2012 champions China went up against the People’s Republic of Korea in the quarterfinals in the team event. China were the heavy favorites going into this one sending out their best trio in world number one Liu Shiwen, gold medalist in the singles, Ding Ning and the silver medalist, Li Xiaoxia. The DPR Korea team had Kim Song I, Ri Mi Gyong and Ri Myong Sun in their side looking to cause an upset. However, China was rarely troubled in their clean sweep of victory, winning their three matches without dropping a single game.

Li gets the ball rolling

Li, the reigning silver medalist in the singles got the match under way for China against DPR Korea’s Ri. Li was her ruthless self, asserting control in proceedings from the start. There was a point of time when Li trailed four points but she fought back to take the lead. In the opening game, Ri kept close to her but the Chinese was able to eventually close it out 11-8.

Li gives China a good start | Photo: Juan Mabromata/Getty Images
Li gives China a good start | Photo: Juan Mabromata/Getty Images

Li, who thus far only lost games in her singles medal match against compatriot Ding, wasn’t about to do it again anytime soon. As she took a two-game lead, the 69th ranked Korean gave one last push in the third to try and salvage a game. However, Li was not about to let up and she sealed the match 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 to give China the lead.

Liu gives China a comfortable lead

World number one Liu was up next for China and she was up against 21-year-old Kim. Kim who had troubled Ding in the singles semifinals looked to be DPR Korea’s best bet to pose any kind of challenge to the Chinese paddlers. It was the first meeting between the two players. The defense-orientated Kim, however, was no match to Liu losing the first game 4-11.

Liu barely troubled | Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Liu barely troubled | Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

She just wasn’t able to find any way past the Chinese and Liu cruised to 11-5 in the second game. Kim offered more fight in the third but Liu was always stronger. And in the end, offense won against the defense as the Chinese wrapped up the match 11-4, to 11-5, 11-8 in 23 minutes putting China firmly in the driver’s seat.

Chinese power away in the doubles

Easy for China in the doubles | Photo: Juan Mabromata/Getty Images
Easy for China in the doubles | Photo: Juan Mabromata/Getty Images

DPR Korea in a do-or-die match had Kim return together with Ri Myong Sun. Ding stepped up for the doubles alongside Liu. The Koreans gave everything they had but went down 7-11 in a tight first game. Time was running out for the Korean pair but the match and tie were China’s to lose. The Chinese stepped it up a notch powering away the next two games 11-3 to seal the deal for China.

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About the author
Pavitra Ganesan
Tennis enthusiast and aspiring journalist.