SINGAPORE – Feng Tianwei’s 12 months resulted in defeat on Sunday (Dec 5) however Singapore’s high paddler vowed to return again stronger in 2022.
The 35-year-old veteran misplaced 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-7) to world No. 1 Chen Meng within the quarter-finals of the inaugural World Desk Tennis (WTT) Cup Finals on the OCBC Area.
World No. 11 Feng stated: “I believe I performed fairly nicely. Chen Meng is a significantly better participant than me in each method so she had the benefit. I attempted to seek out options however she actually performed very nicely right now.”
Having been away from dwelling for over a 12 months, she relished the chance to play in entrance of native followers and stated she was trying ahead to a well-deserved break right here.
Feng, who is especially primarily based in Japan, stated: “I believe having a contest right here is basically good as a result of the individuals in Singapore do have an curiosity in desk tennis. In the event that they maintain it right here yearly, I hope I can take part so long as I have never retired.
“I have been abroad for over a 12 months and even coming right here for the competitors, all of the gamers are in a bubble so I have never gone dwelling but. I am need to go dwelling and relaxation for just a few days.
“That is my final competitors however subsequent 12 months, there’s the Commonwealth Video games and Asian Video games and if I get to compete, I hope to get some good outcomes for Singapore.”
Tokyo 2020 champion Chen, 27, was happy together with her efficiency and the best way she overcame her preliminary unfamiliarity within the new venue.
She stated: “I’ve performed in opposition to Feng Tianwei a variety of occasions so I perceive her taking part in fashion fairly nicely. At this time, my focus was additionally higher and I felt extra concerned within the match in comparison with yesterday.
“There have been some thrilling rallies right now so I am pleased to win the match. The semi-finals will check my endurance and the opponents can be a lot stronger too so I hope I can proceed doing nicely and get stronger.”
Subsequent up for her is compatriot and world No. 6 Wang Yidi, who eradicated Japanese Hitomi Sato 3-1 (11th of September, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8) within the different last-eight conflict of the US$600,000 (S$823,000) event.
Males’s world No. 1 Fan Zhendong continued his dominant type as he obtained previous South Korean Jeoung Younger-sik 3-0 (11-6, 16-14, 11-6) within the quarter-finals.
Fan, 24, who claimed the world championship final week, thanked the group for his or her cheers.
He stated: “The atmosphere was superb and it is actually essential for an athlete to expertise this sort of environment. Whether or not it was right now or yesterday, I had a number of assist and it helped me focus so I used to be capable of do my greatest.
“Jeoung carried out very nicely right now. Within the second recreation, I attempted to not assume an excessive amount of in regards to the factors however I used to be decided to not let him tie the rating.
“He stunned me with a variety of his photographs however I used to be capable of keep calm and made certain to take it one level at a time.”
It is going to get more durable although from right here, because the semi-finals and finals are better of seven matches.
Fan stated: “It’s going to be extra demanding on me bodily and mentally.
“Whether or not it is stamina or willpower, I am going to should be targeted for an extended time period so irrespective of who the opponent is, his situation can be superb, so I am going to simply do my greatest to organize and put up m greatest efficiency.”
