2003
World Junior Championships
December 14, 2003 (Sunday)
First day of competition
The Team event is separated into 4 groups of 4 teams. In our group is
Japan, France, Australia. We played our first match against Australia this
morning.
The first match was Jackie Lee vs. Mimi Lee. Jackie played solidly and
looped very consistently from the backhand which gave the Australian a lot
of trouble. Jackie placed the ball in less predictable places and it
continually kept the Australian off balance. Jackie comes through in the
fifth game and starts the team match out with a win for the US. 11-4, 8-11,
14-16, 11-6, 11-3.
The second match was Whitney Ping vs. Michelle Beaumont. We were surprised
that Australia did not play one of their top players, Claire
Campbell-Innes, in this team match. Claire and Mimi Lee were clearly the
top two for the Aussies. Whitney took advantage and controlled her match
against Michelle Beaumont with only a small hiccup in the second game
winning 3-1. 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6.
The third match was Katherine Wu vs. Michelle Hodgson. Katherine was a bit
nervous and played inconsistently and dropped the first two games. She
settled down and started to make shots and play tactically better and won
the 3rd and 4th games to force a fifth game. Katherine fell behind early
in the game but was able to close the gap some but wasn't able to overtake
her opponent. 6-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 7-11.
The fourth match was Jackie vs. Michelle Beaumont. The first game was
close but Jackie controlled this match and won handily 3-0. 11-9, 11-6,
11-2. USA WINS! 3-1.
In the afternoon we had to play Japan. This was going to be a difficult
task. Their top 3 players world rankings are 38, 41 and 134 (and they are
still only juniors!). In the first match Jackie Lee had to play Ai Fukuhara
who was a quarterfinalist at the 2003 World Championships. Ai Fukuhara is
extremely solid player who is consistent and efficient. Jackie played well
and stayed fairly even with Ai at the beginning of each game but Ai stepped
it up each game to separate quickly. Jackie loses 3-0 but has a better
showing than I think she expected. 11-3, 11-5, 11-5.
Whitney Ping vs. Sayaka Hirano. Sayaka Hirano is currently 41 in the world
but Whitney played very competitively with her. Whitney was able to loop
first quite often and win many points by staying aggressive. Hirano is a
little too consistent for Whitney and takes the match. 6-11, 11-13, 7-11.
I was very pleased how Whitney played this match.
Katherine Wu vs. Midori Ito. Watching this match it was hard to believe
that Midori Ito was their no. 3 player. She ripped loop after loop from
both wings. This girl is fast and strong. It was very difficult to
keep
her from opening and Katherine was a little overpowered. 11-3, 11-1, 11-7.
Tomorrow morning we play against France. This match will decide who
advances to the quarterfinal. France is quite strong and are favored to
beat us. If we play very well we can win.
Signing off from Santiago,
Coach Dennis Davis
| |
| USA Table Tennis - Serving the Table Tennis Community |
| |