Tennis Semis!!

The Hall 2 tennis team faced Hall 9 in the Semi Finals on the night of 29 January. We were most determined to win the match and enter the finals.

The men’s singles saw Alex in the field, playing his best against his opponent. His play could be described in five C’s. Calm and composed, he confidently and competently cruised through the game and defeated his opponent 9-0.

Unfortunately, Peiqi was not so lucky in her game. The Hall 9 ladies’ singles player was a worthy opponent, and managed to secure an early lead. Peiqi fought valiantly like a hero, and managed to gain 2 points, eventually conceding a 2-9 score.

Yongtse and Siying were the next to finish. Certainly as skillful as they are beautiful, the ladies’ doubles turned out to be a fierce catfight with many spectacular moments. When the smoke cleared, they were looking at a valuable 9-1 score. I guess that they being skilled badminton players, tennis must have been instinctive to them, too.

Meanwhile in the other court, Willy and Zong Ming had a fierce battle in the men’s doubles. Most of their team mates have already finished their games, and were gathered around their court to support them. They were not disappointed, for they won 9-3 in the end.

The last match to finish was the mixed doubles. This was the longest match, featuring Adeline and Yuan Kai in action. Adeline is a skilled sportsperson who can play virtually every sport. Yuan Kai on the other hand was legendary for a back-from-the-dead game last year, also in mixed doubles; while having only one game point and the opponent was one game point to victory, where he turned the tables and miraculously won the match. The match was hard fought; truly a race to 9 game points, on both sides. Hall 2 took an early lead and after four games, the score was 3-1. The opponents defended well, and before long the score had reached 5-2. At this point, the men’s doubles have won and with that Hall 2’s victory was secured regardless of the outcome of this game. Nevertheless, the players on both sides continued playing to the best of their ability. This is reflective of the excellent morals of our players and opponents. They have indeed displayed the unfaltering value of sportsmanship, as well as the eternal spirit of Hall life. The score was on a tightrope of 7-6 (7 to Hall 2) when the announcement came that the lights will go off soon. The players opted to play on until the lights go off, and eventually the score was miraculously tied at 7-7. I guess this could be called a peaceful ending to a great war. As the players shook hands in the darkness, I felt that I have truly understood what it means to be a professional tennis player.

Fun facts and trivia, and quotes from players and supporters:

Many of our players and supporters have come down to play and watch despite having other commitments ranging from project meetings to personal appointments.

Some of the players made encouraging deals to each other. Two of them promised each other an ice cream treat if they won their match. I need scarcely say they now have to treat each other.

“At the start of this IH season, you invited me to come and support tennis. I could not, as I was busy with my games. The next thing I knew, we were out. So I told myself that if somehow, a miracle happens and there is another tennis game, I will definitely come and watch. A miracle did happen, so here I am.”

“Jiayou!! ICE CREAM!!”

“I couldn’t make it for your badminton semis. So I thought I should come and support today’s game, to make up for it.”

Wen Yuan

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