US Open: China moves forward
US Open Review
Friday, July 5, 2002
ITTF Press Releases
QIN WINS REMATCH, ELIMINATES TOP SEED WANG LIQIN
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Experienced table tennis enthusiasts drew a big bold circle at the top of the draw in the second round of Mens Singles at the US Open Pro Tour. Top seed WANG Liqin (CHN), by the luck of the draw, faced doubles partner QIN Zhijan (CHN) in a rematch of the China Open finals.
Cautiously probing, the pair traded games to 2-2. Early in the 5th, left handed QIN seized an advantage and began to win important exchanges by opening down the line, backhand to backhand.
Frequently, WANG gave ground and allowed QIN time to run around the corner and bring his heavy forehand into play, securing the match, 8-11, 13-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9.
In other second round action, Werner SCHLAGER (AUS) trailed 3-1 before rallying past CHANG Yen-Shu (TPE). Torben WOSIK (GER) continued his march through Europe's best, eliminating Danny HEISTER (NED) in 5 games.
In the last second-round match of the day, Fredrik HAKANSSON (SWE) survived two game points in the 6th against RYU SEUNG Min (KOR).
After landing two spectacular point blank backhands to save the game, the Swede gained the advantage with a squatting deep forehand counterloop, then called an unusual timeout on his own match point, serving 14-13. He returned to the table and calmly stroked a powerful third ball forehand to win 11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 10-12, 15-13.
Third round Men's Singles and Women's Singles play resumes on Friday morning at 10:45 EST.
IT STILL LOOKS CHINESE
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Sixteen players remain alive in Mens’s and Women’s Singles as play begins on Friday at the US Open Pro Tour.
On the men’s side Chinese players remain in contention in three of the four quarters. QIN Zhijan (CHN) looks to continue his run against Hugo Hoyama (BRA) and Torben WOSIK (GER) will face LIU Guoliang (CHN) in the top quarter. The top half of the draw also features LEUNG Chu Yan (HKG), fresh from his upset of WANG Hao (CHN), playing Thomas KEINATH (GER). Werner SCHLAGER (AUT) is due to play LEE Chul Seung (KOR).
The third quarter will put the winners between KONG Linqhui (CHN) vs. CHEUNG Yuk (HKG) against the winner of CHUAN Chih-Yuan (TPE) vs. OH Sang Eun (KOR). In the bottom half of the draw, LIU Guozheng (CHN) will face Frederik HAKANSSON (SWE), and MA Lin (CHN) takes on Karl JINDRAK (AUT).
On the women’s side, play has followed form in the top three quarters of the draw. Third round upset included seeded LI Nan (CHN) losing to ZHANG Rui (HKG) 14-12, 6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-7. ZHANG will confront Nicole STRUSE (GER), upset winner over An KONISHI (JPN).
CHINA MARCHES FORWARD
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Three Chinese men and 4 Chinese women remain as the US Open Pro Tour reaches the quarterfinals. But the hopes of Europe and Hong Kong are not yet extinguished.
Frederik HAKANSSON (SWE) continued his inspired play, dominating defending US Open Pro Tour Champion LIU Gouzheng (CHN) in 5 games.
The Swede overpowered LIU in the first two games 11-4 and 11-6. Liu righted his ship, winning the 3rd game 11-3 but could not muster enough power to get through an energized HAKANSSON who closed out the match 11-9 and 14-12.
Werner SCHLAGER (AUT) struggled past LEE Chui Seung (KOR) in 7 games.
World #86 Thomas KEINATH (GER) had an easier time looping through LEUNG Chu Yan (HKG) 4-2 to give Europe 3 men among the final 8.
CHUAN Chih-Yuan (TPE) prowled the red carpet with authority, loop his way past OH Sang Eun (KOR) in 6 games to join KONG Linghui (CHN), MA Line (CHN) and LIU Gouliang (CHN) in the quarterfinals.
In Women's Singles play, 3 players from Hong Kong are set to challenge 4 Chinese players for spots in the semi-finals. NIU Jianfeng (CHN) faces GUO Yan (CHN), ZHANG Yining (CHN) will play ZHANG Rui (HKG), top seeded WANG Nan (CHN) will play LIN Ling (HKG) and the only remaining Korean, RYU Ji Hye (KOR) is scheduled against LAU Sui Fei (HKG).
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