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Success came the way of the highest rated players in each of the four groups in the opening series of matches at the GAC Group 28th Asia Cup 2015 in the Indian city of Jaipur on the morning of Friday 13th March.
China’s Liu Shiwen, the top seed, very much set the standard by beating Korea’s Yang Haeun in three straight games (11-9, 11-5, 11-3).
She was immediately followed by Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, the second seed, who in a comparatively comfortable fashion accounted for Hong Kong’s Lee Ho Ching (11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7.
“I’ve played her twice before, won one and lost one; so I knew before I started that I had to be totally focused from the very beginning as today was best of five and not best of seven”, said Feng Tianwei. “I was ready for a close match, I lost the third game because she changed her services and that caused me some problems.”
The difficulties were soon overcome following a discussion with Jung Jun Hong, the Singapore Women’s Team National Coach sitting courtside.
“Overall I think I played at a good level”, added Feng Tianwei. “Also, today I was faster than her.”
I think Feng Tianwei should add that the forehand was very much in top gear.
Similarly, Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa, the third seed, enjoyed a four games win over Singapore’s Yu Mengyu (11-8, 11-7, 5-11, 11-8) as, in the Regional Group, did Thailand’s Nanthana Komwong in opposition to India’s Mouma Das (16-14, 11-13, 11-7, 13-11).
“She uses short pimpled rubber on the forehand so it was quite difficult to get used to her style of play”, reflected Nanthana Komwong. “Also, when she returned my service with her backhand she put a great of backspin on the ball.”
Furthermore, Mouma Das took risks; trailing 9-10 in the fourth game the forehand she executed left Nanthana Komwong totally flat footed and blinking in disbelief.
“It was important to keep calm because before the match I was feeling excited about the tournament”, added Nanthana Komwong. “I tried to make sure that I played sure and safe; I did have some problems with the ball moving sideways because of the air conditioning.”
Meanwhile, in the remaining first series of matches in the group stage of the Women’s Singles event, there were successes for Japan’s Ai Fukuhara, China’s Zhu Yuling, Korea’s Seo Hyowon and Iran’s Neda Shahsavari.
Ai Fukuhara beat Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem (11-7, 11-9, 11-9), Zhu Yuling accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching; whilst Seo Hyowon mesmerised the host nation’s Poulomi Ghatak (11-7, 11-7, 11-7).
Likewise Neda Shahsavari was not to be denied; she overcame Qatar’s Aia Mohamed in an impressive manner, she won in three straight games (11-9, 11-9, 11-6).
Article by: Ian Marshall
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