Olympic Media Notes: Monday 2nd August

Day Nine Highlights: Sunday 1st August Men’s Team: Round One

China (1) 3-0 Egypt (13) and , crowned world champions in 2011 in Rotterdam, gave the perfect start. They beat Omar Assar and Ahmed Saleh (EGY) in straight games (11-4, 11-7, 11-3). (CHN) followed suit; he beat Omar Assar (EGY) in a confident manner (11-4, 11- 8, 11-5). Xu Xin (CHN) overcame Khaled Assar (EGY) to end the contest (11-9, 11-7, 11-2)

France (8) 3-0 , China (11) Simon Gauzy (FRA) beat (HKG) in the second match of the fixture (11-5, 7-11, 14-12, 11-9); previously in world ranking events, he had lost all three matches when facing Wong Chun Ting (HKG). On the ITTF World Tour, he had experienced defeat in Hungary (2012), Czech Republic (2015) and China (2019). Playing his first-ever match in an Olympic Games, Alexandre Cassin (FRA) partnered Emmanuel Lebesson (FRA) to doubles success against Ho Kwan Kit and Lam Sui Hang (HKG) in the opening match (12-10, 11-8, 11-6). Emmanuel Lebesson (FRA) overcame Ho Kwan Kit (HKG) to conclude matters (12-10, 11-5, 11- 4).

Brazil (6) 3-2 Serbia (15) Not on duty in the earlier men’s singles event, Vitor Ishiy, 25 years old, saved Brazil. He played his first-ever Olympic Games and the vital concluding match of the fixture. He held his nerve to beat Dimitrije Levajac (SRB). He succeeded in straight games (11-6, 11-6, 14-12).

Hugo Calderano (BRA) remained unbeaten, but he was tested against Dimitrije Levajac (SRB) in the second match of the engagement. He needed the full five games (11-8, 11-13, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5), as he did in the fourth contest when opposing Zsolt Peto (SRB) to keep Brazilian hopes alive (11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8).

Gustavo Tsuboi (BRA) suffered agonies. In the doubles, partnering with Vitor Ishiy (BRA), the duo lost to Marko Jevtovic and Zsolt Peto (SRB), a pair that has been together for two decades (11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8). Later, in the third match of the engagement, Gustavo Tsuboi (BRA) experienced defeat when facing Marko Jevtovic (SRB). He lost by the narrowest margins (11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 6-11, 15-13).

Korea Republic (5) 3-1 Slovenia (12) Bojan Tokic (SLO), now 40 years old, won the one match for Slovenia, he beat Jeoung Youngsik (9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 12-10); a win of note, on the current men’s world rankings Bojan Tokic (SLO) is listed at no.66, Jeoung Youngsik at no.13.

Darko Jorgic (SLO), who had beaten (JPN), the no.3 seed in the men’s singles, came close against Jang Woojin (KOR). He extended the world no.12 the full seven games (7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5). Darko Jorgic is no.28 in the global order.

Winners of six ITTF World Tour men’s doubles titles, Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu (KOR), gave the Korea Republic the ideal start; they beat Deni Kozul and Bojan Tokic (11-8, 11-8, 11- 6). Jang Woojin (KOR) remained unbeaten. Additionally, he beat Deni Kozul (SLO) to bring matters to a conclusion (11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8).

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Chinese Taipei (7) 3-0 Croatia (10) Chen Chien-An and Chuang Chih-Yuan (TPE), the 2013 World championships gave Chinese Taipei the best possible start; they beat Andrej Gacina and Frane Kojic (CRO) but needed the full five games (11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 14-16, 11-5). Lin Yun-Ju (TPE) beat Tomislav Pucar (CRO) in straight games (11-7, 11-6, 11-8), Chuang Chih-Yuan (TPE) accounted for Andrej Gacina (CRO) to end matters (12-10, 11-3, 16-14).

Germany (2) 3-0 Portugal (9) (GER) started and finished matters in style for Germany. In the opening match, he partnered with Patrick Franziska (GER) to doubles success against Tiago Apolonia and João Monteiro (POR), bronze medallists at the Liebherr 2019 World Championships (17-15, 11-4, 11-9). Later he overcame Tiago Apolonia (POR) in comprehensive style (11-3, 11-9, 11-8) to conclude the fixture. Sandwiched in between, (GER) accounted for (POR) in straight games (11-9, 11-7, 11-6).

Women’s Team: Round One China (1) 3-0 Austria (12) (CHN) replaced an injured (CHN) in the Chinese Team. In her first-ever match in the Olympic Games, she partnered to doubles success against Liu Jia and Liu Juan (AUT), winning in straight games (11-4, 11-6, 11-4). Later, Wang Manyu (CHN) overcame Liu Juan (AUT) similarly to conclude the fixture (11-2, 11- 3, 11-3). In the second match of the fixture, (CHN) accounted for Sofia Polcanova (AUT) in a clinical manner (11-3, 11-3, 11-6).

Germany (3) 3-0 Australia (16) Han Ying (GER) faced Jian Fang Lay (AUS) for the second time in the tournament; in the third round of the women’s singles, she had won in straight games (11-9, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8); in the women’s team competition it was much closer, Han Ying (GER) needed the full five games 913- 11, 9-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2). Shan Xiaona and (GER) gave their Team the ideal start by overcoming Michelle Bromley and Melissa Tapper (AUS) in convincing style (11-1, 11-5, 11-4). Later, Shan Xiaona (GER) overcame Michelle Bromley (AUS) to conclude matters (11-2, 11-3, 11-9).

Hong Kong, China (4) 3-1 Brazil (15) Defeat but progress for Brazil. In the past, they have been somewhat overwhelmed by strong Asian opposition; they gave a good account of themselves against Hong Kong, major medal contenders. Caroline Kumahara (BRA) won the one match for Brazil; against the odds, she beat Lee Ho Ching (HKG) (11-8, 11-9, 5-11, 9-11, 11-6). Currently, on the women’s world rankings, Caroline Kumahara stands at no.144, Lee Ho Ching (HKG) at no.45. Lee Ho Ching and Minnie Soo Wai Yam (HKG) gave Hong Kong the ideal start; they beat Caroline Kumahara and Jessica Yamada (BRA) in straight games (11-9, 11-8, 11-9).

Doo Hoi Kem (HKG) remained unbeaten. She accounted for Bruna Takahashi (BRA) in the second match (11-3, 14-12, 11-7) before overcoming Jessica Yamada (BRA) to end proceedings (11-5, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10).

Romania (8) 3-0 Egypt (14) Dina Meshref (EGY) extended Bernadette Szocs (ROU) to five games (12-10, 11-9, 6-11, 7-11, 11-7), underlining the fact that she is a major adversary for any European.

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Daniela Monteiro Dodean and Elizabeta Samara (ROU) proved their doubles quality; in the opening match, they beat Farah Abdelaziz and Yousra Helmy (11-8, 13-11, 11-6). Elizabeta Samara (ROU) overcame Farah Abdelaziz (EGY) to end matters (11-4, 9-11, 11-9, 11- 8).

Chinese Taipei (5) 3-0 United States (9) The first-ever match for Cheng Hsien-Tzu (TPE) in an Olympic Games and a most testing encounter; partnering Chen Szu-Yu (TPE), facing Liu Juan and Lily Zhang (USA), they needed the full five games (11-6, 6-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-8). Cheng I-Ching (TPE) extended the lead by defeating Wang Huijing (USA) in emphatic style (11- 5, 11-4, 11-4). Chen Szu-Yu (TPE) defeated Liu Juan (USA) to seal the victory (11-13, 11-4, 16-14, 11-6)

Japan (2) 3-0 Hungary (10) This match was a most commanding performance from start to finish. and (JPN) beat Maria Fazekas and Szandra Pergel (HUN) in straight games (11-7, 11-7, 11-8). (JPN) accounted for Dora Madarasz (HUN) in a similar manner (11-2, 11-6, 11-6). Miu Hirano (JPN) defeated Szandra Pergel (HUN) to close the door firmly.

Looking ahead Men’s Team: Round One 10.00 Japan (Tomokazu Harimoto, , Koki Niwa) v (Australia Heming Hu, David Powell, Chris Yan) Japan (3) Tomokazu Harimoto (JPN) experienced a surprise third-round men’s singles defeat when facing Darko Jorgic (SLO). Jun Mizutani (JPN) partnered Mima Ito (JPN) to mixed doubles gold. Dimitrij Ovtcharov (GER) beat Koki Niwa (JPN) in the fourth round of the men’s singles by Appearances: lost in second bronze medal round in Beijing (2008), quarter-final in London (2012), silver medal in Rio de Janeiro (2016)

Australia (16) Heming Hu (AUS) partnered with Melissa Tapper (AUS) in the mixed doubles, and they were beaten in the opening round by Emmanuel Lebesson (FRA) and Yuan Jia Nan (FRA). Wang Yang (SVK) beat David Powell (AUS) in the second round of the men’s singles.

Chris Yan (AUS) experienced a first-round men’s singles defeat; he lost to (ROU). Previous appearances include: eliminated in the group stage in Beijing (2004), round one in London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro (2016)

10.00 United States (Kanak Jha, Nikhil Kumar, Zhou Xin) v Sweden (Anton Källberg, Kristian Karlsson, Mattias Falck) United States (14) Kanak Jha (USA) was beaten in men’s singles round two by Kirill Skachkov (ROC). Nikhil Kumar (USA) experienced a round two defeat by Anton Källberg (SWE); they could meet again. Zhou Xin (USA) makes his Olympic Games debut. Appearances: round one in Rio de Janeiro (2016)

Sweden (5) Lin Yun-Ju (TPE) beat Anton Källberg (SWE) in the third round of the men’s singles. Mattias Falck (SWE) was somewhat surprisingly beaten in the third round of the men’s singles by Omar Assar (EGY).

