Xu Xin (L)/Liu Shiwen of China compete during the table tennis mixed doubles round of 16 match against Wang Zhen/Zhang Mo of Canada at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, July 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)
"For us, every game is a do-or-die affair. We just focus on improving ourselves and playing at our best level on the court," said Liu Shiwen.
TOKYO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Being China's only representative in the table tennis mixed doubles event at the Tokyo Olympics, Liu Shiwen and her pair Xu Xin regard every match like a do-or-die matter.
"For us, every game is a do-or-die affair. We just focus on improving ourselves and playing at our best level on the court," Liu told reporters on Saturday after she and Xu rallied to beat Wang Zhen/Zhang Mo of Canada 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 and reach the quarterfinals.
"The atmosphere is intense at the Olympic Games, especially in the first match. We are not quite accustomed to the venue and opponents, and we need time to get ourselves into this game," she added.
"We had never expected to win the match in five sets, with six or even seven sets across our minds," echoed Xu.
"Losing the first set didn't affect us too much. Leading 3-1, we didn't think about the score, but focused more on connection and initiative in our attack," added the veteran penholder.
Xu and Liu will contend for a semifinal spot with Ovidiu Ionescu and Bernadette Szocs from Romania on Sunday.
The newly-added mixed doubles event in the Tokyo Olympics program features a total of 16 pairs, with each association eligible to field only one pair.
