Ryu channels inner resilience to hold out in thriller (Rotterdam 2011)

It was a brilliant afternoon for table tennis purists as Ryu Seung Min took on Igor Rubtsov in a match meant for the history books when it comes to style of play and the amount of thrilling points per game! 

The 2004 Olympic champion, Ryu was pushed and pulled into all sorts of angles from which to play against Rubtsov, and he responded with grace. There was no shortage of imagination as we saw loops, rallies what have you in a pendulum-esque battle that went all the way. Eventually, the Korea Republic international wrapped up a 4-3 (8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5) win over his Russian opponent, ending it with a strong forehand down the table. 

Seventh seed Fukuhara exits! (Rotterdam 2011)

Singapore’s Ai Fukuhara has been shown the door in the round of 32 of the women’s singles after Fan Ying beat her 4-1 (8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-8, 11-7)!

It was a clinical win for Fan, who did not let Fukuhara play her game at all during the course of the match. The Chinese was smart about her counter attack and kept clam when the seventh seed initially took the lead. All in all, it was a major upset given Fukuhara has been such a leading light in terms of Singapore’s exploits at the World Championships.

Leung showcases his best to eliminate Chuang! (Rotterdam 2011)

Welcome back to the 2011 World Table Tennis Championship and it’s all hands on deck here in the second round of the men’s singles as Leung Chu Yan has seen off the 2002 Pro Tour Grand Finals Champion, Chuang Chih-Yuan. 

The Hong Kong athlete, Leung, was looking to be heading for an early exit as he was down 1-3 at the end of the fourth game. But then, with a renewed confidence and superb stroke play across the table, he challenged his Chinese Taipei opponent, and won three games on the bounce to secure the win (11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5).

Canadian representation continues (Tianjin 1995)

The Canadian flag will be present in the last eight of the women’s singles race in Tianjin after Geng Lijuan extended her stay in the competition.

Runner-up in ten years back at Gothenburg 1995 under the Chinese flag, Geng continues to prove she is one of the world’s best on the World Championships stage. Besting China’s Chen Zihe in straight games (21-16, 21-8, 21-12), Geng sets up a meeting with 1991 World champion Deng Yaping at the top of the draw.

Tong Feiming edges five-game epic (Tianjin 1995)

Wow, what a match! Tong Feiming is also through to the women’s singles quarter-finals, although it wasn’t a straightforward goal to accomplish with the Chinese Taipei player edging a tight contest.

Germany’s Nicole Struse mounted a commendable recovery attempt, fighting back from two games down to draw level at 2-2. A deciding fifth end forced, Tong and Struse played out a nail-biting game which was won by the former of the two by the narrowest of margins (21-19, 21-16, 20-22, 21-13, 24-22).

16-year-old through to quarter-finals (Tianjin 1995)

Remember the name Wang Nan for she could go on to be a big star in the years to come! Just 16 years of age, China’s Wang has secured her place in the last eight at the 1995 World Championships here in Tianjin.

Trailing Chinese Taipei’s Xu Jing 1-2 in a thrilling encounter, Wang showed great maturity to force through a comeback with back-to-back game successes sealing a fine 3-2 win (17-21, 21-12, 19-21, 21-9, 21-17).