(28 July 1996; Day 9)
One of the few top-ranked players in the world to survive today's men's singles round, Joerg ROSSKOPF (GER) feels he is at the top of his game.
The way the German played today seemed to confirm his claim. He easily defeated France's Patrick CHILA in three straight games.
"I have a lot of self-confidence in my game right now," said ROSSKOPF, 27. "Today I was really good with my forehand. I just feel very good about my whole game now."
CHILA blamed his loss to the German on his form.
"I was not in good shape today," he said. "ROSSKOPF was very quick and fast. We are both left-handers and that is not an advantage for me. Last season we didn't play each other many times. I lost to him in January, too, in Germany. I'll beat him the next time."
ROSSKOPF said it is too late to worry about improving on any weaknesses he might see in his game.
"There is no chance to practice now that I'm here in the tournament. It's too late for that. All I can do now is to study my opponents and try to use different strategies against them," he said.
The next challenge in the men's singles tournament will come from Korea's KIM Taek-Soo, who upset the number-one ranked player in the world, China's KONG Linghui today. ROSSKOPF said he believes he now has a better chance of advancing to the semifinals.
"It will help me that KONG lost. I didn't have a chance to beat him," said ROSSKOPF, who lives in Muenster, Germany. "Now I have a short chance of winning the next match. But, once you get here, everyone has an equal chance. Everyone is a little nervous about being here."
ROSSKOPF is also in the men's doubles tournament. He and partner Steffen FETZNER(GER) will square off against China's LU Lin and WANG Tao in a rematch of the 1992 Olympic men's table tennis double final,where LU/WANG beat the German duo for the gold medals.
After the Olympic Games ROSSKOPF, who began playing table tennis at age five, said he plans to rest for several weeks. Then, he said he will be anxious to begin league play in Germany.
ROSSKOPF faces KIM 30 July.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Kim Chaudoin.
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