Chen pulls off the championship to make it two in a row!
Women’s Singles: Finals
What a relief for Chen Xingtong in the women’s final! The 22-year-old survived a perilous encounter with Japan’s dangerous Miu Hirano, a crafty player capable of fantastic comebacks. Chen went up early 3-0 and then stalled mid-flight, unable to counter Hirano’s formidable attacks and put the match away.
For her part, Hirano, just 19, executed impressive run to pull even from 0-3 in a matter of half an hour, erasing Chen’s lead and forcing a suspense-filled seventh game, where Chen finally prevailed. Final score: 4-3 in favor of Chen and China (11-5, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 12-14, 8-11, 11-8). It’s the second consecutive ITTF World Tour title for Chen, who also won the Swedish and Hungarian Opens in 2017, and a fitting way to close out a week of incredible play in Olomouc.
“I now have two titles in a row but I don’t have any goals for the future,” Chen said. “I will just focus on the next game and the next tournament and I will try to play my best again. The Czech Open was a very nice competition and I won it, so everything here was perfect.”
Hirano bringing the suspense
Women’s Singles: Finals
Down 0-3 after the first three games, Miu Hirano has fought her way to 2-3 against China’s Chen Xingtong, turning what might was looking like a rout into a close-fought final! Stay tuned. UPDATE: Hirano has won the third consecutive game, forcing a seventh with Chen in what is shaping up to be a phenomenal comeback. Either player could take the victory!
Lin gets his win!
Men’s Singles: Finals
It’s official: Lin Yun-Ju has won his first senior ITTF World Tour final! The talented 18-year-old from Chinese Taipei defeated table tennis legend Dimitrij Ovtcherov of Germany 4-1 (11-9, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9) to secure his first title at this level.
What does this mean for him and his career? “I still don’t know yet,” Lin said thoughtfully, adding thanks to his many fans for their support. He elaborated:
“I am very happy to win my first World Tour title. I played against German players Boll and Ovtcharov before so I was familiar with their playing styles. In the final, I felt comfortable because I was able to attack first. Also, my coach helped me today. He called time out when I was losing and he advised me to change tactics and service a little bit. I think that this title won’t change my career so much — the matches will be still the same, maybe even harder.”
A Lin Yun-Ju takeover?
Men’s Singles: Finals
Victorious in two of their last three meetings, Lin Yun-Ju may be headed for win number three: He leads Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov 2-0 so far in a battle of youth vs. experience. Lin has never won a senior ITTF World Tour Open before, but that may be about to change.
Xingtong sees off Feng
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
China’s Chen Xingtong has reached the final of the 2019 ITTF World Tour Czech Open, and in some style. In a 4-1 win (11-4, 11-3, 15-13, 7-11, 11-9) over compatriot Feng Yalan, Chen has a straight view of the gold medal now in her sights.
It was a reminder of the quality Chen has displayed over the past week, and Feng was her latest victim. The third game today was especially significant, when she came back from being 8-10 down to win 15-13. Japan’s Miu Hirano awaits in the final.
“The third set was really close. I didn’t have to change my tactics it was more about stay calm and focus on the game. After I took the set I was sure that I will win the whole match.” Chen Xingtong
Hirano wins Japanese domestic
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
Miu Hirano channeled her effective best in seeing off her compatriot Kasumi Ishikawa, and taking herself into the final later today.
It was a convincing performance after being pushed by Ishikawa, who seemed to know where exactly on the table Hirano would challenge her. This gave Ishikawa the opportunity to level the score early on, but Hirano had no plans of letting that pattern take over. She propelled forward with powerful forehand shots, meaning there was no way back for Ishikawa (11-6, 4-11, 11-6, 14-12, 11-6).
Clinical Dima reaches the final
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
The German had to dig deep and maintain his good run of form here in Olomouc as he claimed a spot in the finals, by beating Hugo Calderano 4-2 (7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 13-11, 6-11, 11-9).
Despite lasting longer than the other semi-final, Ovtcharov one-upped his friend Timo Boll in being more clinical to see off the challenge of Calderano. He was, naturally, very respectful of his fellow veteran’s performance:
“Hugo is a world-class player and it was a very hard match against him. But I did well in all the crucial moments of the match so I am happy that I will play the final later today.” Dimitrij Ovtcharov
Another thriller on the cards?
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov and Brazilian Hugo Calderano are currently engaged in a fierce battle to reach the final of the men’s singles event here in Czech Republic.
Ovtcharov leads the match by 3-2 as we move on to the sixth game. Who will join Lin Yun-Ju in the final?
Boll and Lin speak out
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
After that intense match, both athletes gave rousing interviews in the mixed zone. Here are two snippets:
“I led 3-1 so that gave me the confidence of course. But Timo is a very strong player and he won the next two games. In the seventh game, I was 4-6 down but I tried to attack all the time. It worked and I am looking forward to playing the final.” Lin Yun-Ju
Boll was on the same page, saying:
“Last time I won against Lin but since then he made a big step forward. He is another player now and one of the future stars of our sport. In the seventh game I led 6:4 and I felt he was a little bit struggling. But then he risked some shots and he turned the score.” Timo Boll
…and Lin makes the final!
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
Well, well, well. This certainly has been an entertaining start to the final day, with Lin Yun-Ju playing a major part in that.
The 18-year-old showed no lack of composure against the man who is revered for it, and it led to an incredible match. After a splendid comeback into the game by Timo Boll, the athlete from Chinese Taipei refused to let up and made sure his marvelous performance came to fruition. In a semi-final lasting nearly an hour, Lin came out on top against one of the world’s very best and has earned himself a spot in the 2019 Czech Open final (12-10, 9-11, 11-2, 11-6, 5-11, 6-11, 11-8).
Boll up against it
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
In about the 35 minutes of play here in the Omega Sport Center in Olomouc, German legend Timo Boll has found life very difficult versus Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju.
The young Asian leads Boll by 3-1 right now and it will take an almighty effort by the German if he has to make the final. Keep an eye out for this one!
The main stages conclude today!
Catch all the live scores and upsets, here:
