The action in Singles starts today at the table tennis tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. European players posted notable wins on the opening day of the play.
Great Britainโs Paul DRINKHALL defeated Nima ALAMIAN from the Islamic Republic of Iran 4-1 (11-7 11-1 11-5 8-11 12-10). Drinkhall who is making his third Olympics appearance following his debut on home soil in London in 2012 remains on course to better his quarter-final result in Rio De Janeiro and faces Austrian Robert GARDOS in the next round.
โI think I played a really good game. The first match can be a bit tricky sometimes. I lost to him last time so I had a think about that game and how that went. I delivered a really good performance today and I’m very happy with the result โ said DRINKHALL and added:โ I think I just believed in the training I’ve done. Obviously he’s a good player and he played very well throughout. The first three sets I was very good and then I think possibly I just wanted to get to the finish line and was thinking about that a little bit too much. Not consciously but I think sub-consciously I went a little bit safe and he took advantage of that.โ
Paul DRINKHALL is delighted to be in Japan: โIt’s great to be here โ my alternative was camping! It’s been a very strange 18 months for lots and lots of people and very difficult in many ways so it’s great to be here and part of Team GB again. I feel like I’m in a really good place to do good things. So good luck to GARDOS for trying to stop me. May the best man win.”
Andrej GACINA of Croatia beat Kokou Dodji FANNY of Togo in straight games (11:5 11:6 11:3 13:11)
โI am very satisfied with my performance. It is true this was bit easier match but my performance was at the top level and that is what keeps me confident. I hope I will preform equally good against Emmanuel LEBESSON in Round two โ said GACINA.
Greece star Panagiotis GIONIS who is playing at his fifth Games overcame Serbia’s Szolt PETE in the opening Round of the competition in the singles (11:6 11:8 11:9 11:8).
โI started very focused because it was dangerous match for few reasons. It is opening duel at the tournament and also I know how PETE could be dangerous. I lost against him 3 years ago in Champions league so I had to be ready. In addition it was important for me that I concluded the duel in four games. I have enough time to recover and to prepare for the second round match against Ahmed SALEH of Egypt โ said GIONIS.
Lubomir JANCARIK of Czech Republic succeeded against Ali ALKHADRAWI of South Africa (11:9 11:5 11:4 11:4).
โIt was complicated for me. Because of the covid measures I could not be in the Olympic village and I am isolated from the other players. Now I have to prepare for the matches in the isolation but this win gave me confidence to continue and to believe I will overcame this challenges. I will fight against Kirill GERASSIMENKO of Kazakhstan. I know I have the chance because I already beat him in the Olympic Qualification tournament in Qatar โ explained JANCARIK.
After the victory in Mixed Doubles Event Ovidiu IONESCU of Romania overcame YAN Xin of Australia (11:7 13:11 7:11 11:8 11:6).
โ In singles it was a very hard match many ups and downs but I always managed to find a way to come back โ said IONESCU.
Kirill SKACHKOV from Russia Olympic Committee overcame Dimitrije LEVAJAC of Serbia (11:4 11:13 6:11 11:7 11:5).
โI commenced well. I was 1:0 up and 5:0 in the second game. I felt I am in control but suddenly I become nervous. I started to play simply. I did not change anything and LEVAJAC rose his game. He got good tempo and he won the game and had 3:0 advantage in next. I had to call for time out. I had to calm down and to rebuilt my confidence. It helped me find my rhythm and restore my game โ said SKACHKOV.
KOU Lei of Ukraine beat Adam HMAM of Tunisia (11:6 11:3 11:7 11:6) whilst Bence MAJAROS of Hungary overcame Larbi BOURIAH of Algeria (11:1 11:5 11:5 11:2). Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal prevailed against Olajide OMOTAYO of Nigeria (11:7 11:9 11:6 11:6).
“It’s always very special to compete in Olympics I’m so glad that I managed to play well and take the victory against a strong player .ย I have a free day tomorrow which I will use to start preparing the next round ” said APOLONIA.
Bojan TOKIC of Slovenia secured the place in the second round after win over Jeremy HAZIN of Canada (11:7 11:9 11:5 11:7). Next he will meet Tomislav PUCAr of Croatia.
โYouth and quality are on PUCAR’S side but experience and better winning record in direct clashes works for me in this match. I am sure the match will be leveled and that the details will proved as crucial โ said TOKIC.
Experienced TOKIC who was a Slovenia flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony looked back at the opening round:
โIt was good adversary for the opening round at the Olympics. It is never too easy to play when you see the five rings. I am not too delighted with my play but I was not looking for perfection anyway. It is win that is only matter.โ
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In the Women’s Singles Event Rachel MORET of Switzerland posted a victory in the match against Jessica YAMADA of Brazil (11:6 6:11 11:4 7:11 11:6).
โI’m very happy to have win my first match here in Tokyo. Tomorrow I will play against Georgina POTA. I’m excited to play here a second match and will give everything at the table.Today I was very happy with my service game and I managed to put a lot of variations all the time so she wouldn’t get used to it. And I try to always to keep her under pressure โ said MORET.
Yana NOSKOVA of Russian Olympic committee overcame Prithika PAVADE of France (12:10 6:11 3:11 11:7 11:9).
โIt was really hard and difficult match. PAVADE played really good. And when I saw the draw I was little bit worried. I spoke with my coach yesterday about tactic and it works really good today. I was better near to table and I changed constantly the pace with speed and spin. I succeeded in making more attacks โ said Yana.
Natalia PARTYKA of Poland overcame Michelle BROMLEY of Australia (11:3 11:5 11:5 11:7).
โI am happy that I won. The first match is never an easy one but I think I played really well from the beginning. I expect very tough one tomorrow too last time I lost against MESHREF โ said PARTYKA.
SHAO Jieni of Portugal ended the hopes for Christina KAELLBERG of Sweden (8:11 9:11 10:12 11:6 11:5 11:8 11:6) whilst LIU Jia of Austria beat Ganna GAPONOVA of Ukraine (11:4 6:11 6:11 11:4 11:3). Tomorrow she will meet Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russian Olympic committee. Maria XIAO of Spain beat Anastassiya LAVROVA of Kazakhstan (11:9 11:6 11:4 7:11 11:3). Polina TRIFONOVA of Bulgaria beat Sarah DE NUTTE of Luxembourg (6:11 11:6 4:11 8:11 12:0 11:9 11:8).
