by Simon Daish
Men’s Doubles
Ma Long and Zhang Jike made light work of what on paper could have been a difficult match, as the Chinese pair overcame Japan’s Koki Niwa and Yuya Oshima without dropping a game.
While no more than a three point difference was recorded at the end of each game, it was enough to see Ma Long and Zhang Jike through (11-9, 11-8, 11-9).
“I have not played doubles with Ma Long for a long time. I think we performed better than yesterday. I am happy that many fans coming to support us. The more fans coming, the more we will enjoy the match” – Zhang Jike (China).
The other finalists are also from China after Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin came through their tie with Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting (both Hong Kong).
Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting actually led for a little while in the match following a strong performance in the opening end, but Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin levelled the scores by taking game two in deuce.
Two games later and it was all over for the Hong Kong duo of Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting, as Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin booked their spot in the final (6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-5).
Women’s Doubles
The Women’s Doubles tournament will also see two Chinese pairings battle it out for the crown, after a positive semi-finals stage for the home fans.
Chen Meng and teammate Zhu Yuling (both China) proved themselves worthy finalists as they knocked out Korea Republic’s Lee Yearam and Kim Haeun 3-1.
Game one saw Chen and Zhu dominate the play and they fully deserved to take a 1-0 lead in the tie. But Lee and Kim began to close the gap and despite another defeat in the second end, the Koreans dealt damage in third end to cut the games difference to one.
The potential for an exciting finale looked realistic, however, Chen and Zhu stepped up and made full use of the home support to grab the win (11-3, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5).
Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen will be the opposition for Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling with an all-Chinese Women’s Doubles final confirmed.
Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Hsien-Tzu and Chen Szu-Yu put up a brave fight in game two of their last four encounter, but Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen were on another level and they comfortably progressed winning in three straight games (11-3, 12-10, 11-5).
Latest Results
Saturday 17th September: Men’s Doubles – Main Draw
Saturday 17th September: Women’s Doubles – Main Draw