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Past appearances: eliminated in the group stage in Beijing (2008), round one in London (2012), quarter-final in Rio de Janeiro (2016)

Men’s Team: Quarter-Final

14.30 Korea Republic (Jang Woojin, Jeoung Youngsik, Lee Sangsu) v Brazil (Hugo Calderano, Vitor Ishiy, Gustavo Tsuboi)

Korea Republic Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu (KOR), six ITTF World Tour men’s doubles titles to their names, form a powerful partnership. Possible opponents against Brazil are Vitor Ishiy and Gustavo Tsuboi (BRA), a relatively untried pairing.

Jeoung Youngsik (KOR) experienced a surprise defeat by Bojan Tokic (SLO) in the opening round.

Brazil Hugo Calderano (BRA) beat both Dimitrije Levajac (SRB) and Zsolt Peto (SRB) in the opening round against Serbia.

In the men’s singles, Hugo Calderano (BRA) overcame Jang Woojin (KOR) in the fourth round. They could well meet again in the second match of the fixture.

Vitor Ishiy showed great character against Serbia in round one. In the vital deciding match of the fixture, he overcame Dimitrije Levajac.

Women’s Team Event: Round One 10.00 France (Stéphanie Loeuillette, Prithika Pavade, Yuan Jia Nan) v Singapore (Feng Tianwei, Lin Ye, Yu Mengyu) France (13) Yana Noskova (ROC) beat Prithika Pavade (FRA) in the opening round of the women’s singles.

Yuan Jia Nan (FRA) partnered with Emmanuel Lebesson (FRA) in the mixed doubles. They finished in fourth place; also, she reached the third round of the women’s singles, losing to Jeon Jihee (KOR). Stéphanie Loeuillette (FRA) makes her Olympic Games debut. Appearances: Tokyo 2020 is the first

Singapore (6) Han Ying (GER) beat Feng Tianwei (SGP) in the fourth round of the women’s singles event.

Yu Mengyu (SGP) excelled expectations. She finished in fourth place in the women’s singles. Lin Ye (SGP) makes her debut in the Olympic Games.

Past appearances: silver in Beijing (2008), bronze in London (2012), fourth place in Rio de Janeiro (2016)

10.00 Korea Republic (Choi Hyojoo, Jeon Jihee, Shin Yubin) v Poland (Natalia Bajor, Li Qian, Natalia Partyka)

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Korea Republic (7) Jeon Jihee (KOR) reached the quarter-finals of the women’s singles, losing to Mima Ito (JPN), the eventual bronze medallist. Partnering with Lee Sangsu (KOR), she progressed to the mixed doubles quarter-finals losing to Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching (TPE), the eventual bronze medallists. Shin Yubin (KOR) experienced a third-round women’s singles defeat by (HKG). Choi Hyjoo (KOR) makes her Olympic Games debut.

Past appearances: bronze in Beijing (2008), fourth place in London (2012), quarter-final in Rio de Janeiro (2016)

Poland (11) Jian Fang Lay (AUS) beat Li Qian (POL) in the second round of the women’s singles event. Natalia Partyka (POL) also departed in women’s singles round two. She lost to Dina Meshref (EGY). Natalia Bajor (POL) makes her Olympic Games debut.

Past appearances: eliminated in the group stage in Beijing (2008), round one in London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro (2016).

Women’s Team Event: Quarter-Final 14.30 Hong Kong (Doo Hoi Kem, Lee Ho Ching, Minnie Soo Wai Yam) v Romania (Daniela Monteiro Dodean, Lee Ho Ching, Minnie Soo Wai Yam) Hong Kong (4) In the opening round, Doo Hoi Kem (HKG) remained unbeaten against Brazil. She accounted for both Bruna Takahashi (BRA) and Jessica Yamada (BRA). Hong Kong relies heavily on Doo Hoi Kem (HKG) to deliver two wins. Lee Ho Ching (HKG) suffered a surprise defeat by Caroline Kumahara (BRA). Minnie Soo Wai Yam (HKG) experienced a surprise opening match defeat in the women’s singles; the no.17 seed lost to Maria Xiao (ESP), the no.43 seed. Against Brazil, she only played in the doubles partnering Lee Ho Ching (HKG).

