Olympic Games | 9 Aug 2016
ARUNA beat BOLL to create a massive upset
2016 Rio Olympic Games
Quadri ARUNA of Nigeria created a top rated upset by reaching the quarterfinal of the Men’s Singles Event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. World’s no. 40, on his way to top 8 he beat the World’s no. 14 and no. 10 seed Timo BOLL of Germany (12-10, 12-10, 11-5, 3-11, 5-11, 11-9).
“This is amazing; I don’t know what to say. My fans made me do this. Thank you for all the Brazilian spectators for their support. They gave me so much energy. This feels so good; it is a dream come true that i am in the quarterfinal.”
Timo BOLL once again failed to reach the only “big” medal that is missing in his tresuary.
“ARUNA has surprised a lot of people. I knew he was good coming into the match. I just have to say well played! His whole game is different, so it took me awhile to work it out. Once I was 0-3 down I started to get more into the match, but it was already too late.”
Korea’s JUNG Youngsik, the no.9 seed, won the first two games before MA Long recovered (6-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-1, 13-11, 13-11). Jun MIZUTANI ended the hopes of the host nation’s Hugo CALDERANO, in six games (11-5, 11-6, 11-13, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10).Portugal’s Marcos FREITAS, the no.8 seed, accounted for Ukraine’s KOU Lei in four straight games (11-8, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7).
Geramny’s HAN Ying reached the quarterfinal of the Women’s Singles Event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. In the Round of 16 she overcame LI Xue of France. It was a contest that required the Expedite Rule to be introduced. Eventually HAN Ying emerged successful in five games (11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 11-13, 13-11).
“It was so difficult playing against Li Xue, the match was much harder than the result might suggest”, said Han Ying. “Long points it is mentally very tiring, most importantly you have to believe in yourself. Tactically when you are playing under the Expedite Rule you must be prepared to make changes. When you are serving and you need to attack sometimes you must be patient and wait; on other occasions you need to attack earlier in the rally; today when receiving service I kept telling myself that I must not lose!”
In the quarterfinal she will meet DING Ning of China. DING overcame DOO Hoi Kem of Hong Kong.
