Guo Yan Beats Li Xiaoxia to Win German Open Women’s Singles Crown
2011 German Open - ITTF Pro Tour
The runner up in both England and the United Arab Emirates, 28 year old Guo Yan went one step better at the German Open in Dortmund on Sunday 27th February 2011; she won the Women’s Singles title beating compatriot and no.2 seed, Li Xiaoxia, at the final hurdle.
Seeded no.1, Guo Yan recorded a six games victory (15-13, 7-11, 13-11, 11-6, 3-11, 12-10).
It was the first ITTF Pro Tour Women’s Singles title of the year for Guo Yan and, including Grand Finals, she seventh of her career.
Second Consecutive Furthermore, it was her second victory over Li Xiaoxia in consecutive tournaments; the previous week in Dubai, she had beaten Li Xiaoxia in a close seven games duel in their semi-final Women’s Singles duel.
No Ding Ning In Dubai, Guo Yan was to lose in the final to colleague Ding Ning who was not present on Dortmund; furthermore, Guo Yan was no doubt pleased Ding Ning was not present at the German Open.
At the English Open, Qatar Open and United Arab Emirates Open; her three appearances on the ITTF Pro Tour prior to the German Open, she had lost to 20 year old Ding Ning!
An Equal Problem Equally, Li Xiaoxia who has been present in every ITTF Pro Tour tournament in 2011 but has not secured a Women’s Singles title, has also experienced problems with Ding Ning.
She lost to Ding Ning in the semi-finals in England and in the quarter-finals in Qatar; whilst in Slovenia another member of the China’ new generation ended her title aspirations in the final; she was beaten by 19 year old Wu Yang.
Lucky Number However for Guo Yan it was good news in Dortmund and it was “Lucky 13”.
It was the 13th time she had faced Li Xiaoxia in world ranking events and the advantage is now with Guo Yan; she has now won seven of those meetings.
Momentum with Li Xiaoxia However, in recent times, the momentum has been with Li Xiaoxia.
In January 2007, Guo Yan won when the pair met in their quarter-final encounter in the Women’s Singles event at the Croatian Open but since that victory Guo Yan had only won on one occasion prior to the duel in Dortmund; that was just over seven days ago in Dubai.
Worthy Champion At the United Arab Emirates Open, she won and in Dortmund she won again to become a worthy gold medallist, the 2011 German Open Women’s Singles champion.
