Defeat in her opening match on the first day of play against Germany’s Wu Jiaduo but a place in the main draw secured courtesy of success against Brazil’s Caroline Kumahara; Hong Kong’s Jiang Huajun was the player in form on day two at the 2014 Women’s World Cup in the Austrian city of Linz.

She upset the pecking order in the first round of affairs late on the morning of Saturday 18th October.

The no.13 seed, in a most controlled manner, she beat Korea’s dancing queen and no.4 seed, Seo Hyowon in five games to reserve her place in the quarter-finals (11-9, 11-7. 11-6, 2-11, 11-8).

Second Meeting
It was the second time that the pair had met on the international scene and it was the second time that Jiang Huajun had emerged successful but it was a much different contest from their previous encounter.

In the first round of the Women’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2012 ITTF World Tour Korea Open, Jiang Huajun had emerged successful by the minimum two point margin in the deciding seventh game (9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 4-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9).

Well Prepared
“Last time I was not so familiar with her style of play; today was the first time that I had played her in a major tournament, so I made sure that I was really well prepared”, said Jiang Huajun. “Also, in the past two years she has climbed the rankings and she has won ITTF World Tour tournaments.”

At the time of the duel in Korea, Seo Hyowon stood at no.51 on the Women’s World Rankings, she rose to a career high of no.8 earlier this year in April, May and June; she is now at no.10. Furthermore on the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour, she won the Women’s Singles title in both Korea and Poland.

However, in Linz she more than met her match; Jiang Huajun with coach Li Ching had worked out a plan of battle; except for a lull in the fourth game, the plan worked to perfection. Long points, keep the ball on the table and wait for the opportunity to strike.

Controlled Rhythm
Patience is golden; that quality was shown in abundance by Jiang Huajun.

“It was vital that I controlled the rhythm of the play; it also helped that I played two matches yesterday, whilst for Seo Hyowon it was her first match”, added Jiang Huajun who had beaten an opponent who is very different to previous Korean defenders.

Seo Hyowon is prepared to attack much more than her predecessors Kim Kyungah and Park Miyoung; it makes her a most difficult adversary.

“All the time you must be ready, she keeps you under pressure”, concluded Jiang Huajun.

Pressure, it was Jiang Huajun who applied the pressure, a quarter-final place was reserved.

Article by: Ian Marshall

Photo by: Agentur Diener