Wang Nan Gains Revenge and Tamara Boros Wins a Marathon
September 28, 2007

Courtesy of ITTF In 2004 in the Galatsi Stadium in Athens, Singapore’s Li Jia Wei had ended the reign of China’s Wang Nan as the Olympic Women’s Singles champion; three years later they once again met in a major competition, the group stage of the Volkswagen Women’s World Cup. On this occasion the verdict was different, it was success for Wang Nan. She won in five games, succeeding 11-4, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4.

Meanwhile, in the corresponding match in Group `B’ it was Europe versus Oceania with Tamara Boros beating Miao Miao in a marathon encounter.

Tamara Boros won 12-109, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 10-12, 6-11, 18-16!

Better Start
Wang Nan made the better start in her contest with Li Jia Wei, from the backhand she was dominant, creating angles, moving the Singaporean out if position and forcing weak returns.

She won the first game in style.

Closer
However, the second game was much closer but at the crucial stage when trailing 7-8, the service of Li Jia Wei drifted long.

Wang Nan attacked with venom, it was the turning point in the game; the next two points both went the way of China and Wang Nan was two games to nil ahead.

Seized Initiative
However, in the third game it was Li Jia Wei who seized the initiative from the very first point; she established a clear lead but when in danger that’s when Wang Nan excels.

She reduced a 2-8 deficit to 6-9. It prompted Singapore coach Liu Guodong to call `Time Out’. The next point went to Wang Nan when a somewhat tense forehand topspin from Li Jia Wei flew long.

However, she composed herself, won the next two points and thus reduced the match arrears to one.

Fourth Game
The fourth game saw quite the reverse. Wang Nan established a lead and at 9-6 looked virtually home and dry.

She had won a series of points by playing wide to Li Jia Wei’s forehand but the Singaporean recovered to trail 9-10. Sensing danger Chinese coach Shi Zhihao called `Time Out’. It was a shrewd move. Wang Nan won the next point and was three games to one ahead.

Fifth Game
The fourth game under her belt Wang Nan was confident.

In the fifth game she was the more positive player, she stayed close to the table throughout and duly prevailed.

Styles
The clash between Tamara Boros and Miao Miao was a total contrast in styles. The Croatian is a powerful attacking topspin player who uses reversed rubber on both sides of the racket; the high thrown service her trademark.

Miao Miao, by comparison, is not so powerful; speed playing close to the table is the key to her success. She is also a shakehands grip player like Tamara Boros but there the likeness ends. Miao Miao uses short pimples on both sides of the racket; her specialty is when playing over the table.

Opening Game
The first games was close, the rallies short, both players were trying to establish a rhythm to their play, both were finding it difficult but by the narrowest of margins it was Tamara Boros who succeeded.

One game under her belt Tamara Boros played more confidently in the second games; she established a 10-8 lead; Coach Neven Cegnar called `Time Out’, the players returned and Tamar Boros duly won the next point to move into a two games to nil lead.

Recovery
However, Miao Miao kept following her policy of fast attacks and it paid dividends, she recovered to win the third game but in the fourth it was the power of Tamara Boros that prevailed.

The Croatian led three-one.

Recovers Again
However, to her great credit Miao Miao maintained her composure and duly won the next two games, the fifth was close, the sixth more comfortable with the Australian’s speed nullifying the power of the Croatian.

Seventh Game
The deciding game was on the proverbial knife-edge. Miao Miao led 5-4 when the players changed ends but at 7-all it was parity. The next two points went to Tamara Boros, Miao Miao called `Time Out’.

Miao won the next point but at 10-8 it was match point Croatia; Miao Miao saved both match points.

Long Rally
A long rally ensued at 10-all with Miao Miao erring with a comparatively straightforward forehand but as composed as ever she levelled. The next point went to Tamara Boros, again Miao Miao levelled!

Once again at 13-12 following a powerful backhand it was match point for Tamara Boros, again serving Miao Miao saved! Next point to Tamara Boros, next point to Miao Miao; it was 14-all; then match point to Miao Miao, her first.

Brave
Now Tamara Boros saved the match point with a brave forehand topspin and duly won the next point when Miao Miao returned the service into the net. A long rally ensued won by Miao Miao, then at 17-16 it was advantage Tamara Boros; this time it was success for Croatia, a Miao Miao backhand aimed at the Croatian’s forehand flew long.

It was success for Tamara Boros.

Speed told in the opening game with Guo Yue dominant against Jiang Huajun, she gave her elder adversary from Hong Kong no time to settle; no time to play her powerful backhand. It was the lightning fast Guo Yue forehand that was in the ascendancy.

She won the first game with ease and sped ahead 8-1 in the second.