China’s Guo Yue added another trophy to already impressive array of silverware by winning won the Women’s Singles title at the Qatar Open in Doha on Sunday 21st February 2010, beating compatriot Liu Shiwen at the final hurdle.

In a final played at a fast and furious pace, the no.2 seed beat the no.1 seed to clinch the top prize.

The contest was women’s table tennis at its very best with Guo Yue recovering from a three games to two deficit to secure the Qatar Open Women’s Singles crown for the first time in her career.
Guo Yue won 15-13, 5-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-13, 11-9, 11-7 to capture the title for the first time in her career.

Tough to Predict
The first game was close with both players having opportunities.

Liu Shiwen led 10-8, Guo Yue saved both game points; then she had further opportunities at 11-10 and 13-12; both went begging.

Meanwhile, Guo Yue had a chance at 12-11 before eventually securing the game at 15-13.

Stung
Stung by the missed opportunities, Liu Shiwen sped into a 6-2 lead in the second game; she commanded proceedings, won the game and levelled matters.

Liu Shiwen concentrates her first forehand attacks along the parallel towards the forehand of Guo Yue; the forehand may be Guo Yue’s strength but the tactic prevented the left hander gaining angles wide to the Liu Shiwen forehand.

Tactic Continued
The tactic continued in the third game with Liu Shiwen establishing a 5-3 lead, she maintained the advantage at 7-5 but with two serves drifting long, Guo Yue levelled at 7-all executing her favoured forehand to good effect.

Five consecutive points took Guo Yue to 10-7 a chance to move into a two games to one lead, it was seized.

Time Out Vital
Aggressive, positive, staying close to the table, Guo Yue attacked quickly from the very start of the fourth game but she made errors and Liu Shiwen responded, the rallies were fast and furious.

At 7-all it was parity, the next point went to Liu Shiwen, the next to Guo Yue; Liu Shiwen called “Time Out”.

Guo Yue levelled, it was 9-all; fast rallies ensued, both going the way of Liu Shiwen. The match score was level.

Fortune
The fifth game saw Guo Yue attack quickly with the forehand at every opportunity. She established a 7-4 lead but Liu Shiwen captured the next three points to level at 7-all.

The next two points went to Guo Yue, the next three to Liu Shiwen then one to Guo Yue; equality at 10-all. Game point to Guo Yue, point saved, then game point to Liu Shiwen and fortune was on her side.

Attempting to touch the ball short, the delicate forehand clipped the top of the net, Guo Yue returned into the net. Liu Shiwen was three-two in games ahead.

Raced Away but Caught
In the sixth game Liu Shiwen sped into a 5-2 lead.

Guo Yue called “Time Out”; fast counter topspin rallies followed, with honours shared. At 7-4 the three point cushion was maintained but Guo Yue dug deep, she recovered and went ahead 10-8.

The first game point was saved but not the second, a deciding game beckoned.

Decider
Superb rallies greeted the start of the seventh game, the speed of the exchanges was breathtaking.

At the change of ends, Guo Yue led 5-3, her fast first forehand attack reaping dividends.

She increased the lead to 7-3; it was a telling lead. Liu Shiwen fought but the gap was too great.

The title was in the hands of Guo Yue.

Tough to Predict
Predicting a winner in the contest between the top two seeded players was no simple task; they knew each other well being members of the same national team and in world ranking events honours were even.

They had played each other on six previous occasions on the international scene.

Honours Shared
In January 2006, Guo Yue had won when they met at the quarter-final stage of the Women’s Singles event whilst the following year at the Liebherr German Open, Liu Shiwen had prevailed in their third round encounter.

Success for Liu Shiwen but the next two meetings both went to Guo Yue.

In 2008 she won at the quarter-final stage of the Women’s Singles event at the Panasonic China Open and in the final at the Asian Cup.

Successful Year
Two consecutive defeats for Liu Shiwen, then there were two successes both in 2009; she won when the two met in the Women’s Singles final at the Harmony China Open and at the Volkswagen Women’s World Cup.

In 2010 in Qatar it was the turn of Guo Yue, the run of defeats was ended.

Source: www.ittf.com

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