Rotterdam, the Netherlands, June 28, 2015 – Some people back home in China might expect that Wang Fan and Yuan Yue will bring back another World Championship trophy like Chen Xue and Zhang Xi did two years ago in Poland, but the Chinese girls try to be realistic.
“There is a bit of pressure”, Yuan Yue said after their second win on Monday in Rotterdam. “But we had a good talk with our coaches and we are fine. We just try to do our best, focus on our own game and play well.”
The two Chinese girls have won two silver medals on the Tour so far, the last one dating back to the Xiamen Open in 2014. For 21-year old Wang Fan this is her first World Championship, 27-year old Yuan Yue finished 17th in Rome in 2011.
“I was still a young player in Rome”, Yuan Yue said. “I didn’t know much back then, now I know the World Championship is one of the biggest events around. But we will just try to do our best.”
And so far, so good. Wang Fan and Yuan Yue are still undefeated since they booked their second 2-0 victory on Monday over Argentina’s Anna Gallay and Georgina Klug (23-21, 21-14).
The Chinese managed to break away at the end of each set, due to a strong serving Yuan Yue. Though in the first set they needed three set points to wrap it up.
“I was still a bit sleepy in the first”, Yuan Yue said. “Because I did a bit too much in warm-up for this match. But in the second I was awake.”
On Tuesday the Chinese will play Italy’s Marta Menegatti and Vicky Orsi Toth, who are also still undefeated, for top position in pool L.
If they top the pool they get to stay at the Rotterdam venue, where the stadium had been erected right in front of the iconic cruise ship ss Rotterdam.
The girls feel right at home on the 57-year old ship. “The setting is very unique en beautiful”, Wang Fan said. “We have got a really big room and we would love to stay here on the boat.”
According to Wang Fan the only thing they are missing is the food from back home, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem since they were spotted last night with bags full of Chinese take-out.