by Simon Daish
Commencing at 10.00am local time, the first order of the day sees two Chinese partnerships fight it out for the Women’s Doubles gold medal. Starting their journey in the qualification tournament, Liu Gaoyang and Zhang Rui will be looking to cap off what has been a tremendous run in style but seventh seeds Chen Xingtong and Sun Yingsha are sure to offer up a stern test for the qualifiers.
The second final of the day comes in the Men’s Doubles tournament, a fixture of significant importance for the local fans at the Eriksdalshallen with Sweden’s Mattias Falck and Kristian Karlsson set to feature.
Producing enthralling table tennis throughout the competition, including in their 3-1 victory against the top seeded pair in the quarter-finals, fifth seeds Mattias Falck and Kristian Karlsson will be hoping for further success when they meet the duo seeded one position above them in Chinese Taipei’s Liao Cheng-Ting and Lin Yun-Ju. If you’re looking to experience a memorable atmosphere, then this is the match for you!
Next up on the schedule, China takes on Japan as Zhu Yuling opposes Mima Ito for the Women’s Singles title.
The top seeded player for the competition and with the superior head-to-head record, Zhu Yuling is on paper the more likely candidate to come away with the trophy. However, we all know sport has a knack for springing up surprises from time-to-time and with Mima Ito heading into the final off the back of outstanding performances against Liu Shiwen and Ding Ning we could be set for an exciting finale to the event!
Completing the day’s programme is the Men’s Singles final, featuring a familiar line-up with Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin meeting in a repeat of the gold medal match held in Stockholm one year ago.
On that occasion Xu Xin emerged as the stronger player to lift the trophy but in their two encounters since that day the results have ended in Fan Zhendong’s favour. Crowned champion at the recent Liebherr 2018 Men’s World Cup, will Fan Zhendong claim another trophy to his name and dethrone Xu Xin or will the latter player leave Sweden with the title for the second year in a row?
Watch the action unfold live from Stockholm – Where to Watch
