Li Xiaoxia's win at the year-ending "Good Luck Beijing" International Table Tennis Pro Tour Grand Finals might have been "unexpected," but it had nothing to do with good luck.
"I feel so calm after this victory. I just tried to play my best game and I didn't expect the title," Li said after taking the title last weekend.
Besides her powerful attack and consistent backhand, the 1.74m-tall young gun now possesses the mental strength to become a champion - in particular at next year's Beijing Games.
After losing several title games including the 2007 World Championships, where she bowed to teammate and doubles partner Guo Yue, the 19-year-old took her first singles title at a high-profile international event, where the top 16 women paddlers competed for the last major crown of the season. Paired with Guo, Li also took the women's doubles title.
Li defeated world No 1 Zhang Yining in the semifinals to meet Guo, who fought back from 1-3 down to beat Li in the singles final at the 2007 worlds.
But this time, Li did not let this happen again. After a lightning start, Li took the match 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9.
The girl from North China's Liaoning Province took up the sport at the age of 10. Thanks to her strong physical abilities and talent, Li's sporting career was successful and several doubles and team titles at international tournaments.
"This victory just enhanced my confidence in terms of my technique and playing style," Li said
She thinks she has now found the winning key.
"I was too young and too anxious to win in the past but I didn't know how," Li said in recalling previous losses at finals.
"In the past six months my coach Li Sun and I have worked very hard on solving the problems I was experiencing psychologically. Now I am more calm and confident at those crunch moments."
With another three singles titles from the Pro Tour under her belt this year, the rising star has already become a strong candidate for next year's Olympic team lineup. Each country is allowed to send three players to contest the women's event at the Games.
Defending world champion Guo and current world No 1 Zhang have already ensured their berths at the Games, while Li has to fight against veteran Wang Nan for the last ticket.
