Impressive win by Xu Xin when China meets the WorldAn impressive result for the Chinese Team but somewhat harsh on their guests; not one contest was decided in straight games with the opening encounter between Xu Xin and Timo Boll setting the tone.
Xu Xin recovered from a two games to nil deficits and saved one match point in the third game to beat Timo Boll in a contest where every game was determined by the minimum two point margin.
It was a clash of the highest level, no easy unforced errors, both fought like gladiators in a Roman amphitheatre; the first game went to Timo Boll and the second, after Xu Xin trailing 8-10 saved a total of four game points, before eventually having to give way.
In the third game it was to some extent the reverse scenario, Xu Xin led 10-8 before Timo Boll won three points in a row to hold match point. The rising Chinese star saved the vital point as he himself won three in a row to win the game.
An opportunity had gone, Timo Boll never held another match point; in the fifth game theTimo Boll made the better start, he won the first three points but after a stupendous rally, Xu Xin levelled at 8-all.
Never again was Xu Xin in arrears, Timo Boll saved one match point when trailing 9-10 but he could not repeat the success at 10-11; Xu Xin had won a quite scintillating contest.
When Timo Boll had match point, I tried to calm down, telling myself than I was good enough to turn it around, says Xu Xin.
