Singapore paddlers continue good run at Olympics
By Channel NewsAsia's Dominique Loh in Beijing | Posted: 20 August 2008 1639 hrs

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BEIJING: Singapore paddlers continued their good run at the Olympics by winning their opening singles matches.

In the men's singles second round action on Wednesday, Yang Zi overcame Portugal's Marcos Freitas 4-2.

On the women's side, Feng Tianwei won 4-0 against South Korean Dang Ye Seo in the third round.

Yang Zi opened the score by taking the first game 11-4. But he dropped the next two 6-11, 2-11. Yang quickly bounced back, sealing the remaining games 11-3, 11-9, 11-6.

Yang said: "I was nervous... It's my first Olympics. My opponent's skill is also better than mine. I lost many points, especially in the middle of the match. Hopefully, I'll do better in the next match."

It was a much smoother game for Feng in her encounter against South Korean Dang.

Feng, fresh from winning a silver for Singapore in the team event, wrapped up the match in less than half an hour, winning 11-4, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5 to go into the last 16. Having played well, Feng was more satisfied about her own performance.

She said: "After the result of the team event, I have more self-confidence. There will be tough matches and the opponents in the draw are also very good, so my preparation has to be thorough."

In the evening, Li Jiawei beat Croatia's Boros Tamara 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5 to join Feng in the last 16.

But Wang Yuegu suffered a 1-4 upset in her third-round encounter with Dominican Republic's Wu Xue.

Wu beat the Singaporean 11-9, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10.

- CNA/ir