Chinese Taipei’s Chiu Ssu-Hua caused the major upset in the quarter-finals of the Girls’ Singles event at the 2014 ITTF Junior Circuit Finals on the afternoon of Saturday 25th January in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; the seventh seed, she beat Ariel Hsing of the United States, the second seed, to book her place in the penultimate round.

Chiu Ssu-Hua recovered from a two games to nil deficit to record a six games success (5-11,6-11,11-9,11-8,11-9,11-6) and thus completed what proved a very successful afternoon for Chinese Taipei.

One match earlier, Huang Yu-Wen, the no.11 seed, had beaten Hong Kong’s Lam Yee Lok, the no.6 seed, by a similar margin (11-9, 14-12, 12-10, 7-11, 12-14, 11-9).

Defeats for Japan
Success for Chinese Taipei; it was quite the reverse for Japan, both Ayane Morita and Eka So suffered defeated.

Doo Hoi Kem, the top seed, beat Ayane Morita, the no.5 seed, in a full distance seven games duel (11-4, 3-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6) before Tamolwen Khetkhuan, the no.9 seed caused the Land of the Rising Sun more pain. She ended the hopes of Eka So, the no.3 seed (8-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8, 26-24).

Lost Opening Two Games
The victory posted by Chiu Ssu-Hua was even more surprising as Ariel Hsing secured the first two games without too much trouble; the next four games proved a very different story.

“I really could not adjust at all to the top spins of Ariel; I made many mistakes in the first two games”, said Chiu Ssu-Hua. “After the second game I tried to change the direction of my play more; also I played with much better control and made far fewer errors.”

A shock result to conclude the quarter-finals of the Girls’ Singles event and there was almost an upset in the opening contest.

Vital Stages
Doo Hoi Kem appeared to be facing defeat as the sixth game against Ayane Morita concluded and the seventh game commenced.

In the sixth game Doo Hoi Kem trailed 5-8 but then won the next two points; understandably Ayane Morita called “Time Out”. It appeared that the advantage had swung in favour of Doo Hoi Kem.

She won the next two points to lead 9-8; however, that was not the situation. Ayana Morita secured the next three points and then clinched the first three points of the seventh game.

Error Free
Zhang Rui, the coach sitting courtside called “Time Out” but when the players changed ends the momentum was with Japan; Ayane Morita led 5-1 and then extended the lead to 6-1.

Surely a Japanese victory loomed; not so, Doo Hoi Kem playing error free won 10 points in a row to secure victory and a place in the semi-finals.

Made Mistakes
“After the “Time Out” in the sixth game Ayane played short to my forehand, I made mistakes”, said Doo Hoi Kem. “In the seventh game my coach, Zhang Rui, told me that I must be patient; so I concentrated on playing consistently and not making any mistakes.”

She made no mistakes whatsoever; a place in the semi-finals was booked.

Never Ending Game
Success for Doo Hoi Kem was followed by success for Tamolwan Khetkhuan in a contest that kept all in the High Performance Training Centre glued to the action.

Tamolwan Khetkhuan lost the first game, won the next three and then trailed 8-10 in the fifth. She levelled and then on her eleventh match point succeeded, after having saved a total of three game points.

It must have been one of the longest games in international table tennis since the 11 point scoring system was introduced at the turn of the century; Tamolwan Khetkhuan succeeded 26-24!

Changing Services
“In that fifth game she kept changing her services, sometimes long, sometimes short, sometimes backspin, sometimes top spin and then she was round ready for a forehand attack”, said Tamolwan Khetkhuan. “I just kept thinking, please finish, please finish!”

It did and in totally ant-climactic circumstances; Tamolwan Khetkhuan returned service, the ball clipped the top of the net and rolled over, non-returnable. However, it should be remembered that Eka So saved match point at 11-10 with the faintest of edges; they say luck balances, arguably it did.

Close Contest
A place in the penultimate round booked by Doo Hoi Kem and Tamolwan Khetkhuan; the next to succeed was Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yu-Wen. She overcame Doo Hoi Kem’s compatriot, Lam Yee Lok in six games; a close contest and perhaps Lam Yee Lok merited a seventh games.

The first three games all went in favour of Huang Yu-Wen; all by the minimal two point margin before Lam Yee Lok recovered to win the next two.

Easier Playing
“I think today that Lam Yee Lok was just a little unlucky”, said Zhang Rui, the Hong Kong National coach who has successfully made the transition from player to coach.

“I am a new coach”, smiled Zhang Rui. “I think coaching is much harder than playing.”

It was for the new coach a day on which she could reflect with pride and perhaps she could afford a celebration in the evening. Saturday 25th January is her 35th birthday.

Place Guaranteed
Success for Huang Yu-Wen and with Chiu Ssu-Hua beating Ariel Hsing in the concluding match of the quarter-final Girls’ Singles programme; Chinese Taipei is guaranteed a place in the final.

At the semi-final stage Chiu Ssu-Hua meets Huang Yu-Wen; in the adjacent half of the draw Doo Hoi Kem opposes Tamolwan Khetkhuan.

Video : Zhang Rui reflects on the performances of Doo Hoi Kem and Lam Yee Lok

Please visit ITTF's Event Website for more information.

Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall
Photo by: Rita Taborda