Lin Hon Ming, Cause of First Round Shock Maintains Form in Rabat

The perpetrator of the biggest upset in the first round of the Boys’ Singles event at the 2013 ITTF World Junior Championships in Rabat by beating Japan’s Asuka Sakai, the no.9 seed, Hong Kong’s Li Hon Ming continued his outstanding form to reach the third round of proceedings by emerging successful on the morning of Saturday 7^th December in his second round duel.

He beat Korea’s Park Chan-Hyeok in six games (15-13, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8) to replicate the form of one day earlier.

Neat compact, moving well and with Zhang Rui, sitting courtside as his advisor, the 17 year old maintained his composure and focus to emerge successful.

“Yes, I’m very pleased with my win today over Park Chan-Hyeok, he’s a very good player; Koreans are always good players”, said Li Hon Ming. “Yesterday, I was really pleased to beat Asuka Sakai; I had a very good coach, he really helped me and gave me lots of ideas.”

The coach in question was Chan Kon Wah; vastly experienced having himself played at the highest levels.

Success against Park Chan-Hyeok but it was hard fought success with critical points emanating in the fifth and sixth games.

In the fifth game Park Chan-Heok called “Time Out” when trailing 7-8; he recovered and proceeded to win the game. In the sixth game Li Hon Ming called “Time Out” when leading 8-5 as Park Chan-Hyeok mounted a recovery. The break worked in favour of Hong Komg.

“After the first “Time Out” I served too long, I served badly”, reflected Li Hon Ming. “After the second “Time Out” I served much better, I served towards his backhand more often.”

Success for Li Hon Ming who had to negotiate the qualification stage of proceedings and there was success for one further player who was not seeded.

China’s Korea’s Lim Jonghoon beat Rajko Gommers of the Netherlands (11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-6), the player who one round earlier had ousted Frenchman, Mehdi Bouloussa, the no.14 seed (11-4, 9-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-6).

Meanwhile, for the leading names in the lower half of the draw it was success for the leading names.

Japan’s Masataka Morizono, the no.2 seed, beat Germany’s Kilian Ort (5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9), Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, the no.4 seed, ousted Portugal’s Diogo Chen (7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8); whilst China’s Zhou Qihao, the no.7 seed and Frenchman, Enzo Angles, the no.8 seed, both enjoyed success.

Zhou Qihao beat Hong Kong’s Lam Siu Hang (11-6, 11-9, 11-2, 11-8), Enzo Angles defeated Croatia’s Filip Zeljko (15-13, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8).

Video : Li Hon Ming looks back at his progress to round three in Rabat

Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall
Photo by: Rémy Gros