Site Products
Turning up the heat, Adriana Diaz ice cool in freezing Stockholm

Turning up the heat, Adriana Diaz ice cool in freezing Stockholm

(by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor)
Turning up the heat, Adriana Diaz ice cool in freezing Stockholm
Sweating palms, tense moments, brought the group stage of the Women’s Singles event, at the qualification tournament for the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open, to a close

Korea’s Lee Zion turned up the heat, Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz remained ice cool in freezing Stockholm.

On the evening of Tuesday 14th November Adriana Diaz eventually beat Korea’s Lee Zion in seven games (6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 15-13, 6-11, 7-11, 12-10).

In the decisive seventh game against Lee Zion, playing in a positive manner Adriana Diaz established a 10-7 lead. Continuing in the same fashion trying to play strongly from the backhand, attempting to play down the line but stretching for the ball somewhat, the efforts flew long.

Lee Zion levelled matters but the 17 year old Puerto Rican, now well attuned to the rigours of international play, kept her composure. The next two points and a place in the preliminary round was secured.

“She’s a tough player and it’s always close, we played earlier this year in Belarus and I won four-two. She is fast and consistent; she is strong from the forehand and safe from the backhand, she has good services.” Adriana Diaz

Also, I would suggest Lee Zion is making notable progress; at last week’s Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open, she reached the quarter-final stage of the Under 21 Women’s Singles event, losing narrowly to Japan’s Miyu Maeda.

One wondered not playing expansively but safely against Adriana Diaz, she might perform a recovery of note; she didn’t achieve the task but she can mightily close.

There is a saying that you should not annoy a player of high quality; seems quite unintentionally that is what Lee Zion did!

“I was really angry with myself when the last game went to 10-all; I hated it but I tried to erase it from my mind. I said to myself start again, start again from zero-zero and win the next two points.” Adriana Diaz

For full article, please click here

Latest News

Death of the Kill

October 28, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) There was a time that the smash, especially on the forehand side, was considered the… Read More

Right Shoulder Rotation Into the Table

October 27, 2025
Serve, short game, flip with defense to offense (wait function) Jhon serves short backspin, robot plays short backspin… Read More

MLTT Week 4 Recap: Chicago Wind Steady at Home, New York Slice Make Their Mark

October 26, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Fourth Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) event was played in Bensenville, Illinois… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Joyous Table Tennis Club

October 26, 2025
(By Steve Hopkins) Joyous Table Tennis Club provides 8 professional tables in one of the largest professional table… Read More

France takes Gold in Euro Team Championships

October 26, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo ETTU) The French team with the Lebrun brothers, Simon Gauzy, Thibault Poret, and Flavien… Read More

Jha to Face Calderano as Draws for Montpellier are Posted

October 26, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) USA’s Kanak Jha will see action on Wednesday, on the second day of the WTT… Read More

Dang Qiu Wins WTT London

October 26, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Dang Qiu benefitted from some upsets in his half of the draw at this week’s… Read More

Sanuka Herath – 2025 Canadian Senior Table Tennis Championships

October 26, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights, Sanuka Herath is in action at the 2025 Canadian… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.