Europe Top-16 Cup | 7 Feb 2015

Reigning champion LIU Jia in full swing

Reigning champion, LIU Jia of Austria booked her place in the semi final of the In the quarterfinal of the 2015 NN Table Tennis Club ITTF – Europe Top 16 in Baku. She will meet Dutch LI Jiao, whilst in all-German semis Petrissa SOLJA will play against Irene IVANCAN.
Four times winner of the Europe Top 12, last time in Liege 2011, LI Jiao booked the place in another semi final. Dutch player overcame Hungary’s Georgina POTA.

“Last time when we played against each other I lost, so I am very happy with my victory and performance here. The most difficult part was to control the game and to try to slow it down as much as possible. In fast exchanges of the strokes POTA has advantage,” explained LI.

LI is very much focused on her coaching career, as well as to biggest tournaments. “I do not play so much now. I am coaching Dutch men’s team. They are very young and talented. I am playing only at the biggest tournaments. One of the goals is to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio,” announced LI.

Petrissa SOLJA of Germany already repeated last year’s success. She booked another semi final. In the quarters she beat HU Melek despite huge support from the crowd in Baku.“In last two occasions I lost against HU. She defeated me at the European Championships and at the Women’s World Cup. I always play hard against her. We always stretched each other to full distance; I easily lost the games and easily win, at the end it all come to the service and receive game. “

What made the difference this time? “I was so happy after my victory over LI Jie this morning in the ultimate match of the Group phase. It gave confidence and motivation. I was in very good mood, much better then yesterday.”

Irene IVANCAN overcame WU Jiaduo on her way to the great success at the top 16. “I am extremely happy. I was ready for he long and close match and I could not even imagine it will be over in straight games. WU is so difficult to play against. Even when I was 3:0 up I was not safe. At 7:3 she won very good point and I was afraid she would come back. On other player’s face you can see when they are down, or ready to quit, but she never quits and you cannot read anything on her face. At 7:4 I managed to slow down the game and to halt her comeback.”

Irene hopes for support in Baku. The member of Fenerbahche already attract attention in the hall and after departure of IMANOVA and HU Melek, local supporters will certainly turn on to Turkish club’s player. “I was so disappointed lately. I suffered by the hands of very young Japan’s and German players. The victory over VACENOVSKA and PARTYKA gave a little burst of confidence. It helped me today.”

LIU Jia was forced to go full distance. After the match against Kristin SILBEREISEN she was not very happy, despite the victory. “The match was very hard. I do not know how to play against Kristin. I do not know the right tactics. I am not even sure how I won this match. It was extremely difficult. Now I need to get some rest and to sleep. I hope tomorrow I will be better”.