by Simon Daish

Honoka Hashimoto’s campaign was brought to a close after the fourth seeded player on display in Slovenia lost out to second seed Miyu Kato in the lower half of the semi-finals draw.

Last month at the ITTF World Tour event held if Doha, Miyu Kato required the full seven games distance to see off her fellow compatriot but in Otocec it was a far more convincing performance from the 18-year-old; she accounted for Honoka Hashimoto in straight games (11-9, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7) to move through to the gold medal contest.

The other competitor progressing to the final is Sakura Mori, seeded third, following her strong outing against no.10 seed Minami Ando.

While the tie was won in five games there was actually very little between the two players with four of the ends being decided by a three point margin or less, but there could only be one winner and that turned out to be Sakura Mori (11-4, 11-8, 9-11, 13-11, 11-9).

Miyu Kato and Sakura Mori will fight it out for the Women’s Singles title at 15.30pm (local time).