Spinning and smashing to win
In only its second appearance at the Commonwealth Games,
competition in the Table Tennis events is proving to be fierce,
with many winners at Manchester returning to defend their
titles.
The Singapore Women's team, a hot favourite, was a force to
be reckoned with, defeating the New Zealand team 3-0 in a fast and
furious clash.
The match saw the world's number three, Jia Wei Li, challenged
early and taken to four games by spirited New Zealander Yang Jiang,
who won the first game 11-9.
In the Nigeria versus Sri Lanka match, Ganiyat Ogundele (NGR) was
surprisingly taken to five games by Ruhansi Wijekoon (SRI), but won
the fifth game easily to take the match 11-2.
Meanwhile, Canada showed its team's dominance after comfortably
accounting for Uganda 3-0. The class of Mo Zhang overshadowed her
opponent and inspired the team to go on and win convincingly.
In their match against Fijian the experienced Malaysian team,
headed by Lee Wei Beh, was evident after a convincing 3-0 victory.
Beh was confident in her opening match and showed signs of what she
has to offer in upcoming matches.
Wales' Naomi Owen, Bethan Daunton and Siwan Davies won their games
respectively, beating Mauritius 3-0.
England opened its campaign with a resounding victory over Vanuatu.
England's Joanna Parker, Kelly Sibley and Georgina Walker each won
their games against Vanuatu's Priscila Tommy, Anolyn Lulu and Kerry
Mok respectively, carrying the team to a 3-0 victory.
In the mens draw, Singapore enters as slight favourite over
defending champion England.
India and Nigeria are also favoured to make the semi-finals, while
Australia, New Zealand, Wales and Canada are teams to watch.
Recent results in the mens team event have seen Singapore defeat
Trinidad & Tobago 3-0, a repeat of their earlier victory over
Fiji. South Africa has opened its campaign with a 3-0 victory over
Vanuatu.
