46th
World Table
Tennis Championships46th
World Table
Tennis ChampionshipsOsaka, Japan · April 23 - May 6, 2001
By Larry Hodges
North Korea d. Chinese Taipei 3-0. When Taipei’s Chen Jing, #5 in the world, lost to Kim Huang Mi (#68) in the opening match, it was obvious Taipei was in trouble.
South Korea d. Singapore 3-1. None of these were close until the last match. But if you want a nice backhand loop, you might want to watch Li Jia Wei. If you want to learn how to play chop, watch Suk Eun Mi move chopper Fern around in match three.
China d. Hungary 3-0. There’s not too much excitement when China plays – they seem to always win. However, Batorfi, world #16, gave world #2 Li Ju a run for it. It could have been 3-1!
Japan d. Romania 3-2. If Nastase had pulled out that 29-27 second game – Romania might be in the semifinals. Down 27-28, Nastase hit a backhand that hit the top of the net and popped up – and Konishi killed it to win the game. The third was all Konishi. In the third game of the fifth match, Badescu went up 7-3, then lost 21-13 to the delight of the hometown fans.
Thailand d. USA 3-2. Gao won both her matches, and the team match went into the fifth match. Jasna Reed lost the first game, and was down 20-18 game, match and team match point – but deuced it before losing 23-21.
Luxembourg d. USA 3-2. This was their final match as they finish 20th.
Canada d. USA 3-1. None of these matches were really close. The hot/cold Kurt Liu showed why he is hot/cold. And while David Zhuang can move loopers in and out all day, you can’t do that with a pure pips-out hitter like Johnny Huang.
Vietnam d. USA 3-0. Their playing for experience now – so David and Eric rest.
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