Women’s Doubles champions react
“We are both teenagers, but this doesn’t matter in a final. We tried our best and now we are really happy and satisfied with winning this title.” Miyuu Kihara
“After we were 2-0 in the lead, we thought we have already won the match. We didn’t put in the effort we should have, so they got the opportunity to come back. In the deciding game we focused on our game again and managed to put them under pressure.” Miyu Nagasaki
Kihara and Nagasaki hold their nerve to lift trophy
Women’s Doubles: Final
Falling short by the narrowest of margins in game four but Japanese top seeds Miyuu Kihara and Miyu Nagasaki were much the stronger pair in the decider, stopping their opponents’ comeback attempt with a commanding display to seal the win (11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-4).
This is Kihara and Nagaski’s first ITTF World Tour women’s doubles title and follows their recent runner-up finish achieved at last month’s 2019 German Open.
Sixth seeds on the scorecard
Women’s Doubles: Final
Losing out in game two (11-7) and finding themselves two games down on the scorecard, the picture wasn’t looking so bright for Chen Szu-Yu and Cheng Hsien-Tzu but a positive response in game three (11-7) sees the sixth seeds reduce the games deficit to 2-1.
Japanese pair recover to take opening game
Women’s Doubles: Final
At the halfway point of game one it was looking as though Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu and Cheng Hsien-Tzu were in firm control but Japanese opponents Miyuu Kihara and Miyu Nagasaki fought back from 1-5 down, winning 10 of the next 13 points to gain the lead (11-8) in the final.
Men’s Doubles awards ceremony
Here’s the 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum, bet-at-home.com Austrian Open men’s doubles champions Lin Gaoyuan and Liang Jingkun standing alongside runners-up Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu at the post-match awards ceremony:
Men’s Doubles champions discuss title success
Men’s Doubles: Final
“I feel very good on Austrian ground. Last year I took my first singles title at a Platinum event and this year we succeeded in the doubles.” Liang Jingkun
“We played some matches together already, so we are used to each other and harmonise better and better. After winning such a big tournament we are already excited for the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals.” Lin Gaoyuan
Liang and Lin emerge victorious
Men’s Doubles: Final
The Chinese duo have made quick work of the men’s doubles final, needing just three games to see off Jeoung and Lee (11-8, 12-10, 11-7).
Success for Liang and Lin, this marks their second-ever men’s doubles gold medal on the ITTF World Tour stage having won in Hong Kong earlier this year. For Jeoung and Lee the title score remains at six and have now finished in the runner-up spot on seven occasions.
Early lead for Chinese pair
Men’s Doubles: Final
It’s the lower seeded pair of Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan who have established the early advantage in the men’s doubles final with the third-seeded Chinese combination taking the opening game by a three point margin (11-8). Can Korean top seeds Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu form an immediate response?
Qian Tianyi’s extends impressive run
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
The player responsible for putting World champion Liu Shiwen out of the running, China’s Qian Tianyi continues to take Linz by storm with another class performance against Japan’s Hina Hayata.
An interesting quarter-final affair between two unseeded qualifiers, Hayata recovered back-to-back games from a 0-2 deficit to level the match at 2-2. But, the Japanese teenager wasn’t able to capitalise on her momentum boost as Qian kept her cool, winning 4-2 overall (11-8, 17-15, 9-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-3).
“After leading 2-0, I was waiting for her mistakes a little too much and didn’t play as active as before. I started in the qualification and already reached the semi-finals, so everything is possible now! I will try to reach the finals.” Qian Tianyi
Zhu Yuling has her say on full distance thriller
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Speaking following her tight seven-game quarter-final encounter, Zhu Yuling feels she was a little unlucky in the early stages of her meeting with Gu Yuting:
“At the beginning I was little bit unlucky, but I tried to never give up. In the end it all came back and now I’m happy to be in the semi-finals.” Zhu Yuling
Down 1-3, top seed recovers to win 4-3 in quarter-final nail-bitter
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Zhu Yuling has just survived a grulling seven-game battle against fellow Chinese teammate Gu Yuting to secure her spot in the last four of the women’s singles draw.
Despite losing out in the opening game it was Gu who looked the brighter, more positive player and before long the qualifier found herself 1-3 to the good. Pressure was beginning to mount for Zhu but rather the top seed raised her game, taking more risks and gaining more reward as a consequence. Tied at three games apiece it was Zhu who managed to get over the finish line 4-3 (11-5, 5-11, 9-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7), bringing Gu’s fine run to a halt.
