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laying in his third Olympic Games, Australia’s William Henzell gave his best performance to date in the quadrennial multi-sport event, on the morning of Sunday 29th July.

In London’s ExCeL Arena, at the 2012 Olympic Games, the Australian excelled. Currently standing at no.130 on the Men’s World Rankings, he beat Portugal’s João Monteiro to book his place in the third round of the competition.

It was a contest in which he appeared he was to be overwhelmed. In the opening game of the match, he could do nothing right; nothing at all. Whatever he touched turned to dull stone, whatever João Monteiro attempted turned to bright gold.

William Henzell enjoyed the best day of his Olympic life.

Scenario Reversed
After the first game, the scenario reversed, the Australian had the magic touch.

He beat João Monteiro in six games (2-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 12-10).

Overwhelmed
The opening game saw William Henzell overwhelmed; it was as though he had forgotten the match had started.

However, in the second game a more positive player emerged; especially when playing strongly from the backhand he proved most effective.

Service Factors
Equally, there two further factors both concerning the service.

William Henzell has his own serving action; a forehand service very much from the centre of the table. In the early part of the match, the service drifted long.

João Monteiro was able to attack with venom and seize the opportunity; in the later stages William Henzell was able to keep the service short and more than often became the first to attack.

Faulted on Service
Secondly, João Monteiro was faulted on his service in the third game; eventually he received a yellow card; it seemed to unnerve him, it affected his concentration.

Quadri Aruna Delights and Departs
A fine six games win for William Henzell and one of two second round Men’s Singles matches to catch the eye.

The other was the recovery of Turkey’s Bora Vang to beat the effervescent Nigerian Quadri Aruna; in a contest that delighted the crowd with the Nigerian in full vocal cry, a six games win was posted (6-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-2, 12-10, 12-10).

Ariel Hsing Outstanding
An upset in the Men’s Singles event thanks to the efforts of Wiliam Henzell; in the counterpart Women’s Singles competition, there was also an upset.

Ariel Hsing from the United States, only 16 years old, beat the most experienced player on duty in the Women’s Singles event; she overcame Luxembourg’s 49 year old Ni Xialian in six games (11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 11-5, 10-12, 12-10) to book her place in the third round in her first ever Olympic Games appearance.

Hard Fought
The win recorded by Ariel Hsing was one of the hardest fought of the morning’s session of play but there was one other. Xian Yifang of France eventually overcame DPR Korea’s Ri Myong Sun in the battle of the defenders.

Xian Yifang won in six games (11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8).

Farewell
Success for Ariel Hsing but for two players who has likewise impressed on the first day it was farewell.

Egypt’s 18 year old Dina Meshref was beaten by Romania’s Elizabeta Samara (7-11, 11-7, 13-11, 11-6, 11-8); whilst the host nation’s hopes came to an end in the Women’s Singles event.

Great Britain’s Joanna Parker was beaten by Germany’s Kristin Silbereisen (11-6, 11-7, 7-11, 11-2, 11-4).