Nanyang Polytechnic, Monday, 12 January 2009 – Nanyang Technology University (NTU) beat rivals Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) in four out of five rounds of table tennis. However, NYP won in the sole doubles game against NTU.
It was an important match for both NYP and NTU because it determined the team that goes on to the semi-finals as the winners of the group in the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic table tennis game.
The first singles game featured Janilyn Kok from NYP and Lee Yi Shi from NTU. This was not a well-matched game, as Kok found it hard to return Lee's offensive strokes. NTU won the three sets with ease.
On her loss, Janilyn Kok, NYP, says, “It was not my best game. Maybe if I was less nervous, I could have played better.”
Lee Yi Shi from NTU says, “Even though I won the game, I am not satisfied with my performance. I made quite a few mistakes, such as my service.”
The next game pitted Mavis Zhou and Lim Liwen from NTU against Chui Jiayi and Gace Lim from NYP.
The rapport between the NYP duo was evident as they frequently made eye signals and hand gestures to each other before each service.
It paid off as their speed drive strokes with rapid attacks earned them an early 3-0 lead over NTU.
Chui Jiayi's service produced a stronger topspin and higher speeds. The duo ended the first set with the score 11-3, led by NYP.
The second set started with powerful trajectory from the NTU team.
The NTU team appeared to have discovered the weakness of their opponent and was responding accordingly.
NTU earned the first two points in the game. Chui returned NTU's Zhou service with a large backswing, earning a point for NYP.
The NYP duo continued to dominate the game with their unpredictable strokes and accelerated topspins. The second set ends at 9-11, led by NYP.
The NYP duo went on to win the third set with the close score 13-11.
Chui Jiayi comments, “It was a good game. I guess one of the reasons we won is because of our service. The opponent was not able to figure out for to return our service, it can be rather tricky.”