A timeless champion
Runner-up has her say
A third consecutive Women’s World Cup final for Zhu Yuling who, despite her defeat at the final hurdle, is pleased with how she performed in Chengdu:
“I have not been in good condition recently. But I think I performed well in the tournament. I tried my best to win every point from the very first match. This is something I think I did well this time. Liu Shiwen hadn’t won any titles since the World Championships. I did some reflection on myself and raised my requirements, so this time I did not think about my previous results at the World Cup. I just played this tournament as the World Championships or even the Olympic Games!” Zhu Yuling
“This title is very special to me.”
Fresh from setting a new Women’s World Cup record with her fifth title success – here’s what the 2019 champion Liu Shiwen had to say:
“I was much younger the last four times that I won the World Cup. This World Cup is the last one before Tokyo 2020, so this title is very special to me. Today’s match was really tough and close. I am very happy that I did not give up and still tried my best even when I met some difficulties during the match.” Liu Shiwen
Liu Shiwen is Women’s World Cup champion!!!
Final
And she’s done it! Liu Shiwen has been crowned a record breaking five-time Women’s World Cup champion in Chengdu after powering to a 4-2 victory over Zhu Yuling.
2017 champion Zhu produced a mighty performance in game five, racing into a 7-0 lead on her way to the game win (11-3). Game six was extremely tight with world class rally after world class rally being won by both players. At 10-9 up Liu pulled off a sensational backhand winner down the line to bring the match to a halt (4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9).
Amazing scenes followed with Liu thrusting her hands in the air and fans cheering at the top of their voice. Congratulations to the Uncle Pop 2019 ITTF Women’s World Cup champion Liu Shiwen!
World champion on a roll
Final
Liu’s momentum continues to build at a rapid pace. Claiming game three by a three-point margin (11-8), Liu then manages to fight back from a 2-5 deficit in game four to lead 6-5. Zhu calls a time out in an attempt to disrupt her opponent’s run of points it has an immediate impact but it is short lived as Liu takes the game (11-6) and sails into a 3-1 lead.
Service ace brings Liu level
Final
That’s much better from Liu Shiwen – the World champion ups the pace in game two and looks far more confident in her approach. Serving at 10-8 up, Liu catches Zhu out with a quick serve up the line and win the game on an ace service (11-8). We’re all square at 1-1 here.
Exciting opening to title contest
Final
The local fans in Chengdu have enjoyed what they’ve seen so far. Both finalists are displaying great table tennis with Zhu Yuling’s power looking particularly impressive. It’s the 2017 champion who holds the early lead (11-4) but there’s still plenty of water left to flow under this bridge.
It’s time for the main event
Here we go – it’s time for the Uncle Pop 2019 ITTF Women’s World Cup final. It’s Zhu Yuling vs Liu Shiwen in a repeat of the 2017 title contest. Who will lift the cup?
Amazing journey comes to an end
Defeat in her closing encounter but Lily Zhang can leave Chengdu with her head held high – she has outperformed expectations, entering the event as a wildcard, beating the likes of Miu Hirano and Sofica Polcanova and finishing in fourth position, making US history in the process.
Bronze medallist reacts
Another Women’s World Cup medal for Feng Tianwei who was full of praise for the tournament’s surprise package Lily Zhang:
“I am very satisfied with my performance here. Actually my goal was to reach the top eight, but now I have brought home the bronze medal. I am very happy. This is my first time playing against Lily. Today she posed a big threat. She is an outstanding player. I know she is a top student as well. It is not easy for her to achieve this high level.” Feng Tianwei
Crazy game decides match
Bronze medal match
A strong fight back from Zhang sees the American claw a game back to extend the match (11-5) but it was game five that stole the show: down 7-10 Feng won saved three consecutive game points before saving an additional game point to stay in the contest then it was Zhang turn to embrace her inner warrior as she held off two match point opportunities.
However, at the third attempt Feng finally converted (15-13) to seal the win and collect the bronze medal (11-6, 11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 15-13).
Mountain to climb
Bronze medal match
Zhang is putting up a brave fight but she has a huge mountain to climb if she’s to turn this around. Games two and three are decided by three-point margins in the Singapore player’s favour (11-8, 11-8) – Feng is looking good for the win but can she get over the finish line?
Advantage Feng
Bronze medal match
Feng Tianwei strikes first in the bronze medal contest – both players started the opening game well with nothing between them at 6-6 but Feng didn’t drop a further point (11-6) and holds a deserved lead. Can Lily Zhang respond?
3rd/4th place play-off
It’s time for the bronze medal match in Chengdu as Singapore’s Feng Tainwei meets face-to-face with USA’s Lily Zhang – who are you backing?
Who’s ready for the World Cup Final?
Things are settling in nicely as we prepare for the final showdown between two elite women athletes. Who’s got your vote?
So what happened when these two last met?
And it’s an all-China finale!
Semi-finals Match 2
China’s #2 seed Liu Shiwen pulled no punches as she took care of the World Cup’s wildcard challenger Lily Zhang in straight games (11-6, 11-1, 11-5, 11-5 ) and reached within touching distance of a record breaking 5th title!
In all of 27 minutes, the four-time winner never looked like giving a chance to Lily and it was an immaculate performance which left fans wanting for more. Thankfully we still have a chance to see more of each of these athletes with the 3rd-4th place play off and the finals to come!
“This is my first time to play against Lily, so I had made full preparations for this match. For the final today, I believe Zhu and I – we are very familiar with each other. I lost to her several times in the latest two years. I just want to play out my tactics tonight.” Liu Shiwen
So who joins Zhu in the final?
Semi-finals Match 2
World Champion Liu Shiwen has taken a swift 3-0 (11-6, 11-1, 11-5) lead over USA’s national champion – and talk of the tournament – Lily Zhang. Is there a way back for Lily?
And the top seed reaches the final!
Semi-finals Match 1
There was too much of a Chinese pressure at the table for Feng Tianwei to work with, and she ended up unable to push her opponent into a final seventh game (11-1, 11-13, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5).
“Today I entered into the match rhythm very quickly. I led 7-2 in the second game, but Feng Tianwei is a very-very experienced player. She managed to come back and forced me to be a bit anxious in the third game. As I said Feng is very experienced, she is very clever on the court. Every point matters in the match against her. I need to give out 100% to win point by point.” Zhu Yuling
Zhu Yuling has made her third final at the Women’s World Cup and will look to make it a second title later today. For Feng, a third-fourth place pay-off awaits.
Zhu back in it?
Semi-finals Match 1
The Chinese top seed has won two games back-to-back herself and now the tie reads 3-2 in her favor. Will Feng have enough left in the tank to make this a 7-game decider?
And Feng turns the tables!
Semi-finals Match 1
Zhu took the first game with an 11-1 showing, but Feng has switched things into her control by winning the second and third games 13-11 and 11-9 respectively. Who’s looking more likely for the final?
Any early predictions?
Semi-finals Match 1
China’s Zhu Yuling has started brightly against Singaporean veteran Feng Tianwei with 7-0 point lead in the first game. Is she on the path to the final?
