Teenagers shone brightly in the qualification stage of the Women’s Singles event in the mid afternoon of Wednesday 17th February 2010, as three of the top four world ranked female players on duty on the first day of competition, experienced defeat as Germany led the way.

The only one of the leading quartet to experience success was Poland’s Xu Jie; the third highest rated in action, she beat Alena Dubkova of Belarus in four straight games.

However, for Alena Dubkova’s compatriot Viktoria Pavlovich it was the pain of defeat as it was for Li Xue of France and Korea’s Moon Hyun Jung.

Adaptation
Viktoria Pavlovich, the highest ranked in action, was the first to suffer; she was beaten by Germany’s 17 year old Sabine Winter in six games.

“It’s the first time I’ve played Veronika”, smiled Sabine Winter. “At the beginning of the match I found it difficult to return her services, I made many mistakes but then I adjusted and was able to return the serves better.”

Played Safely
Good players adapt and Sabine Winter is a good player; supple wrists and smooth strokes when attacking from both wings.

“As the match progressed I played safer”, continued Sabine Winter. “Also, I kept trying to change direction and not play too much to her forehand.”

Victory for Sabine Winter and then five minutes later it was more smiles for Germany.

Cool Performance
Fifteen year old Petrissa Solja, as calm as a cucumber, beat Korea’s Moon Hyun Jung, the fourth highest world ranked player in action, by a similar margin to that recorded by Sabine Winter.

It was the cool manner in which Petrissa Solja completed the task against a player who at the Volkswagen 48th World Championships in Shanghai had beaten China’s Wang Nan, the reigning World Champion at the time.

Seemingly for ice cool Solja it was just another day at the office.

No Pressure
“I didn’t feel under any pressure today, she was expected to win”, said Petrissa Solja. “Today my first attack was strong, I tried to play with a lot of topspin and play positively.”

Certainly the German teenager was positive but she matched the Korean in every aspect of the game.

Different Spins
“It’s the first time I’d ever played her and being a penholder the spin on the ball seemed different”, explained Petrissa Solja. “That caused me problems at the beginning and I had to fight myself; in the fifth game I had a lead and lost, so in the sixth game I just concentrated on playing one point at a time.”

She did just and maintained her calm exterior.

Yana Noskova
However, the next surprise win was recorded by a player quite different in character to Petrissa Solja; the ebullient Yana Noskova who wears her heart on her sleeve, greets every success with a squeal and gives heart and soul to the cause.

The modern day version of former Russian international Galina Melnik, simply enjoys the fight and she fought.

Mental Strength
In seven games she overcame the defensive skills of France’s Li Xue, the second highest world ranked player on duty; it was a performance that showed mental strength as Li Xue made the Russian teenager work for every point.

However, for the beaten trio there is still hope; two players from each group progress to the main draw.

Source: www.ittf.com

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