Flash Quotes
Kehinde OYENIYI (NGR) after losing to 3-0 Izabela LUPULESKU (SRB) in the Qualifying Round 2 of Women’s Singles
This is my first time playing in this kind of competition and I’m very excited. When I was playing, I noticed some of my mistakes that I need to correct and this means I will need to put more work into that as this is an exposure for me.
YANG Ha Eun (KOREA) after beating YANG Yiyun (CHN) 3-1 in the Qualifying Round 2 of Women’s Singles
This is my first time in Lagos, Nigeria and also my first time in Africa so this is a good experience and I hope I have a good game. I also think Nigeria is a country that is good at their sports. I’m so happy to win this first round, and I want to win more games.
Izabella LUPULESKU (SRB) after beating Kehinde OYENIYI (NGR) 3-0 in the Qualifying Round 2 of Women’s Singles
It is my first time in Nigeria as I was recently in Durban, South Africa for the World Championships while I had also visited Cape Town as well. Before the match, I was a bit stressed because the first match is always very difficult, and playing against a Nigerian player as the fans were supporting her. I was a bit under pressure but as the match progressed, I felt better to win the match. I love playing in this kind of atmosphere and I look forward to my next match.
Jules ROLLAND (FRA) after beating Adeola OLORUNTADE (NGR) 3-0 in the Qualifying Round 2 of Men’s Singles
Playing is very different because people are always supporting players from Nigeria and they are like 100 percent behind them. So when I played my first match against a Nigerian player, it was very difficult because I was not playing only against my opponent but against all the people in the hall. So it was very difficult. But I managed to play well in this match, so I’m happy. In the next match, I will probably play against my compatriot and my friend and I know it will be a difficult match. My goal in Nigeria was to play in the main draw and I will give everything tomorrow hoping that I will pay well.
Anders LIND (DEN) after beating Seongil JANG (KOR) 3-2 in the Qualifying Round 2 of Men’s Singles
To be down 2-0 and to recover and win a match is always very good. It showed mental strength even though this is not one of my proudest performances this year; I am still very proud that I came back and won this match.
Being my first time in Lagos, my experience overall is okay and the people are very polite and friendly.
Harmeet DESAI (IND) after beating Joe SEYFRIED (FRA) 3-0 in the Qualifying Round 2 of Men’s Singles
It was a quite good match because I am playing for the first time in Lagos and my first match was a tough opponent from France. Joe and I played a couple of months back in the French League and so we knew each other. I just tried to be aggressive from the start and the conditions are quite good.
Also, there are so many people cheering and supporting the local players here because normally, we don’t have many people coming to watch the qualification stage but it is quite nice here seeing so many people coming. It was a nice experience in my first match and I hope I can continue to do well.
JEET CHANDRA (IND) after beating Samuel Walker (ENG) 3-2 in the Qualifying Round 2 of Men’s Singles
I am very focused on this competition because, in my first match, I won by 3-2 and again, I won by the same margin. It was not an easy match against such a big and experienced player like Walker. I am still focused because I want to win my last match to be able to play in the main draw.
Source: ITTF Media