Proud Moments, Alicia Coté Ends Day on Bright Note for Canada
2015 Pan American Games
Courtesy of ITTF

Desperately close to causing an upset on the morning of Wednesday July 22nd in her opening encounter in the first phase of the Women’s Singles event at the 2015 Pan American Games in Markham, Toronto; later in the evening, as play for the day came to a conclusion, it was a different story for the host nation’s Alicia Coté.

Only 15 years old, from Quebec, the youngest Canadian on duty in any discipline in the whole of the prestigious multi-sport gathering, she delighted her supporters as she caused a surprise and made her mother and father, who have followed her every contest, the proudest parents in the whole of the continent.

Full Distance Contest
In the morning session of play, the 36th highest rated player on duty, she had led Argentina’s Camila Arguelles, the no.20 seed, by three games to two before experiencing defeat (14-16, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7).

Once again, in her second contest she established a lead, only this time she did not let the opportunity slip from her hands. She beat Peru’s Angela Mori, the no.23 seed, in five games (11-7, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-7).

Played Well Overall
“I was sad that I lost this morning but it was only in the seventh game that I didn’t play well”, explained Alicia Coté. “I made some mistakes from my backhand but the match did give me confidence, overall I felt I played quite well.”

Against Angela Mori, the unforced errors were eradicated.

“My backhand was strong and I was more aggressive than I had been in my first match; I put more spin on the ball”, explained Alicia Coté. “Also, I was able read her services quite well, at the start of the match I was able to flip the service, later she served with more backspin and I was able to return short.”

Calming Influence
Sitting courtside, guiding affairs was Junya Chen, the Canadian Women’s Team National Coach.

“We went to China for one month for a training camp in Jiangsu Province”, explained Junya Chen, a lady who is a most calming influence, her manner clearly giving her players confidence in the heat of battle.

Forehand Improved
“Alicia has always been strong from the backhand, so in China we focused on improving her forehand”, added Junya Chen.

The efforts of Junya Chen had born from and she could reflect on the day with quiet pride.

Further Surprise
One surprise as matters concluded on the fourth day of proceedings in the Atos Arena and there was one more of note.

Ecuador’s Eunice Galvez, the 37th highest rated player on duty in the Women’s Singles event, beat Chile’s Katherine Low, the no.21 seed (11-9, 6-11, 4-11, 11-6, 12-10).

Qualification Rounds:  Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles
2015 Toronto Pan American Games: ITTF, Official Website

Quotes of the Day
2015 Pan American Games: Quotes of the Day – Wednesday July 22nd

Day Four: Play commences in the first stage of the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events
Photos by Thorsten Gohl