The runner up in Kuala Lumpur three years earlier, playing in her seventh Women’s World Cup, 28 year old Jiang Huajun was the player in form as the second day of play, Sunday 22^nd September 2013, drew to a close at the STARTS Women’s World Cup in the Japanese city of Kobe.

She accounted for Spain’s Shen Yanfei in five games (10-12, 11-8, 11-2, 11-7, 11-8) to book her place in the penultimate round.

At the semi-final stage, she meets China’s Liu Shiwen, the top seed, who overcame Singapore’s Yu Mengyu in four straight games (11-6, 11-4, 11-2, 11-8), issuing a clear announcement that she has no intention of surrendering the title won one year earlier in Huangshi. 

After a somewhat slow start, Jiang Huajun assumed control of matters against Shen Yanfei; a controlled forehand topspin stroke followed by the famed powerful backhand, the side of the racket on which she uses short pimpled rubber, brought success.

Jiang Huajun grew in confidence; it was a far different performance from the straight games defeat she had suffered last year at the semi-final stage of the Women’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2012 ITTF World Tour German Open, when beaten in four straight games by Shen Yanfei.

It was much more akin to her five games win in the final of the Women’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour Spanish Open in Almeria, when she had succeeded in five games, as today in Kobe.

 “I lost to Shen Yanfei on the ITTF World Tour in Germany last year but earlier this year in Spain I won”, said Jiang Huajun. “I think you just have to take each match as separate, it is who plays well on the day.

On the day in Kobe, Jiang Huajun played well and shouldered responsibility.

She found herself in the unusual role of being the only player from Hong Kong in action. In her previous appearances in the Women’s World Cup, Tie Yana, who holds the record of 11 appearances in the competition, is not present.

Jiang Huajun fought for the cause.

 “Today I was down in the first game but came back; it was the same in the second game”, added Jiang Huajun. “After winning the second game I played more positively and Shen Yanfei became passive; in the first two games I think I was too passive.”

Success for Shen Yanfei and it was stark contrast to the duel in Germany as it was for Liu Shiwen when compared with her contest against Yu Mengyu earlier in the day in the second group stage affair.

The morning match had been a full seven games duel between Liu Shiwen and Yu Mengyu; no doubt there had been stern words from the head coach, Kong Linghui, the second duel of the day was considerably different.

Liu Shiwen had raised her level of play after losing the first three games of their morning duel; that level was maintained from the very first point of the quarter-final duel.

The attacking play of Liu Shiwen was precise, consistent and relentless; warning signs to all title pretenders were issued with severity.

Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall

Photo By: Tetsu Yamashita