Romania’s Elizabeta Samara caused the shock of the day, in the Women’s Singles event at the London 2012 Olympic Games in the ExCeL Arena, on the evening of Sunday 29th July.
She beat Hong Kong’s Tie Yana, the no.3 seed, in the third round of proceedings to book her place in the fourth round.
Elizabeta Samara won in six games (11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 5-11, 11-8).
However, hardly anyone noticed!
There was no rapturous applause or hysteria; the reason was eyes were glued on a teenage heroine who suffered defeat.
Set Stadium Alight
Ariel Hsing set the stadium alight and gained the admiration of the whole crowd, including compatriot Bill Gates, for her quite incredible performance against China’s Li Xiaoxia, the no.2 seed.
Overwhelmed
In the opening game of their third round Women’s Singles encounter, Li Xiaoxia totally dominated the opening game; she won the first eight points without repost.
Simply, Ariel Hsing was being overwhelmed but then realized that the ball was round, moved up a gear and decided to enjoy her moment in the spotlight.
New Level
She rose to a new level; she stood toe to toe with Li Xiaoxia as counter top spin exchanges looked fast in slow motion!
After losing the first game, she won the second; then after losing the third she won the fourth. It was not a comfortable experience for Li Xiaoxia, Shi Zhihao the coach sitting courtside, or the Chinese supporters.
Relieved
It was a relieved Li Xiaoxia who left the arena after recording a six games win (11-4, 9-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8, 11-9).
Crowd Engrossed
Everyone was encapsulated.
The Chinese national flag and the Stars and Stripes were waved by spectators as they supported their favourite; furthermore, the fans sat or stood side by side in true Olympic spirit.
Win or lose they were reveling in the atmosphere, savouring the occasion, remembering the moment.
Best Tonic
Meanwhile, for Li Xiaoxia it could well have been the best tonic available; win a hard fought match and confidence blossoms.
Li Xiaoxia won a hard fought match.
Close Contests
A hard fought duel and as matches commenced in the third round of the Women’s Singles event there were several other testing contests.
Hong Kong’s Jiang Huajun needed six games to beat DPR Korea’s Kim Jong (11-5, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7); whilst Li Jie of the Netherlands had to recover from a two games to nil deficit to end the hopes of Poland’s Natalia Partyka (11-13, 6-11, 16-14, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7).
Similar
Equally, Singapore’s Feng Tianwei had to fend off a strong challenge from Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu who celebrates her 19th birthday on Wednesday 1st July 2012.
Similarly, Germany’s Wu Jiaduo was extended to six games by the Czech Republic’s Iveta Vacenovska (11-9, 15-13, 8-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5), as was Viktoria Pavlovich of Belarus by Germany’s Kristin Silbereisen (12-10, 13-11, 9-11. 11-13, 11-4, 11-7) and Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa by Austria’s Li Qiangbing (111-13, 10-12, 11-7, 12-10, 11-8, 11-5).
The Real Winner
Hard fought wins but the player gained the greatest plaudits was a player who experienced defeat; Ariel Hsing – a real winner!
