Brazilian Teenager Shocks Olympic Silver Medallist at ITTF World Team Classic
Crowned Latin American champion four days earlier, Brazil's 17 year old Caroline KUMAHARA caused the biggest upset on the opening day of play, Thursday 28th March 2013, at the Times Property World Team Classic in Guangzhou.
Listed at no.176 on the current Women's World Rankings, she beat Kasumi ISHIKAWA, named at no.9 and a member of the Japanese silver medal winning team at the London 2012 Olympic Games, in the opening contest of proceedings.
"I tried to play consistently and after winning in San Salvador on Sunday I felt in a good rhythm. I think one of the main reasons for my win was that in the short play and receive of service I did well."
Unfortunately KUMAHARA's heroics were in vain; as the strong Japanese team went on to win the match three-one.
Hong Kong's Women's team, seeded fifth, shocked the third seeded Koreans, winning a pulsating match, three games to two. LEE Ho Ching recovered from her loss to YANG Haeun in the second match of the fixture to claim victory over PARK Youngsook in the decisive game and seal a vital victory.
"I was not confident playing YANG Haeun in my first match as I lost to her in Qatar after being up three-nil", said LEE Ho Ching. "I had not played PARK Youngsook before so I just fought for every point and thankfully we got the win."
The Women's Chinese team breezed through their two matches to remain the red hot favourites to claim the gold in front of their home crowd on Sunday.
