China Regains Asian Women’s Team Title
September 20, 2007

Guo Yue

Courtesy of ITTF China won the Women’s Team title on home soil at the China Mobile Asian Table Tennis Championships in Yangzhou on Wednesday September 19, 2007 to regain the title they had surrendered two years earlier when the tournament was held in the Korean city of Jeju. At the final hurdle China beat Singapore by three matches to nil but the margin of victory was much closer than the score line suggests.

The Singaporean trio of Li Jia Wei, Sun Bei Bei and Wang Yue Gu gave spirited resistance against star studded team of Zhang Yining, Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxia.

Daunting Task
Facing a team that included the reigning Olympic champion and the reigning World champion is for anyone a daunting task; nevertheless, the Singaporeans were not overawed and they gave their illustrious adversaries nervous moments in a fixture that last some two and a quarter hours.

Splendid Effort
Li Jia Wei, who had suffered illness earlier in the year forcing her to withdraw from the Liebherr Chile Open in April and a player, who had not enjoyed the best of form on the ITTF Pro Tour until she won the Women’s Singles event at the Chinese Taipei Open in August, gave a splendid performance.

Clearly her confidence had received a major boost after beating Haruna Fukuoka in the semi-final duel against Japan, a player against whom she has lost time and again.

Tested
In opposition to Guo Yue she tested the most successful player of 2007 to the limit; only in the fifth game was Guo Yue able to really assert her authority on proceedings, her fast forehand topspin wide to the Li Jia Wei forehand proving the telling factor.

Responded
Next on court was Sun Bei Bei for Singapore and Zhang Yining for China.

In similar vein to Li Jia Wei, Sun Bei Bei gave a splendid performance; she brought the best out of Zhang Yining. The reigning Olympic champion duly responded, she won the crucial points, her backhand being as solid and reliable as ever; her forehand topspin as devastating as ever.

Captivated
Two-nil ahead for China the next two protagonists were Li Xiaoxia for China and Wang Yue Gu for Singapore.

It was contest that kept the crowd captivated as Li Xiaoxia executed topspin strokes from both backhand and forehand in the style of Zhang Yining and Wang Yue Gu attacked with her backhand and fast forehand in the style of Deng Yaping.

Full Distance
The duel went the full five games distance and it seemed that the verdict was going the way of Wang Yue Gu; in the fifth and deciding game she led Li Xiaoxia 8-4; the point that took her to that stage being a rally of the highest order with the final cross court forehand executed by Wang Yue Gu, off balance, leaving Li Xiaoxia dumbstruck.

Perfect
However, from that moment onwards, Li Xiaoxia was `Miss Perfection’; she never made an error, her topspin play was immaculate. She won seven consecutive points to win the match and clinch gold for China.

There was a broad smile on her face but the biggest smile was on the face of Zhang Yining; she was preparing to play Li Jia Wei in the vital fourth match; it was a match that never took place.

Played Well
“I thought the Singapore team played very well, we appreciate the efforts that they made”, said Zhi Zhihao, the Chinese Nation Team Women’s Coach. “The Chinese players are of a slightly higher level but Singapore did their best, it was a very good effort on their behalf.”

Most certainly it was a very fine effort and both Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxia in particular experienced problems. “The styles of their opponents caused them problems”, continued Zhi Zhihao. “Nevertheless, they both won and of course it’s good to have the title back!”

Certainly, the coach was pleased and he was pleased with the efforts of Li Xiaoxia.

First Time
“It’s the first time she has played in a Women’s Team event final in China”, he explained. “Playing in China in a big match is different, the atmosphere is different.”

Undoubtedly that is the case, the table tennis players are treated like the sporting superstars they are.

“At the start of her match against Wang Yue Gu Li Xiaoxia was nervous and Wang Yue Gu is the more experienced player”, continued Zhi Zhihao. “Li Xiaoxia had some problems but she overcame those problems, she overcame adversity, I’m very pleased with her progress.”

He had every right to be pleased.

Result
Guo Yue beat Li Jia Wei 11-6, 7-11, 15-13, 10-12, 11-4, Zhang Yining overcame Sun Bei Bei 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-4 while Li Xiaoxia succeeded against Wang Yue Gu 7-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8.

The Chinese Women’s Team
Photo by ITTF Asia Office