The top seed, Doo Hoi Kem justified her top billing at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games by emerging success at the quarter and semi-final stage of the Women’s Singles event on Tuesday 19^th August.

In the round of the last eight, she beat Romania’s Adina Diaconu, the no.7 seed, in five games (6-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-3,11-6); before overcoming Lily Zhang of the United States, the fourth seed (11-1,5-11,11-8,11-9,11-6) in the penultimate round.

Quarter-Final

“In the first game, she was very nervous, it was a quarter-final, so of course there was extra pressure”, said Zhang Rui, the Hong Kong coach sitting courtside. “After she lost the first game I told her to change the receive of service and use the backhand; after she won the second game, she calmed down, I kept telling her she had to be patient.”

The backhand was the modern day technique of forearm vertical, wrist relaxed and the racket circumnavigating the ball to produce a mixture of sidespin and topspin.

Doo Hoi Kem asserted her authority on the contest as matters progressed; more and more she became the favourite in the rallies.

Semi-Final

“She played very well today”, smiled Zhang Rui, the Hong Kong coach, sitting quietly courtside. “After she lost the second game I told her to make some changes to her service but that’s top secret; today she was confident and, like this morning against Adina Diaconu, she was composed and patient.”

Confident most certainly and it was a lightning start for Doo Hoi Kem; the first game was quite breath-taking.

“I think I played well, I was able to adapt quickly for this match; in the first game, I was able to get into a situation fast and recorded a 10-0 lead”, said Doo Hoi Kem. “With the large crowd in the venue shouting and cheering for me, I really felt excited and happy!”

The cries of “Jia You” rang around the Wutaishan Gymnasium; play stronger, play harder. Doo Hoi Kem responded.

 “It’s unbelievable that I have now made it to the finals and guaranteed a medal for Hong Kong”, Doo Hoi Kem added. “For the gold medal match tomorrow, I will try my best to win the title!”

Article by: Ian Marshall

Photo By: Rémy Gros