Olympic Games | 27 Jul 2021

Darko Jorgic reaches new heights, quarter-finalist on debut

Photo: Rémy Gros ITTF

Accepting the challenge with open arms, Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC emerged the man of the moment on Tuesday 27^th July at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

In the fourth round of the men’s singles event, he caused a major upset.

On debut in the prestigious multi-sport event, the no.18 seed, he accounted for the host nation’s Tomokazu HARIMOTO, the no.3 seed (10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 10-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7), a player tipped as a medal candidate.

Outstanding form and the end of the road for a host nation player, it was the same later in the day. Showing not a hint of charity, Germany’s Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, the no.7 seed, halted the aspirations of Koki Niwa, the no.12 seed (11-4, 7-11, 11-0, 11-7, 11-9).

Success for Germany but there was defeat. Timo BOLL, the no.8 seed, was beaten Jeoung Youngsik the no.10 seed (11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-4). The success for the young man from the Korea Republic being achieved after, by the very narrowest of margins in round three, he had overcome Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece, the no.35 seed (7-11, 11-7, 8-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-6, 14-12).

A fourth round exit for Timo BOLL, it was the same for Portugal’s Marcos Freitas. The no.16 seed, he was beaten by China’s FAN Zhendong, the top seed (11-6, 11-6, 11-2, 5-11, 11-3). Similarly, for Frenchman Simon GAUZY; his ambitions were halted by the redoubtable MA Long, the no.2 seed (11-6, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5).

Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals

11.00 Fan Zhendong (CHN) v Jeoung Youngsik (KOR)
16.00 Darko Jorgic (SLO) v Lin Yun-Ju (TPE)
21.00 Hugo Calderano (BRA) v Dimitrij Ovtcharov (GER)
20.00 Ma Long (CHN) v Omar Assar (EGY)

Meanwhile in the women’s singles event, Germany’s Han Ying, the no.12 seed, kept the European flag flying.

In round three she ousted Australia’s JIAN Fang Lay, the no.58 seed (11-9, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8), before halting the aspirations of Singapore’s FENG Tianwei, the no.6 seed (13-11, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8), a player she has now beaten in all five international engagements.

Otherwise for the old continent in the women’s singles fourth round, it was farewell.

Britt EERLAND of the Netherlands, the no.16 seed, was beaten by Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem, the no.8 seed (11-13, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8).

Likewise, Austria departed the arena. Sofia POLCANOVA, the no.10 seed, lost to Japan’s Kasumi ISHIKAWA, the no.5 seed (11-8, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9), LIU Jia, the no.55 seed, who in round three had beaten Puerto Rico’s Adriana DIAZ, the no.9 seed (11-9, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9), departed at the hands of Korea Republic’s JEON Jihee, the no.7 seed (11-1, 10-12, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4).

Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals

12.00 Chen Meng (CHN) v Doo Hoi Kem (HKG)
10.00 Kasumi Ishikawa (JPN) v Yu Mengyu (SGP)
15.00 Mima Ito (JPN) v Jeon Jihee (KOR)
17.00 Han Ying (GER) v Sun Yingsha (CHN)

The semi-finals of both the men’s singles and women’s singles events will be played on Thursday 29^th July; in addition, the women’s singles medal matches will be completed.

One day later, on Friday 30^th July, the men’s singles medal contests will be staged.