by Ian Marshall, Editor
However, two facts remained constant; China’s Ma Long is on track for a record 28th ITTF World Tour men’s singles title; Japan’s Mima Ito continues to be the biggest threat to Chinese female excellence.
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
…………Ma Long, the no.11 seed beat colleague Fan Zhendong, the top seed (11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 13-11) in the much awaited clash.
…………Lin Gaoyuan, the no.3 seed, withstood a spirited recovery by Chinese national team colleague, Liang Jingkun, the no.9 seed (11-9, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7).
…………Tomokazu Harimoto, the no.4 seed, kept Japanese hopes alive; he accounted for Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting, the no.14 seed (11-7, 11-5, 11-3, 10-12, 12-10).
…………Xu Xin was in fast lane; the no.2 seed, the Chinese star beat Germany’s Timo Boll, the no.5 seed (11-4, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6).
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
…………Japan’s Mima Ito, the no.7 seed, caused a sensation; she beat China’s Ding Ning, the top seed (7-11, 12-10, 18-16, 13-11, 11-9).
…………Reigning world champion Liu Shiwen, the no.5 seed, departed at the hands of colleague and defending champion Wang Manyu, the no.4 seed (11-6, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 13-11).
…………China’s Zhu Yuling, the no.2 seed, won a crucial second game to turn the tide against Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, the no.8 seed (7-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-4, 11-5).
…………Cheng Meng, the no.3 seed, ended the adventures of Chinese national team colleague, Chen Xingtong, the no.14 seed (11-9, 11-5, 11-3, 11-7).
Men’s Doubles: Final
…………Required to qualify, German’s Timo Boll and Patrick Franziska beat China’s Ma Long and Wang Chuqin, the reigning world champions (11-8, 11-7, 11-5) to secure the title.
Women’s Doubles: Final
…………Qualifiers Gu Yuting and Liu Shiwen beat colleagues and top seeds, Wang Manyu and Zhu Yuling (11-7, 12-10, 11-9) to emerge the champions.
Mixed Doubles: Final
…………Winners earlier in the year at the Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Oman Plus Open, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching, the no.4 seeds, beat Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem, the top seeds, in the title decider (10-12, 11-6, 11-1, 11-5).
