2016 Asian Cup: Liu Shiwen Regains Title, Once Again Li Xiaoxia is Miss Number Two

Courtesy of ITTF
Runner up one year ago in the Indian city of Jaipur, Liu Shiwen regained her Women’s title by emerging successful in an all-Chinese final on the afternoon of Saturday April 30th at the 2016 Nakheel Asian Cup, in the splendid setting of World Trade Centre in Dubai.

The top seed, she beat the second seed, Li Xiaoxia in five games (11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 14-12, 11-7) to arrest the prestigious crown.

Recovered from Disappointment
“I’m really happy to win this title today, especially after my early defeat at the ITTF-Asian Olympic Qualifiers just last week”, said Liu Shiwen who had experienced an unexpected reverse at the hands of the host’s Doo Hoi Kem.

“Certainly, I was affected by that defeat, so for me to forget that and be ready within a week for this tournament was a challenge, I’m glad I met the challenge”, added Liu Shiwen, who secured the title for a record fourth time an in addition gained no less than her sixth podium finish in the tournament.

Previous Success
In addition to one year ago in Jaipur, she had been the runner up in Hangzhou; whilst having won previously in Guangzhou in 2010 and 2012, as well as in Hong Kong in 2013.

Injury
Success and success again but there was an air of reservation.

“Li Xiaoxia actually injured her knee prior to the tournament, so she wasn’t in her best playing condition today”, stressed a very humble Liu Shiwen. “During the match, I was not thinking about the scores, whether I was losing or winning; I was merely trying my best to take each game at a time.”

Third Time
Defeat for Li Xiaoxia, once known by her fans at Miss Number Two having been the runner up in the Women’s Singles event at the World Championships in both 2007 and 2011, meant that for the third time she had finished in runners up spot in the Asian Cup.

In 2005 in it was her lot in New Delhi and in 2014 in Wuhan.

Bronze for Feng Tianwei
Gold for Liu Shiwen, earlier in the day it had been bronze for Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, the no.3 seed; she beat Hong Kong’s Tie Yana, the no.7 seed, the reserve the third step of the podium (11-7, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6).

“I felt in a good rhythm today against Tie Yana; after losing yesterday and not retaining the title it was consolation to win the bronze medal”, said Feng Tianwei.

Fourth Podium Finish
It was for Feng Tianwei, the fourth time that she had won a medal at the Asian Cup; in addition to last year in Jaipur, she was the runner up in 2008 in Sapporo and in once again in 2010 it was third spot in Guangzhou.