Hong Kong duo turn on aggression to keep Paris Olympic medal hopes alive
- Draw opening up for Doo Hoi-kem and Wong Chun-ting, as Hong Kong sets sights on adding to Vivian Kong fencing gold
Doo Hoi-kem said unleashing an “aggressive” gameplan was responsible for Hong Kong’s mixed doubles table tennis duo booking a quarter-final clash with Spain on Sunday.
The seasoned duo of Doo and Wong Chun-ting survived a handful of wobbles for a 4-1 last-16 victory over Hungarian 11th seeds Nandor Ecseki and Dora Madarasz on the Olympics’ opening day.
The Honkongers won the opening set 11-9, despite falling 9-8 behind after leading 8-5. A sloppy third set allowed the Hungarians to get on the board. In set five, Doo and Wong, the No 4 seeds, were 5-0 down before they woke up to win 11 of the next 14 points, and seal an 11-9, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8 triumph .
Coach Liu Guodong had an animated chat with the pair midway through the clinching fifth set.
“He encouraged us to play how we want and to stop being passive,” Doo told the Post. “We had stopped playing a little bit and we had to be more aggressive. When we got back to playing our way, with aggression, we were much better.
“We were a little nervous, because we have high expectations of ourselves. But we know each other well, so we communicate and encourage each other, and it feels good to win that first match.”