Table Tennis: Tin-Tin Ho pleased to retain women’s singles title at National Championships as preparation continues for Commonwealth Games
Tin-Tin Ho won the women's singles title at the National Table Tennis Championships (pic: Alan Man) - Credit: Archant
Paddington table tennis player took top honours in women’s singles, mixed doubles and women’s under-21 singles at nationals
Tin-Tin Ho continued her preparation for next month’s Commonwealth Games by completing a hat-trick of women’s singles titles at the PG Mutual National Championships.
The Paddington teenager, as she had in the last two finals, beat second seed Kelly Sibley to lift the title at the Copper Box Arena.
It was a close tussle as she prevailed 4-1 (6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8) and Ho said:
“Kelly was setting herself up in rallies and I was missing a few shots.
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“I started getting more back on the table and I’m really happy with how I played in the end.”
Ho and partner Liam Pitchford also claimed the mixed doubles title, auguring well for at least a repeat of their silver medal at the last Commonwealth Games.
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It was a dramatic victory against David McBeath and Kelly Sibley as they saved one match point in the fourth game and three more from 10-7 down in the fifth.
The final scoreline was 3-2 (11-9, 6-11, 8-11, 14-12, 12-10).
Ho said: “It was a really tough match but we managed to play good points when it mattered. In the end, we just had to relax and play.”
Ho also successfully defended her under-21 women’s singles crown, beating Maria Tsaptsinos 4-3 (9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-9, 12-10, 5-11, 11-6) in the final.
Ho and Denise Payet were beaten in the final of the women’s doubles, going down 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-7) to Sibley and Tsaptsinos.
Ho has been playing professionally for the Linz club in Austria during a gap year before starting to read medicine at the University of Nottingham.
She added: “I’ve been in Austria almost a year and I feel my game is coming on and I’m more confident and relaxed on the table. Being part of the team in Linz has helped me.”
After her success at the National Championships, Ho also took to social media site Instagram.
She posted: “Had a tough but great weekend so I’m really happy to win the national titles in women’s singles, mixed doubles and under-21s singles! Thanks Ping Ho and co. for the support (and making it look like I have friends). Now back to training for some exciting tournaments ahead!”
Perhaps the most exciting of those will be the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia from April 5-15.
