Beaten at the semi-final stage of the Under 21 Women’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour German Open in Bremen by the host nation’s Petrissa Solja, Doo Hoi Kem returned to action later in the day on Friday 20^th March to cause a major upset in the first round of the Women’s Singles event.

In a tension packed contest, she accounted for Japan’s Ai Fukuhara, the no.5 seed (3-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 10-12, 14-12).

“Before the match I said to myself that I should just do what I am learning; I did not play so well in the first game, I was not so confident”, said Doo Hoi Kem. “In the second I was lucky on some points so I managed to win the game; then she started to hurry and she made many mistakes.”

Doo Hoi Kem reaped the benefit of the errors.

“At three-one I really wanted to win so I unconsciously put more pressure on myself”, added Doo Hoi Kem. “At three-three I changed my tactics a little and I won the match.”

Alas for Lee Ho Ching, it was to be the reverse scenario; the no.10 seed, she was beaten by China’s Che Xiaoxi (11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5,11-4).

Equally in the Women’s Doubles event Doo Hoi Kem was in form. In partnership with Lee Ho Ching, the no.7 seeds, they accounted for Russia’s Maria Dolgikh and Polina Mikhailova (6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8) to book their place in the semi-finals

Meanwhile in the opening round of the Men’s Singles event it was mixed fortunes for Hong Kong.

Yuto Muramatsu beat Hong Kong’s Tang Peng, the no.9 seed in a tense full distance seven games duel (11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 9-11, 3-11, 13-11), whilst conversely Wong Chun Ting caused an upset by beating Austria’s Robert Gardos, the no.13 seed (11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9);

“I was leading three-one and 6-2; then I became very nervous and allowed him back into the match; when it came back to three-all, I told myself I had nothing to lose so I just attacked”, said Yuto Muramatsu after beating Tang Peng. “This is the biggest win of my life, so I am very, very happy.”

Similarly, in the Men’s Doubles it had been disappointment for Tang Peng; partnering Wong Chun Ting and occupying the top seeded position in the draw, the duo suffered a first round defeat at the hands of Croatia’s Tan Ruiwi and Poland’s Wang Zengyi, the reigning European champions (11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-7).

Article by: Ian Marshall