Impressive starts, comfortable victories were the order of proceedings for Hong Kong on the opening day of play at the ZEN-NOH World Team Championships in Tokyo but on the second day of action, Tuesday 29^th April, both the men’s team and the women’s team experienced problems.

The women negotiated the difficulties, the men did not.

In the initial contests, Hong Kong had recorded a three-nil win over Ukraine in the Men’s Team Championship Division; whilst in the counterpart Women’s Team Championship Division success by a similar margin had been posted against the Czech Republic.

Jiang Tianyi recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Kou Lei (7-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-4) in the contest against Ukraine. Tang Peng increased the lead by overcoming Oleksandr Didukh (11-9, 11-7, 11-8) with Wong Chun Ting concluding matters by defeating Ivan Katkov (12-10, 13-11, 11-6).

Likewise, it was a most impressive start from the Hong Kong Women’s Team, with Lee Ho Ching leading by example against the Czech Republic.

She beat Iveta Vacenovska (9-11, 17-15, 6-11, 11-3, 11-6) to give Hong Kong the ideal start.

“It was the first match and I was nervous”, said Lee Ho Ching. “She is very strong with the first three attacks after her service; I tried to concentrate and in the fifth game I played more consistently.”

A good start by Lee Ho Ching was followed by most impressive performances from Jiang Huajun and Ng Wing Nam. Jiang Huajun beat Hana Matelova (7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8); Ng Wing Nam overcame Renata Strbikova (11-7, 11-9, 11-9).

Successful starts for both outfits but on the second day of play a different story.

Ukraine proved a formidable opponent in the Women’s event for the trio of Lee Ho Ching, Jiang Huajun and Ng Wing Nam. Hong Kong trailed by two matches to nil before recovering to seal a hard earned victory.

Tetyana Bilenko beat Lee Ho Ching (11-9, 11-8, 11-9) to give Ukraine an excellent start, before Margaryta Pestoska extended the advantage for Ukraine by overcoming Jiang Huajun (11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 9-11, 11-3).

Facing a surprise defeat, Ng Wing Nam led the recovery. She overcame Ganna Gaponova (11-6, 11-8, 11-3), before Jiang Huajun accounted for Tetyana Bilenko (9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6) to set the scene for Lee Ho Ching to complete the recovery.

She duly obliged; she beat Margaryta Pesotska in four games (7-11, 11-5,11-7, 11-4).

A close call for the Hong Kong Women’s Team, it was defeat for the Men’s Team of Jiang Tianyi, Tang Peng and Wong Chun Ting. They suffered a three-one defeat against Croatia with Andrej Gacina the nemesis.

He beat Jiang Tianyi (11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 14-12) and Tang Peng (14-12, 11-8, 11-9) in a three-one success. The one remaining win for Croatia came from Tomislav Kolarek in the third match of the fixture; crucially he beat Wong Chun Ting in a full distance five games engagement (9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 2-11, 12-10)

The one success for Hong Kong was recorded in the very first match of the contest; Tang Peng accounted for Tan Ruiwu (11-8, 11-8, 11-5).

Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall