Darko JORGIC of Slovenia and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany thwarted Japan’s plans for medals in the Men’s Singles Event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan. Two Europeans reached the quarterfinal of the event in fantastic style. In the Women’s Singles Event it is HAN Ying of Germany to keep the European flag high in Tokyo.
Darko JORGIC eliminated Tomokazu HARIMOTO of Japan in the Round of 16. He reached the quarterfinal after grueling seven games thriller 4:3 (10:12 11:9 11:3 10:12 8:11 11:7 11:7).
โItโs just an amazing feeling for me to beat Harimoto in his own country and be in the quarter-final. I prepared well with my coach I was strong mentally today and didnโt show any signs of nerves. I was fighting for every point and this was my goal. If you play top 10 players then you have to be aggressive if you play safe then they will punish you. I donโt think he was expecting this from me today itโs just amazing!โ said Darko JORGIC.
On his second exit to the table today Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV beat Koki NIWA in five games 4:1 (11:4 7:11 11:0 11:7 11:9). Previously OVTCHAROV demonstrated an imperious form as he swept past Kirill SKACHKOV from Russian Olympic Committee 4:0 (13:11 11:3 13:11 11:4) to book his place in the Menโs Singles round of 16.
In the morning session HAN Ying of Germany showed no mercy and defeated 48-year-old LAY Jian Fang of Australia 4:0 (11:9 11:9 11:7 11:8) before she beat Singapore’s FENG Tianwei (11:13 7:11 9:11 1:8 8:11) to secure her place in the quarterfinal.
In the Third Round Dane Jonathan GROTH suffered by the hands of to Simon GAUZY of France 4-0 (12:10 11:9 11:9 11:5).
โI had to wait for a while for this match. I was nervous especially day earlier when it become clear I will play against GROTH. The straight games win does not predict how close the match was. 10 9 9…speaks more about it โ said GAUZY.ย โI do not think he was very happy to see me in his part of the draw. I beat him in 5 previous occasions. Today he had big problem with my service and that made my victory easier. โ
The celebration did not last long as in the Round of 16 GAUZY met MA Long of China 4:1 (11:6 9:11 11:4 11:7 11:5)
In the Round of 16 number eight seed Timo BOLL lost out to Korea Republicโs JEOUNG Youngsik across five games (11-8 7-11 11-7 11-9 11-4). BOLL’s defeat sees him fall at the round of 16 hurdle yet again having done so in 2008 2012 and 2016!
No. 10 seed JEOUNG played smartly halted Timo BOLL’s serves and often sought to gain points with BOLL’s deep backhand followed by a ball in the wide forehand.
“I actually thought I would get in quite well. But somehow he found his rhythm against my balls. It was like I am playing against the wall ” BOLL was surprised.” He played almost flawlessly and got into the match well. He simply found an answer to everything.โ
In Women’s Singles Round three Britt EERLAND of Netherlands overcame Dina MESHREF of Egypt 4:3 (9:11 3:11 7:11 11:6 11:5 11:8 11:7).
โI did not start very well. Dina is the one who had much more variations in her rhythm but I kept my confidence high. Eventually I managed to adjust to the game to the venue… I did not want to lose like that. I wanted to show my game. Even if I had to lose I wanted to know that I gave my best. I kept on fighting and at the end it was good enough โ explained EERLAND.
In the next round EERLAND suffered by the hands of DOO Hoi Kem of Hong Kong 4:1 (11:13 11:5 11:8 11:9 11:8). In the Round three LIU Jia of Austria proved too strong for Adriana DIAZ of Puerto Rico 4:0 (11:9 11:4 11:9 11:9) but in the next she lost to JEON Jihee of Korea 4:1 (11:1 10:12 11:3 11:3 11:4).
