MVP CUP THIRD DAY - Europe gets back at Asia in MVP Cup 2

MANILA - Yao Jie wore down world No. 1 Zhang Ning to pull off a shock 21-19, 18-21, 21-11 victory as Europe got back at Asia and ruled the MVP Cup Asia vs Europe 2 with a 10-8 victory at the close of the $100,000 duel at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

Jie, who bowed to Zhang, 11-8, 11-0, when Asia reigned over Europe, 11-8, last year, came out smoking in the deciding set, racing to an 11-5 lead before thwarting every Zhang fightback with solid returns and efficient offense to complete the victory and clinch the tie for Europe.

"I feel very proud to beat the No. 1 player in the world although I felt that it was not the usual game of Zhang Ning," said Yao, ranked No. 7 in the world, through an interpreter.

It was only Yao's second victory in many faceoffs with the Chinese ace but this one proved sweeter as it sealed Europe's victory in the event, 10-5, reducing the final men's singles match between Lin Dan of China and Denmark's Kenneth Jonassen into a non-bearing match.

But Jonassen still played his guts out and dragged the world No. 2 in a three-setter before eventually bowing out, 13-21, 21-14, 14-21.

Europe, which lost to Asia, 7-11, in last year's inaugural of this event held in honor of PLDT and Smart chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, thus won the top $60,000 purse. The Asians settled for $40,000.

Trailing 4-5 going into the final three matches worth three points apiece, the Europeans seized a 7-5 lead after world No. 10 Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter-Juhl outlasted the local tandem of Kennie and Kennevic Asuncion, 22-24, 21-17, 21-18, in the mixed doubles to the disappointment of a big Sunday crowd.

The Asuncions, who reached a career-high No. 21 ranking in the world following victories in Australia and New Zealand and a runner-up finish in the recent Philippine Open, kept the crowd on its feet with a thrilling first-set win. But they failed to sustain their momentum and trailed the rest of the way as Laybourn and Rytter-Juhl, ranked No. 10 in the world, imposed their will to thwart the Filipino tandem's upset bid.

"It was not easy because we knew the Filipinos are playing very good here on their homecourt," said Thomas. "We had a very good start but they came back and tied the score. We just had to get used to the court and the lights. Then it got better in the next two sets."

Last year, the Asuncions also won the opening set against world No. 1 Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson last year and likewise dropped the next two, 12-15, 17-14, 15-1, under the old scoring system of the event backed by JVC, Nokia, Snickers Chocolates, Information Gateway, The Philippine Star, Toby's Sports, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Yonex-Sunrise, Discovery Suites, California Pizza Kitchen and Gatorade.

"We're just happy that we came close to them. But you know it was hard," said Kennie. "We just want to thank the fans and hopefully we'll do better next year.

Definitely it was a big help that people were cheering for us. It gives you more energy. It really helps."

Asia swept Europe in the first day, 3-0, but the latter struck back by winning two of three matches in the second day worth two points each for a 4-5 deficit, which the Euro players overhauled with Laybourn and Rytter-Juhl's victory.