TABLE TENNIS: Mother of two Jian Fang Lay has toppled world number 55 Sofia Polcanova 4-2 to progress to the third round of the women’s singles.

Lay, 43, was thrilled not only at her 11-8, 11-7, 11-4, 6-11, 10-12, 11-7 win, but the fact that her son Nathan, 11, was there to see it.

“It’s his first time watching me play in international competition,” she said.

“It was a long flight for him.”

Her third round opponent is yet to be determined.

Lay had control of the match early, responding comfortably to the Austrian’s fast-paced style. With fewer distractions than during her first match against Maria Dolgikh (Russia), Lay was focussed, determined and effortless in her attack.

However, when Polcanova turned around from 4-2 down in the third set to win 6-11, Lay started to sense trouble.

“I won the first sets quite easily but when she started coming back at me I realised I had to change my plan,” she said.

“That’s when I started to play more positively.”

Lay is in her fifth Olympic campaign and is the only Australian remaining in the singles draw. Melissa Tapper, Dave Powell and Chris Yan were all eliminated in the first or preliminary rounds.

Tapper and Yan were both defeated 2-4 while Powell went out in straight sets.

Lay will compete in the third round on Sunday, 7 August, at 6pm (Monday, 8 August, 5am AEST).

Candice Keller

olympics.com.au