Fact underlined, same accolade beckons with vital word missing

Crowned World Junior champion in 2013 in the Moroccan city of Rabat; in the opening round of the Women’s Singles event at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open in Doha on the evening of Thursday 23rd February, Gu Yuting underlined the fact that one day she might win the same title with the adjective “junior” missing.

Soon after, Chinese National Team colleague, Wang Manyu, who won the prestigious title in 2014 in Shanghai and the following year in La Roche sur Yon endorsed the same fact.

Once common denominator, there were two more; they followed each other on the same table and they beat players in a most emphatic manner who are at the vanguard of Japan’s bid for glory on home soil at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Gu Yuting overcame Miu Hirano, the no.8 seed and whatever riches she may be destined to achieve, she will always be remembered as the first player to win the Women’s World Cup not representing China. Ominously, Gu Yuting, after losing the opening game, accelerated to victory (7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5).

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“I lost the first game to Hirano because I was not used to her serves and the rhythm of her playing style. After that game, I adjusted and changed my tactics and took more initiative. I think it’s mainly my change in mentality in the match that helped me to turn the tide. I stayed calm to find my own rhythm in the game. I haven’t been playing any international matches so almost a year; it feels great to be back. It feels exciting, but I’m nervous at the same time. It’s bit hard finding back the momentum after missing out from international play for so long”, Gu Yuting

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