The Dictator gets revenge
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Final
Defeated by Fan Zhendong at the 2019 Asian Cup in April but in Shenzhen it was a case of sweat revenge for Ma Long.
‘The Dictator’ displayed great character in his quarter-final meeting with World no.1 Fan Zhendong in what proved to be a thrilling contest: trailing by three games to one Fan saved a total of four match point opportunities but at the fifth attempt Ma Long made sure of the victory (11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 13-11).
Not to be for Timo Boll
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Final
Success earlier in the men’s doubles final but for Timo Boll it was a quarter-final exit from the men’s singles draw.
The fifth seed from Germany was outclassed by the master of penhold Xu Xin in four straight games (11-4, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6), who moves through to the last four where Lin Gaoyuan awaits.
Stay tuned for ‘Clash of Giants’
Not long now until Fan Zhendong and Ma Long face off in a mouth-watering quarter-final contest – make sure to watch live with itTV.
Mima Ito knocks Ding Ning out!
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Final
Japan’s Mima Ito, seeded seventh, will take her place in the last four of the women’s singles event, producing an excellent performance to eliminate top seed and local favourite Ding Ning by a 4-1 margin (7-11, 12-10, 18-16, 13-11, 11-9).
“My tactics were to attack more from the very beginning. Today’s match was all about attacking. I know Team China has been doing research on me that is why I lost to many Chinese players this year, but I am happy. This means I am making progress. I am happy today to beat Ding Ning through my efforts – I played against Wang Manyu three times last year. I am looking forward to tomorrow’s match. I will forget the victory against Ding Ning and make full preparations tomorrow.” Mima Ito
Awaiting the Japanese teenage ace in the penultimate round is another host nation competitor in the form of no.4 seed Wang Manyu.
Chen Meng means business
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Final
In the battle between two Chen’s it was Chen Meng who held the upper hand against fellow Chinese compatriot Chen Xingtong in an exciting quarter-final encounter.
Third seed Chen Meng needed just three games to seal victory over the no.14 seed (11-9, 11-5, 11-3, 11-7), setting up a semi-final meeting with Zhu Yuling in the process.
German stars stun home crowd
Men’s Doubles: Final
Recently crowned men’s doubles World champions but on home soil Ma Long and Wang Chuqin missed out on the opportunity to lift the trophy in front of the China faithful. At the final hurdle Ma Long and Wang Chuqin were outclassed by the German pair of Timo Boll and Patrick Franziska, who negotiated the affair without dropping a game (11-8, 11-7, 11-5).
Women’s Doubles champions react
Here’s what the successful partnership of Liu Shiwen and Gu Yuting had to say following their first title win as a pair:
“This is our first time being paired with each other… My partner performed good today. Doubles events needs the efforts from both players. I think today we carried out our planned strategies and tactics. I have a lot to improve upon in doubles – I hope I can do better in the future.” Liu Shiwen
“I was very happy but also very nervous to be paired with Liu Shiwen because she is much better than me. She encouraged me a lot. I felt very relaxed in the finals thanks to her.” Gu Yuting
Upset as qualifiers prevail
Women’s Doubles: Final
Well, well, well. Spectators in Shenzhen witnessed another seeding upset in the second final of the day with qualifiers Gu Yuting and Liu Shiwen beating top seeds Wang Manyu and Zhu Yuling to the women’s doubles title in straight games (11-7, 12-10, 11-9). The Semaster 2019 China Open marked Gu Yuting and Liu Shiwen’s first appearance together as a doubles pair!
Winning combination react
Following the conclusion of the match both Cheng I-Ching and Lin Yun-Ju praised one another’s performance:
“My partner performed really well today. He made a lot of chances for me. We lost at the World Championships so this time we came with better mindset. I just want to focus on every point.” Cheng I-Ching
“I would rate my partner 100 out of 100! She played very well.” Lin Yun-Ju
Chinese Taipei duo claim gold
Mixed Doubles: Final
Fourth seeds Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching have secured their spot on the top step of the medals podium in Shenzhen after the pair from Chinese Taipei recovered from a game down to stun the top seeded pair from Hong Kong, Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem by a 3-1 score-line (10-12, 11-6, 11-1, 11-5).
