Europe Top-16 Cup | 3 Feb 2018
No. one seed LI Jie justified her status
Photo: Rémy Gros ITTF
China Construction Bank 2018 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup
No one seed at the China Construction Bank 2018 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup LI Jie of Netherlands justified her status and overcame Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia in the opening Round. Mattias KARLSSON of Sweden also showed his class and beat Ruwen FILUS of Germany.
Polina MIKHAILOVA failed to justify her reputation of a player who is very dangerous for a players with the defensive style. LI Jie was at the top of the game from the beginning up to the end (11:2, 11:7, 13:11, 11:6).
“I was aware of her attack, but I did not want to change anything in my game. I just stick to my tactics and won. It was 4:0, but it was not easy at all,” said LI. “Here are the best players in Europe, the rankings are not important at such tournament. It will be difficult to reach the medal rostrum.”
Mattias KARLSSON felt comfortable against Ruwen FILUS’s defending skills. He maintained his patience to overcame Germany’s player.
“We have never played against each other before, but I study his game. I do not have a lot of opportunities to play against defenders especially lefthanders. I played aggressive especially on the first ball and put all the pressure on him. I was only challenged in the third game, when he came back with the good service, but I managed to return the match on more desirable path,” said KARLSSON.
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