, the return was weak, too high. Ding
Ning went for a fast forehand topspin, the ball clipped the top of
the net, it flew long.
Feng Tianwei, outclassed in the first two games had performed a
quite remarkable recovery; Singapore had the early lead.
Opportunity
The pressure was now firmly on the shoulders of Liu Shiwen, like
Ding Ning 19 years old; for Wang Yue Gu, like Liu Shiwen born in
Liaoning Province, it was a golden opportunity to etch her name in
table tennis history books.
Wang Yue Gu was in the fast lane, she moved into a 7-1 lead,
carefree, fast, devastating from the backhand.
However Liu Shiwen is brave, inside the China doll exterior their
lies braveheart, she reduced the arrears to 7-8. However, she never
gained parity.
The first game went to Wang Yue Gu.
Wang Yue Gu
Positive
Wang Yue Gu confident, positive established a 6-3 lead in the
second game; she stayed close to the table, she made full use of
the angles, she forced errors from the racket of the world
no.1.
The Chinese supporters gasped as Wang Yue Gu moved ahead 8-4; the
level of play rose, a stupendous out-of-this-world rally saw Liu
Shiwen win the next points, both ladies for their efforts deserved
ten bonus points. It was table tennis magic.
However, it was only one point, Wang Yue Gu captured the game, she
was two games to nil ahead.
Liu Shiwen
Responds
Wang Yue had commanded the first two games by excelling over the
table and forcing errors from Liu Shiwen.
In the third game the errors from the racket of Liu Shiwen
disappeared, she dominated matters and allotted Wang Yue Guo only
two points.
The Chinese supporters led by Mr Tambourine Man were back in full
voice.
“Jiao You, Jiao You, Jiao You”.
Rapid Fire
Rapid fire exchanges greeted the start of the fourth game with Wang
Yue Gu enjoying the better of the early exchanges.
She went ahead 5-2; Liu Shiwen called “Time Out”, the Chinese
supporters called “Jiao You”, a group of Singapore supporters
chanted “Singapore” but it was a whisper when compared with their
Chinese adversaries.
Liu Shiwen levelled at 5-all, Singapore coach Zhou Shuseng called
“Time Out”.
The fast exchanges continued; neither player able to establish a
definitive lead, at 10-all it was parity; then after yet another
long rally it was match point to Wang Yue Gu; converted.
Sensationally, Singapore led by two matches to nil!
Stunned
There was an air of amazement around the Olimpijsky Sports Complex;
the Chinese supporters were stunned.
When was a Chinese Women’s Team last in a situation when they were
trailing by two matches to nil?
Also First
Appearance
Guo Yan was next into the arena and although a member of the
Chinese National Team at previous World Championships, it was, like
Liu Shiwen and Ding Ning, her first appearance in a World
Championships final.
Statistically Guo Yan was the clear favourite, they had met twice
before on the international scene and twice Guo Yan had won.
Consistency
However, full of confidence and wishing to emulate her colleagues,
Sun Bei Bei captured the first game but Guo Yan replied
immediately; her consistent topspin play enabled her to dominate
the second game.
Again, continuing to play with a high level of consistency, her aim
to keep the ball on the table longer than her opponent, Guo Yan
captured the third game.
The Chinese supporters rose in unison.
Safety First
Guo Yan continued the safety first policy, she went ahead 4-2 in
the fourth game, Zhou Shunsen called “Time Out”. The players
returned, in trying to attack quickly, Sun Bei Bei made
mistakes.
Guo Yan went ahead 6-2; a gap had been created, Guo Yan continued
to play methodically, no risks. The policy bore fruit.
China had reduced the arrears to one game; it seemed to write
“China had reduced the arrears”; had I ever written that before
when referring to Chinese female players?
History
Three previous meetings in world ranking events and three wins for
Liu Shiwen; that was the historical evidence; the most recent in
March 2010 when she beat Feng Tianwei in the Women’s Singles final
at the Volkswagen Cup in Guangzhou.
However, in Moscow Liu Shiwen was facing the most severe test of
her career.
Nerves
Nervous tense moments, few long rallies saw Feng Tianwei capture
the first game and silence the Chinese supporters.
In the second game, Liu Shiwen took the early advantage but Feng
Tianwei levelled at 4-all; Shi Zhihao called “Time Out”.
Initially, the break worked for Liu Shiwen as the level of the
rallies rose, she moved ahead 9-6.
Liu Shiwen followed the tactic that Ding Ning had employed by
regularly returning the service into the backhand of Feng Tianwei
with backspin.
Game Points
Saved
However, with chants of “Singapor, Singapore” reverberating around
the stadium, Feng Tianwei levelled at 9-all.
The next point went to Liu Shiwen but at 11-10 it was advantage
Feng Tianwei, she had four further game points before at 16-14, Liu
Shiwen clinched the game.
China on the
Precipice
Executing consistent topspin strokes, Feng Tianwei raced into a 5-0
lead in the third game. Feng Tianwei maintained the advantage, she
was playing positively, Liu Shiwen was being forced into the
passive role.
Zhou Shuseng stood to his feet with the score at 10-7 in favour of
Singapore; Feng Tianwei, shook her head, clearly she did not want
the “Time Out”. However, the umpire placed the clock on the table
and the “Time Out” was taken.
Furthermore, Feng Tianwei won the next point!
China was on the precipice.
Prime
Importance
Consistency was now of prime importance, Liu Shiwen was consistent
but the heavy topspin strokes of Feng Tianwei had time and again
reaped rewards.
Liu Shiwen moved ahead 7-4, fast counter attacking rallies, she
maintained the lead but Feng Tianwei recovered to level at
9-all.
The next two points went to Liu Shiwen, the Chinese supporters
rejoiced; “Jiao You, Jiao You” time and again.
Crucial Game
Attacking strongly, Feng Tianwei won the first three points of the
fifth game before Liu Shiwen replied; at the change of ends the
heavy topspin strokes of Feng Tianwei were paying dividends.
She led 5-3, then extended the lead to 8-4; a sensation was being
anticipated.
The noise of “Jiao You” was deafening. Feng Tianwei moved ahead 9-4
at 10-6 she held four match points.
Liu Shiwen saved the first match point, not the second.
Sensation
Sensation, sheer drama, unbelievable; Singapore, champions of the
world.