Romania (8) In round one, Romania proved too strong for Egypt, yet Bernadette Szocs (ROU) was stretched. Szocs (ROU) has not been in the best of recent form, losing to lower-ranked players. At the just-completed European Championships, she was defeated by Linda Bergström (SWE), and at the current Olympic Games, she departed at the hands of Liu Juan (USA). The doubles could prove crucial. Daniela Monteiro Dodean and Elizabeta Samara (ROU) won the European Championships women’s doubles title in 2009 and 2012.

Top Names Men’s Team: Quarter-Final China (Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, Xu Xin) v France (Alexandre Cassin, Simon Gauzy, Emmanuel Lebesson) China (1) In the opening contest against Egypt, Xu Xin (CHN) partnered Ma Long (CHN) in the doubles; they may stay the same, but an option would be to pair Xu Xin (CHN) and Fan Zhendong (CHN). They became World champions in 2017 in Düsseldorf. No team can match China’s strength in depth. France (8) Simon Gauzy (FRA) was in scintillating form in the opening round, beating Wong Chun Ting (TPE) for the first time in his career; memorably at the Liebherr 2019 World Championships in , he accounted for Xu Xun (CHN) in the third round.

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Alexandre Cassin and Emmanuel Lebesson will no doubt form the doubles pairing.

Women’s Team: quarter-final 19.30 Japan (Miu Hirano, Kasumi Ishikawa, Mima Ito) v (Chen Szu-Yu, Cheng Hsien- Tzu, Cheng I-Ching) Japan (2) Miu Hirano and Kasumi Ishikawa (JPN) will no doubt form the doubles combination. Mima Ito (JPN) is in outstanding form, already gold in the mixed doubles with Jun Mizutani (JPN) and bronze in the women’s singles. She is no doubt full of confidence.

Chinese Taipei (5) Eyes very much look to Ching I-Ching, she could well face Mima Ito (JPN) in the second match of the engagement, but she does not have a good record when facing Mima (ITO). She has lost six of their eight meetings in world ranking events. In the most recent encounter in the women’s singles final at the 2020 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open in Budapest, she lost in seven games after holding a 3-2 games lead (11-7, 1-11, 11-6, 7-11, 2-11, 11-9, 11-6). Undoubtedly, Cheng Hsien-Tzu and Chen Szu-Yu will form the doubles pair.

Player Fast Facts Liu Shiwen (CHN) withdrew due to a shoulder injury recurrence; she is replaced by Wang Manyu (CHN). Wang Manyu (CHN) is the only player to win the girls’ singles title at the World Junior Championships in consecutive years. She won in 2014 in Shanghai and 2015 in La Roche-sur- Yon. (CHN) is the only other player to win the title on two occasions. She prevailed in 2010 in Bratislava and 2012 in Hyderabad. All three members of the Chinese women’s Team have been World Junior champions. Additional to Wang Manyu, Chen Meng won in 2011 in Manama, Sun Yingsha in 2017 in Riva del Garda. The player Sun Yingsha beat in the final in Riva del Garda was Wang Manyu (CHN), she prevailed in one of the closest finals on record (8-11, 11-7, 7-11, 2-11, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10). For the fourth consecutive time, Natalia Partyka (POL) competes in both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. She was the youngest player on duty at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games (11 years old). She has won gold in women’s singles class 10 at every Paralympic Games since 2004 in Athens; she starts the hot favourite to retain her title in Tokyo. Lee Ho Ching represented Asia in the 2005 ITTF World Cadet Challenge. She was 12 years old. An interpreter was needed to speak with Dong Lun (CHN), the coach. A small voice chirped, “I can help”; she proved most efficient.

Jang Woojin (KOR) became the second player from the Korea Republic to win the boys’ singles title at the World Junior Championships when he succeeded in 2013 in Rabat. The previous winner was Jeong Sangeun, who won in 2007 in Palo Alto.

Oh, Sangeun (KOR) is the coach for the Korea Republic men’s team; in the men’s team event at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, he won bronze in London silver. All three German men’s team members have won the junior boys’ singles title at the European Youth Championships. Timo Boll (GER) won in 1997 in Topolcany and 1998 in Norcia; Dimitrij Ovtcharov (GER) succeeded in 2005 in Prague, Patrick Franziska (GER) in 2010 in Istanbul. Could Tokyo be the last Olympic Games for Chuang Chih-Yuan (TPE)? He made his debut in 2004 in Athens. He is now 40 years old.

5 Matches To Watch 10.00 Men’s Team (round one): Sweden (5) v United States (14) 10.00 Women’s Team (round one): Singapore (6) v France (13) 14.30 Men’s Team (quarter-final): Korea Republic (4) v Brazil (6)

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14.30 Women’s Team (quarter-final): Hong Kong (4) v Romania (8) 19.30 Women’s Team (quarter-final): Japan (2) v Chinese Taipei (5)

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