By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports

Singapore Indoor Stadium, Tuesday, August 24, 2010 – Singapore’s mixed duo of Isabelle Li and Clarence Chew managed to avoid an upset by coming from behind to beat Intercontinental 2 2-1 in their first match of the first stage in the Mixed Team Event.

Russia’s Yana Noskova stunned Isabelle 3-2 (11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 9-11, 9-11) in the first singles game, before Clarence leveled the tie for Singapore by beating Uzbekistan’s Elmurod Holikov 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-6). In the doubles, the Singaporean duo managed to beat the intercontinental pairing 3-1 (11-3, 11-2, 4-11, 11-8).

Isabelle looked to be the favourite to beat Noskova when she won the first set 11-6. Although briefly falling behind 5-6, she managed to score six straight points to clinch the set.

However, uncharacteristic errors crept into her game from the second set onwards.

She failed to deal with Noskova’s attacking play and fell 2-6 behind. Although she scored four straight points to tie it up at 6-6 and pushed ahead 8-7, Isabelle conceded four straight points herself to lose the set 8-11.

The third set was an evenly-balanced one with the scores tied at 7-7 at one stage. Isabelle’s patient approach ensured she got three straight points to reach set point. Although Noskova saved a set point, Isabelle managed to close the set 11-8.

In the fourth set, Isabelle fell 4-6 behind but fought hard to take the lead at 9-8. However, just like in the second set, she failed to capitalise on the lead and conceded three straight points to lose 9-11.

In the crucial fifth set, Isabelle made the mistake again of not taking advantage of her hard-fought lead. After falling behind 6-7, she pushed ahead 8-7. Noskova managed to level it at 9-9, and took the set 11-9 as well as the game.

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It was down to Clarence to save Singapore’s day.

A nervous start to the set did not affect his morale. Although initially falling 1-5 behind to Elmurod Holikov, he fought back with four straight points to level it at 5-5. It was tied at 7-7 before he again scored four straight to clinch the set 11-7.

He trailed 5-7 again in the second set but overpowered the Uzbek with six straight points to win the set 11-7.

The scores were 6-5 in the third set when he scored three straight points to lead 9-5. Eventually the Uzbek succumbed 6-11 to the Singaporean, giving both teams a point apiece.

In the doubles, Clarence continued where he left off as his coordination and teamwork with Isabelle proved too much for the intercontinental pairing.

The Singaporean duo raced to a 5-1 lead in the first set and managed to close it 11-3.

The second set was an even more straightforward one with their opponents’ coordination found wanting with several unforced errors.

Isabelle and Clarence dropped the next set 4-11 when they failed to get the ball over the net a couple of times. However, under the watchful eyes of the Singapore Table Tennis Federation (STTF) president Lee Bee Wah, they managed to clinch the fourth set 11-7 with Noskova failing to deal Clarence’s accurate shots for the final two decisive points.

Isabelle looked slightly disappointed after the match when she revealed that it was her second loss in three individual match-ups with Yana Noskova.

“I guess it came down to the last two points and also who made more mistakes. I made some easy mistakes today,” she reflected. “I guess I just have to take it slowly and give myself some time. I’ll come back more focused for the next game.”

When asked whether the silver medal she received yesterday for the women’s singles competition was weighing on her, she said, “I didn’t think so much about it. I was fighting really hard for the past few days so physically I’m a little tired.”

Meanwhile Clarence appeared a satisfied teen.

When asked about his performance in the crucial game against Holikov, he said, “I guess the key is just to remain calm because we’re 0-1 down. I just kept my composure and played my normal game.”

The duo will play their final group matches against Egypt at 4.30pm and Africa 2 at 7.30pm today to determine their qualification for the next stage.

Both matches will be played at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

For Singapore fixtures and results, go to our 2010 YOG fixtures page