Words of relief
Chen Meng is understandably delighted to get the win over Mima Ito, but was quick to praise her opponent for her development over the years:
“I’m very glad that I could stop Mima Ito because she has beaten seven of my teammates. The progress of Mima Ito has been incredibly fast. It was much more difficult playing against her today than when I played her several years ago. Each point was a real contest. I’m delighted to have won in Sweden, now I must prepare for Germany.” Chen Meng
Chen Meng is women’s singles champion
Women’s Singles: Final
A loud roar and a high-five with coach Ma Lin, Chen Meng snatches victory from the jaws of defeat in Stockholm with a simply superb display in game seven: all-square with Mima Ito at 5-5 but top seed Chen didn’t concede a further point, claiming the next six in a row to lift the trophy (8-11, 11-6, 7-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5).
The result means Chen remains unbeaten in her head-to-head meetings with Ito and marks her first women’s singles title on the ITTF World Tour since the 2019 ITTF World Tour Korea Open in July.
Down to the wire
Women’s Singles: Final
Chen makes it back-to-back game wins to force a decider. Facing two Ito’s serves at 9-9 Chen remains calm, out powering her Japanese counterpart at both times of asking. You don’t want to miss this!
World no.1 stays in the match
Women’s Singles: Final
Surviving one game point opportunity in game four but Chen can’t stop Ito from claiming the second opportunity as the Japanese no.7 seed pulls 3-1 clear. With pressure beginning to mount Chen gives a stronger showing in game five to reduce the games deficit to 3-2. Will Ito successfully put her name over the line or could a comeback win be on the cards here?
Chen Meng responds but still trails
Women’s Singles: Final
A slow start to the match but World no.1 Chen enjoys a better showing in game two, prevailing by a convincing five-point margin to tie the scores at one game apiece. However, the Chinese star struggled to capitalise on her momentum in the following game as Ito moves in front once again – It’s 2-1 in the 2018 champion’s favour.
Defending champion edges ahead
Women’s Singles: Final
It’s Mima Ito who sets the early pace in the women’s singles final with a narrow win in game one: down 8-6 challenger Chen Meng levels the scores at 8-8 but Ito doesn’t surrender another point, taking the game 11-8.
One match remaining
Concluding the programme is the women’s singles final as Chen Meng attempts to dethrone defending champion Mima Ito in an exciting line-up.
Big aspirations for newly crowned champion
Success in Stockholm, Wang Chuqin now has his sights set on even greater heights:
“I performed very well today. There have been surprises along the way; most of the players I have beaten have been highly ranked power players. I have waited a long time for this title; finally I succeeded! Most certainly it gives me a great deal of confidence for the future. My hope is to play in the Olympic Games, it’s a big challenge but I hope not too big. I will fight to reach the goal.” Wang Chuqin
Wang Chuqin storms to victory!
Men’s Singles: Final
What a performance! Wang Chuqin has just secured his first men’s singles title on the ITTF World Tour after completing a dominant 4-0 victory over Lin Gaoyuan (11-8, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9). Third seed Lin showed some fighting spirit towards the back-end of game four, saving three match and championship points but Wang held his nerve to seal gold.
Time out doesn’t have desired effect
Men’s Singles: Final
Losing out in game two, Lin Gaoyuan held a slim 4-2 lead in game three only for his opponent to win three points in a row. Lin calls for a time out but to no avail as Wang moves even closer to glory. He leads 3-0!
Early plaudits for Wang
Men’s Singles: Final
Advantage Wang Chuqin! In a tight opening game it is the younger player who has made the brighter start in Stockholm – holding two game point opportunities at 10-8 up, Wang needed just the one to establish a 1-0 lead (11-9).
And we’re back
Following a short break to the proceedings we’re back with the first title contest of the day as Wang Chuqin and Lin Gaoyuan meet in an all-China men’s singles final.
Who will be crowned champion?
A Mama Mima comeback!
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
The shining star of Japan made sure she broke the all-Chinese domination across the Swedish Open titles, as she rallied from two games down to see off Sun Yingsha 4-2 (8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 11-3).
“After losing the first two games I didn’t really change anything, I just tried to keep a strong mental approach and play positively; that’s is most certainly the reason why I won, not necessarily technical or tactical but being strong in the mind.” Mima Ito
Both Asian athletes were going shot for shot in this intensely fought semifinal, but Ito always seemed to have the thirst to defend her title in her mind. She needed to dig deep to win the third game, which completely changed the face of the match. Eventually, the 18-year-old Japanese caught up with Sun’s backhands and finished the match using her powerful serve to setup a final against the world#1, Chen Meng.
Chen reaches final after coruscating display
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
The world #1 displayed her class against Liu Fei as she reached the women’s singles final recording a stupendous 4-0 win (11-5, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7).
In just over 40 minutes, Chen took no prisoners as Liu had to deal with her Chinese compatriot’s speed shots every game. Despite her best efforts, Liu could not budge the shakehand play of Chen who could almost smell the final as she completed a straight-games win. Now she awaits her opponent in the final – Mima Ito or Sun Yingsha – later today.
“I am satisfied with my performance here in Sweden. It is the first time I have played in a semi-final; this tournament was the first time I have played on the centre court. I think I lack a little in experience for big matches. Chen Meng is more experienced than me; I joined the Chinese national team in 2011.” Lui Fei
Lin stops Fan’s comeback in time
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
Lin Gaoyuan needed a heavy effort on his part to stop the comeback journey of the defending champion Fan Zhendong in Stockholm, as he reached the final after a 4-2 (6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5) win.
In a match lasting 52 minutes, Lin was in the underdog position going up against Fan who has been hugely successful here at the Swedish Open – 2014, 2015 and 2018 respectively. However, Lin took his chances very well despite dropping the first game. The younger Chinese was especially effective on his opponents serve, meaning Wang Chuqin will have his hands full later today in the men’s singles final.
“I have to prepare for each tournament, each tournament is a new start, it was a tough match today but beating Fan Zhendong two weeks ago at the Asian Championships has boosted my confidence. I was to use the tactics on which I had decided. The third game was close; that was the most important game.” Lin Gaoyuan
Wang makes final after clinical display
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
Wang Chuqin kept true to his nickname of the “Silent Assassin” as he calmly handled the challenge posed by Liang Jingkun in the semifinal of the ITTF World Tour Swedish Open.
Winning the match 4-0 (11-5, 11-5, 19-17, 11-9), Wang never let Liang get into his groove, something that was seen when the elder Chinese athlete won in Portugal earlier this year. Instead, we saw a vintage Wang Chuqin performance that takes him to another World Tour final, where he will want to repeat the feat he achieved in Geelong, Australia.
“I was well aware of the importance of the third game, 3-0 is much different to 2-1; I took a “Time Out” towards the end of that game because I did not feel mentally stable. I needed to calm down and compose myself. Liang played really well in the third and fourth games. At 9-all in the fourth I was really determined.” Wang Chuqin