Gold medallists in Oman earlier this year, in China it was a repeat outcome for Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching.
Lin Gaoyuan staves off recovery beats Liang Jingkun
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Final
The previous day in the second round of the men’s singles event, Lin Gaoyuan had performed a remarkable recovery, saving five match points in a row and then a further four to beat Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov; one day later after winning the first three games against colleague Liang Jingkun, the no.9 seed, he lost the next three before securing the vital seventh.
In the deciding game he Lin Gaoyuan made the better start, at the change of ends he led 5-1, only for the deficit to be down to one point at 6-5; he elected for “Time Out”, a prudent move, he won the next four points, eventually converting the victory on his third match point (11-9, 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 6-11, 6-11, 11-8).
Success for Lin Gaoyuan and a degree of revenge; he had experienced defeat in their only two previous meetings in world ranking events, at the semi-final last year on the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour in Korea Republic and earlier this year in final at the Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Plus Portugal Open.
Tomokazu Harimoto books semi-final place
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Final
A stunning 13 stroke rally to conclude matters, Tomokazu Harimoto, the no.4 seed, beat Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting, the no.14 seed (11-7, 11-5, 11-3, 10-12, 12-10) to reserve his place in the semi-finals.
Staying close to the table, Tomokazu Harimoto controlled the play, time and again Wong Chun Ting being forced back, executing top spin play in his trademark athletic manner.
“I was a bit nervous and made some mistakes when I led 10-9 in the fourth game; finally I found my rhythm again. In the fifth game, he led at the beginning but I managed to come back. I am happy that I won. I know they did some research to beat me but I managed to played at higher level than what they had planned and that is why I won today. I lost most of matches when my opponent managed to come back but this time I won. I think I have made some progress.” Tomokazu Harimoto
Tomokazu Harimoto who beat Wong Chun Ting (Photo: Rémy Gros)
World champion falls, defending champion prevails
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Final
The defending champion, Wang Manyu, the no.4 seed, beat Liu Shiwen, the no.5 seed and crowned world champion just over a month ago in Budapest (11-6, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 13-11) to reserve her place in the semi-finals. Liu Shiwen was never able to find the rhythm and speed of play demonstrated in the Hungarian capital city; Wang Manyu proving the more consistent player, notably as a precaution when holding match point at 11-10 in the fifth game calling “Time Out”.
“She is the current World Champion. I just put myself in the challenger position. I have been watching her playing since a very young age and she is very strong. I needed concentrate 100 per cent on court. I feel a bit nervous at the end of fifth game. I had some match points and she came back. So I called a “Time Out” to let myself calm down.” Wang Manyu
Zhu Yuling beats Cheng I-Ching
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Final
China’s Zhu Yuling, the no.2 seed, beat Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, the no.8 seed (7-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-4, 11-5) to reserve her place in the semi-finals; undoubtedly the turning point in the match was the close second game when Cheng I-Ching had opportunities to establish a two games to nil lead.
“She has made a lot of progress recently so I expected that the match today would be tough. I did not give up when I was behind in second game. I think the 12-11 point in game two was the turning point of the whole match We played against each other several times so we are very familiar with each other. She played really well today and gave me a lot of pressure especially at the first two games. After I won the second game, I felt a bit relaxed.” Zhu Yuling
Day starts
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
China’s Zhu Yuling, the no.2 seed, starts the day; she meets Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, the no.8 seed. Immediately following the defending champion enter the arena, Wang Manyu, the no.4 seed, confronts the player in form.
She opposes Chinese national team colleague, Liu Shiwen, the recently crowned world champion.
Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum China Open: Schedule of Play Thursday 30th June to Sunday 2nd June
