Stay close, Wu Yue wins bronze

(by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor)
Stay close, Wu Yue wins bronze
Crowned Pan American Games champion in 2015, Wu Yue of the United States secured the third place in the Women’s Singles event at the 2017 ITTF Pan American Cup in San José, Costa Rica on the afternoon of Sunday 30th July.

The no.5 seed, she accounted for Chile’s Paulina Vega, the no.7 seed (11-5, 11-3, 10-12, 11-8, 12-10) in the bronze medal contest.

The hallmark of Wu Yue is her consistency and control when playing close to the table; it was that factor which helped her secure the first game.She restricted the opportunities afforded for Paulina Vega to execute her favoured forehand top spin.

Relaxed, and causing Paulina Vega problems when serving short to the forehand, Wu Yue won the second game in style.

Throughout Wu Yue stayed close to the table; credit to Paulina Vega, she fought for every point, recovering from an 8-10 deficit to capture the third game. Determined, in the fourth game Paulina Vega reduced the deficit from 6-9 to 8-9, forcing Jörg Bitzigeio, the United States coach, to call “Time Out”. The break work, Wu Yue won the next two points; a three games to one lead was established.

However, Paulina Vega was never able to assert her authority on matters. Never giving ground, Wu Yue created angles, timed the ball that fraction sooner than her adversary. At 10-6 in fifth game she held match point; more positive than ever before, Paulina Vega, saved all four match points but at 11-10 could not make it a fifth. The bronze medal belonged to Wu Yue.

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