11-Point System Favors Korean Women`s Table Tennis Team

The Korean women`s table tennis team delivered the news of victory in succession from Germany.

The world ranking 7th place Ryu Ji-Hye (Samsung Life Insurance, photo) emerged as a winner of the women`s singles defeating Jie Schopp (GER) 4-1 in the final at 2001 German Open in Bayreuth on Sunday. It is in four years and four months that Ryu won the singles title in open tournament since the 1997 Brazil Open.

Prior to this, Kim Kyung-Ah (Hyundai Department Store) and Kim Bok-Rae (Korea Racing Association) beat Mihaela Steff (ROM) and Tamara Boros (CRO) 4-2 to take the women`s doubles title. Kim Kyung-Ah and Kim Bok-Rae signaled the birth of new strong pair in the world women`s doubles, winning their second consecutive title following the Japan Open last month.

A best player of the Korean team, Ryu Ji-Hye has played as an invitation player at Montpellier, France, from last month.

Ryu faced the turning point in her career as the 11-point system was introduced last month. Samsung coach Kang Mun-Soo explained that ``since Ryu is barely dependent upon the serve, Ryu has an advantage in the 11-point system alternating two serves.``

Ryu Ji-Hye succeeded to regain the title by using the drive as a main weapon to overcome the monotonous offensive patterns focusing on the push and the smash.

Coach Kang Mun-Soo said, ``The experience in the European league seemed to be very helpful for her. If we have a chance, we will pursue the plan to send Ryu to the Chinese league.``

Joo Sung-Won swon@donga.com