10/30/2010
At the conclusion of the first day’s play in the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in Magdeburg, the crowd exited the Bördenhalle in buoyant mood; Timo Boll had beaten Japan’s Jun Mizutani to maintain his unbeaten record in the tournament.
On the second day, Saturday 30th October 2010, they left in ecstatic fashion, overjoyed; once again their hero had delivered. They stood in adulation.
Against the Chinese Taipei Express, Chuang Chih-Yuan, the German idol had recovered from a three games to one deficit to secure victory.
The Bördenhalle rocked!
Top Speed
Chuang Chih-Yuan started like an express train; in the first game he went ahead 7-1; it was one way traffic but then the traffic changed in the opposite direction.
Timo Boll levelled matters at 10-all but eventually at 15-13 it was success for Chuang Chih-Yuan.
Exhilarating Play
The quick-fire nature of the counter topspin exchanges delighted the crowd; it was superb sport, superb entertainment.
Time and again, Chuang Chih-Yuan directed his first attacks towards the backhand of Timo Boll; that is not to suggest that the Timo Boll backhand has any glaring weaknesses, it is measure of the respect for the forehand of Timo Boll.
The first three attacks executed by the German star from the forehand are as fearsome as any player; the amount of rotation imparted on the ball being more than other leading players on the world scene.
Timo Boll captured the third game.
Exhilarating Play
In the third game the level of the rallies was maintained, the rally that took the score from 3-2 in favour of Timo Boll to 3-all was a the very highest quality and thoroughly appreciated by the knowledgeable crowd.
Scintillating table tennis, top class; it was a pleasure to behold with Chuang Chih-Yuan moving up a gear. In the third game Chuang Chih-Yuan gained confidence from the fantastic point he won.
He established a lead, never looked back and secured the third game.
Exhilarating Play
In the fourth game Chuang Chih-Yuan maintained his level and established a 9-8 lead. It was a crucial stage of the match, a fact recognised by German coach Jörg Rosskopf. He called “Time Out”.
Timo Boll secured the next point to level but the next two went to Chuang Chih-Yuan; the man from Chinese Taipei was three games to one ahead.
Recovery
Facing the point of no return and urged forward by the cries of “Timo, Timo, Timo”, the German star recovered to win the fifth and sixth games and so levelled the contest.
Chuang Chih-Yuan continued the policy of attacking the Boll backhand early in the rally; arguably straining a grain too much, he made errors but he made life very difficult for crowd’s idol.
Every point was hard fought.
Deciding Game
In the vital seventh game Timo Boll made the better start; he went ahead 4-1; Chuang Chih-Yuan called “Time Out”.
Chuang Chih-Yuan won the next point but when the players changed ends Timo Boll led 5-2.
It was a lead that was never to be closed; the arrears were reduced to 7-5 but there was never parity.
Timo Boll was in the semi-finals, the crowd rose in unison; a standing ovation concluded the second day of action.
Semi-Finals
At the semi-final stage Timo Boll meets Wang Hao, Jun Mizutani confronts Zhang Jike.
