S. Korea defeats Brazil to reach quarterfinals in women's table tennis team event
South Korean table tennis player Shin Yu-bin, right, and Jeon Ji-hee play against Bruna Alexandre and Giulia Takahashi of Brazil in the round of 16 of the women's table tennis team event at South Paris Arena 4 in Paris, Aug. 5. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
South Korea beat Brazil to move on to the quarterfinals of the women's table tennis team event at the Paris Olympics on Monday.
Shin Yu-bin, Jeon Ji-hee and Lee Eun-hye teamed up to beat Brazil 3-1 after one doubles and three singles matches at South Paris Arena 4 in the French capital.
South Korea will either face Hong Kong or Sweden in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. South Korea is on the same side of the bracket as the gold medal favorite China, and could meet the global table tennis powerhouse in the semifinals.
Shin and Jeon, the 2023 Asian Games doubles champions, defeated Bruna Alexandre and Giulia Takahashi 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-8) in the opening doubles match. The South Korean duo made a quick of their Brazilian opponents in 20 minutes without facing much trouble.
Brazil won the next match, the first singles contest, with Bruna Takahashi getting past Lee Eun-hye 3-2 (11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-4).
Lee appeared to take control of the match after rallying from a 7-3 deficit to win the third game 11-9. But then Takahashi won the next two games to finish off her match and tie the team score at 1-1.
In the next singles match, Jeon dominated Giulia Takahashi in a 3-0 victory (11-7, 11-4, 11-2).
Lee returned for the third singles match, up against Alexandre. And Lee had a much easier time than in her previous match, enjoying a 3-0 (11-8, 11-5, 11-6) victory to clinch the win for South Korea.
Shin, who won the mixed doubles bronze medal earlier in Paris, is trying to win her second medal. She finished fourth in the women's singles. (Yonhap)