Sofia Polcanova vs Bernadette Szocs | WS R16 | #WTTMacao 2026

One of the things that we love about Soch especially, that feistiness, that fire in her belly, it's unquestionable. You think of those games in particular against Hannah Goda recently where, quite frankly, at some point because it's so, so strong, she'll look to carve it into the body, the left hip of Sofia Polkanova. Bernie tends to struggle to hit past her because she's got those long limbs, not keep trying to hit with hard power and just actually move. It is impressive how well she recovers for a big girl Polkanova, but she can't. Sofia read that there was an opportunity to forehand flick, but Bernie sent it right back. There's a little bit of that fire over the table. And again, changes of direction. It sounds super simplistic. Same place twice. Oh, it's perfect. Long serve into the crossover. In this half of the draw. She couldn't have asked for a worse draw, Soch. Yeah, for two players who she wouldn't have wanted to necessarily play. But in terms of styles and head-to-heads who she normally hates playing, this is amazing. Half-long serve. Wow, same pattern again. Oh, Bernadette Soch has an eye to kill. And she has buried Polkanova in that first game. Is there any way back up there from Sofia Polkanova? Geographic heritage at this upcoming finals. But when you look at this segment of the draw, Joe, it's quite interesting. They're all sandwiched together. Two Polkanova defeated. And of course Soch, who made sure that winter didn't come just yet in Macau. Intensity needed out of her when she attacks. She pushes then, you heard her racket. We've spoken about this wonderful... Loaded, wasn't it? Instructions. You'd think if you didn't know them that they hated each other. But they are a very closely knit team, Team Romania. At the moment... Bernadette's back. Time-out. The points have just been won on a canter here from Bernie. Where to play to around the table. And the complete opposite for Soch, who's picking all the right decisions. She's been in great form, Polkanova. We saw her against Kwai Man, and she was awesome, wasn't she? Really close to the second seed. Not at this event, obviously, but very recent. All aboard the comeback train for Polkanova. That might just be the best thing for her. To let off a little bit of steam. To be challenged. It's a heavy, heavy spin there. Good drive and good power. Half-long serve. Barely any room to maneuver. Oh, Soch! It was like a dance beat in there. For a few seconds. Too good. Putting real pressure on that diagonal. And Polkanova not... In table tennis. Battling their hearts out here. And it's Soch in the lead. There was a lot of times where she would create the opportunity. She just couldn't make the forehand land. And she's called an early time-out here. So much respect between them. But this is business. Kind of feels like it is from this point onwards, doesn't it? She'll of course be feeling like it is. The answers to the exam. It's almost surprising when you see. Slightly not feeling it. The level goes through the roof. That is masterful from Bernie. But also Polkanova. To shift left to right. That is not easy. She's going to have to do this the hard way. She's going to have to dig shots. Whips it away, Soch. She has to try and wrestle control. She has to try and spin deep on the table. More intelligent player than a lot of people realise. Oh, absolutely. You can be forgiven. This is a master at work. Who studies the game. Whose IQ is off the charts. A player who has beaten the Olympic champion, Chummung, twice. Bernie Soch. She is doing what she wants, when she wants. Dangerous, dangerous Polkanova. This is on track to being the fastest session of the event so far. All of them straight games. And this is going to be the same, surely, from here. Polkanova apologises. That was a serve that was sent out there as bait. To try and draw out a forehand topspin out of Bernadette. Now when the Puerto Ricans start, Adriana Diaz is the first one to change direction. Tomahawk forehand from Soch. As if. Getting in to the quarterfinals. 8-10. Oh, this is unreal from Sofia. Trying to just attack with blunt force the backhand of Bernadette Soch. She's making the table wide. Oh, it's sensational resilience from Sofia Polkanova. And if she could steal this game now, it would become very, very interesting in this best of. Quite a few. Maybe four. I would. Oh, and she misses the serve, Soch. My goodness. I tell you what. Bernadette Soch is going to be very unhappy with you, that you jinxed her, saying this is going to be three-love, mate. Strawberry from Polkanova. Slow spin and she takes the game. And it's a Houdini-like escape from the European champion. That is unthinkable. And Bernadette's fuming right now. You can hear her in a talk with Janet Sernay, her coach. How did that slip? Thomas Lapuza against Hugo Calderano, but business still to be done here. And any time Polkanova can... Game three, rather. She's saved three match points, Sofia. One all. She was 9-4 down. Of course it is. To Fully. Sweep under the carpet if you're Soch. They know how to remove that doubt from their mind and go again. Three, two, three. Better than everybody else at trying to and being present. But it's got to be there somewhere, right? Changes of direction now coming from... Look at them go. Three, four. Switch first, change direction. It's doing really well for them. That's dangerous from Soch. Maybe play it up the line into the open space for Polkanova. Sizzling shot from the European champion. What a shot she covers the ball. Look at the momentum. Eighty-four. Against her best friend in table tennis who probably by now could have been home and dry. Eighty-five. There's that parallel you asked for, Joe. But the rally goes on. What did we see at the introduction of there? The tomahawk serve. Oh, my God. One hand on the floor, Sofia. Two nets. Clever from Soch making it a guessing game. Oh! If that would have landed, it would have been... Winning the rally go through the roof. Tomahawk serve from Soch. She backs it up. Oh, but so consistent. Sofia Polkanova has brought it back from the depths of despair. Potentially, but these two know each other arguably better than anyone else in the world. Oh, it's like Miwa Harimoto. That ready position. This is the difficult... I think she might... What can she do with hers here? Polkanova, pendulum. Good push from Soch. And again, she's... Such a receptive table. She can do lots of damage there, but if Polkanova can force her back or force her... Hoping. Getting exhausted. And here we go. The lioness. Wouldn't be surprised if Polkanova wins this one. She might roll back. There you go. Oh, yes. And now in a tug of war for a spot in the quarterfinals. It's another tomahawk from Soch. She's not going for... You said... I mean, because I expected to see the tomahawk. I was right about that, but that's big from Bernie. Again... Reverse pendulum. Top edge of the racket from Bernie, but Polkanova played it beautifully. And you're stunned, Joe. I thought the point was over. Polkanova hit one and stood upright. That is... Soch hit a top edge of the racket with her forehand. That is world class. See another match in Macau. It would be relief more than anything given where she was in game number three. It's a winning serve, but that's where Polkanova is losing control. That's the key thing there. Spinning and winning. I can't wait to hear the roar and then the hug afterwards. Because they are great friends. But they're fierce. She is now just two away. A little bit of short touch play. She gobbles it up, Polkanova. This one just drifted a little too long. Third ball attack from Soch and your hard skip to beat. A nail-biting finish. To this classic of a champions match. And it's Bernadette Soch who sings to her knees in celebration as she defeats her best friend, Sofia Polkanova. And that deserves a hug because Polkanova saved a great... 10-7 up and 2-0 up in games. And she showed you it's possible. She showed you the mental strength that we know she's got. Bernadette Soch. First Sabina Winter and then the history books told you this was going to be plain sailing for Polkanova but it wasn't. She's adaptable. She's feeling good in Macau and up next, number one seed for her.