Por CBTM
It was a notable achievement for the South American country that will host the World Veteran Championships in 2008.
In the crucial matches all members of the quartet came through successfully.
Ligia Silva beat Switzerland's Rachel Moret 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-5, Mariany Nonaka overcame Estonia's Karin Lindmae 11-6, 12-10, 8-11, 15-13, 7-11, 5-11, 11-8, Karin Sako accounted for Luxembourg's Simone Haan 5-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-7, 11-4, whilst Carina Murashige ended the hopes of Maria Laure of the Seychelles 11-5, 11-6, 11-7, 11-2.
Different
"It wasn't easy today, I'd practised but the practice conditions are quite different to those in the main arena", explained Ligia Silva. "The feeling for the ball was different and my first opponent today I'd never met before, so I was a little apprehensive."
The first adversary was Fatima Bouclare from
Butterflies
"I had some butterflies in my stomach", said Ligia Silva. "At the start of a match you feel your way, when it's someone you've never played before; you are looking for your opponent's strengths and weaknesses, after the first few points my nerves went, I felt confident and I was fine."
Style
The second match for the 2006 Latin American Women's Singles champion was against the left handed, Rachel Moret. "I'd watched her play Fatima Bouclare so I knew what to expect and having won my first match I felt under less pressure", explained Ligia Silva. "However, she's left handed and I really don't like playing that style of play."
"Today, my movement was good", said Ligia Silva. "That was very important, that's one of the main reasons why I won."
Similar
It was a very similar situation for Mariany Nonaka.
"I felt nervous before the match, we'd practised in
Toughest
The second match against Karin Lindmae was the toughest of all for the Brazilian quartet; it went the full seven games distance.
"I made a good start, it wasn't too difficult, there were lots of rallies and as rallies developed I felt comfortable", said Mariany Nonaka. "She had short pimples on her backhand and that caused me problems."
It is the fact that the ball travels at a low trajectory from the short pimples and the left hander can angle the ball very wide to the right hander's forehand, making fast movement a necessity.
Intelligence
"Also, she was clever, she changed tactics and that's why I lost the fifth and sixth games", continued Mariany Nonaka. "She served with more backspin and instead of flicking the return of service, she pushed fast and deep."
However, Mariany Nonaka is a fast maturing player and sitting courtside was a wise adviser, Hugo Hoyama. "It was good having Hugo there, he's a player, he understands", continued the Brazilian lady. "I changed, instead of attacking the backhand; I attacked the middle and the forehand."
Character
The change worked but it was Mariany Nonaka's strength of character that won the day; the two were level at 8-all, the Brazilian remained resolute, the next three points went her way, the left fist clenched in victory and the number one spot in the group was assured.
Victory for Mariany Nonaka and also for her colleagues; it was a good morning for
Source: Ian Marshall - ITTF
