Olympic Games | 8 Aug 2016

Austria’s flag bearer LIU Jia reached Round of 16

2016 Rio Olympic Games

 

Reigning Olympic Champion LI Xiaoxia of China emerged victoriously to reach the top 16 of the Women’s Singles event at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. LI Xiaoxia overcame Sweden’s LI Fen (11-7, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7).

 

“Coach Kong Linghui has given me clear tactics on how to play this match against LI Fen, to slow my pace down, play longer strokes, and not give her the chance to play her strengths, “ said LI.” I’m still very nervous coming into my first match at Rio 2016, furthermore it’s against LI Fen, she was a member of Chinese National Team, so she’s still very strong. I’m nervous, but it’s much better compared to London 2012, I have played at the Olympics before I have experienced this, that helps.”

 

About LI’s preparations for Rio:

 

“I have 2 matches today, and I have to prepare them match by match. To put down everything and put myself all out to fight my every match, regardless of who my opponent is. I think that is the most important part of the competition for me.”

 

Flag bearer for Austria LIU Jia was the only European player to book her place in the Round of 16 in the morning session of the tournament at the third day of the play. No. 16 seed beat European Games champion LI Jiao of Netherlands (7-11, 11-8, 15-13, 11-9, 11-5).

 

LEE Ho Ching Hong Kong destroyed Ukraine’s Tetyana BILENKO’s hopes 4-1 (11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 13-11, 11-6).

 

“I have practised a great deal in Hong Kong against defensive players and I think now my forehand is much better, much stronger against backspin play. Now I’m making less mistakes than in the past, I think I’m more patient than before and today I felt confident before the match started. For sure the fact that Doo Hoi Ken won yesterday helped a great deal today, that really motivated me.”

 

Experience count… RI Myong Sun (PRK), no. 21 seed, on her second apearence at the Olympic Games beat no. 10 seed Petrissa SOLJA of Germany on her debut to make it to Women’s Singles Round of 16 (11-5, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6).

 

FENG Tianwei of Singapore overcame NI Xia Lian of Singapore (8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5).

 

“It’s my first match, so my body still feels a little tense. NI’s playing style is very unique, I think she’s probably the only one in the world playing that style, so I’m not used to that. I found it hard to find my rhythm in the first 2 games, and that she was playing very well, so it was really tough for me. She’s a great player, and I have much to learn from her.”

 

Japan’s Ai Fukuhara, the no.6 seed, accounted for Romania’s Daniela Monteiro Dodean (11-5, 11-6, 11-4, 11-1).