Hugo Calderano interview
Semi-final awaits ‘Thrill from Brazil’
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Hugo Calderano is through to the penultimate round of the men’s singles competition in Linz after emerging victorious over Koki Niwa across six games (7-11, 11-9, 11-1, 14-12, 9-11, 11-8). The ‘Thrill from Brazil’ experienced somewhat of a scare in game six as his Japanese counterpart successfully saved four match point opportunities only for Calderano to eventually get the job done at the fifth attempt.
“It was a match with lots of ups and downs. We both had our moments. I want to thank all the supporters, it’s an amazing crowd! Tomorrow I will face a very tough opponent, I will try my best to overcome him. I’m looking forward to it.” Hugo Calderano
Next up for the no.4 seed from Brazil is the surprise package of the tournament in China’s Zhao Zihao on Sunday.
Timo prevails over Dima in battle of ‘frenemies’
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
The first piece of action following the short break in play saw two of Germany’s finest in Timo Boll and Dimitrij Ovtcharov meet for a place in the last four of the men’s singles event.
In a tight contest which saw all five games decided by no more than a three point margin, it was game four that proved pivotal: with Ovtcharov reducing the games deficit to one, success in game four would not only have tied up the scores but would also have seen momentum shift in the 31-year-old’s favour. However, it was Boll who took the game to dampen his compatriot’s comeback hopes before going on to claim game six and his spot in the semi-finals (11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 12-10, 11-8).
Champions react
Here’s what Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata had to say following their mixed doubles title success:
“We are very happy to finally take the top spot in this event, after being the runner-up last time. So it is very special for us.” Tomokazu Harimoto
“In my opinion the title this year feels slightly sweeter than my women’s double title with Mima Ito last year.” Hina Hayata
Harimoto/Hayata win gold in style!
Mixed Doubles: Finals
Tomokazu Harimoto and partner Hina Hayata have successfully claimed gold here in Linz, as they beat the Chinese duo Zhu Yuling and Lin Gaoyuan 3-1 (11-5, 4-11, 11-5, 11-6) in a frantically fast final.
With the match lasting 30 minutes, the Japanese combo of youth and experience were hugely impressive with their tandem around the table. Zhu and Lin were unable to stamp any sort of an authority over the proceedings singularly due to the fast pace, which suited their Japanese opponents much better on the serve. This concludes an ecstatic series of events for Harimoto/Hayata and they were deserved winners on the day.
Japanese duo storm to lead the final
Mixed Doubles: Finals
It’s the first final of the day, and Japanese duo Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata have taken a lead against the China pair of Zhu Yuling and Lin Gaoyuan, winning the first game 11-5.
The youthful pair have displayed speedy shot-work from the start and seem to have fazed their senior Chinese opponents. Will they be able to hit back?
Mima marauds into the final four
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Japan’s Mima Ito simply blew her opponent away in her quarter-final match against Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, winning 4-1 (3-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8).
“After losing the first game, I could adapt my tactics and I was able to control the match. I really love to come back to Austria. People here are always so warm-hearted and cheering for me.” Mima Ito
Despite losing the first game, Ito did not lose heart and showed impeccable speed in her shots which seem to have befuddled Cheng into making unforced errors on the return. In about 38 minutes, Ito secured her semi-final spot and will now await her next opponent with confidence.
Wang secures semi-final spot
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
It was a Chinese domestic here in Linz as Wang Yidi beat He Zhuojia in a clinical performance which saw her move on to the semi-finals of the Austrian Open.
“At the beginning I was a little bit too stressed, as the match continued I managed to calm down so I could focus on my tactics. Now I’ m quite happy with the result and that I could win against her.” Wang Yidi
Wang had little resistance at the hands of her compatriot, as she was able to win 4-1 (11-6, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-6) in match lasting less than 44 minutes. Having previously won against the no.4 seed Kasumi Ishikawa, Wang has clearly stolen the show in the women’s competition and will have her sights set on making the podium.
Fan endorses his #1 status in big win
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Yu has had a shining 2019 where he’s pulled focus from many of his elder compatriots in the sport. And it seemed like he was in the same mood when he came up against the world no.1 Fan Zhendong.
“I had a really good start in this match. After he changed tactics and he became more aggressive, I struggled a little bit and so the match became closer. As I lost in semifinals in the previous year, I try my best to succeed this year at the Austrian Open.” Fan Zhendong
However, the Chinese superstar – who himself is just 22 years old – was in imperious form against his young opponent, taking the first three games with ease. But then Lin made things very interesting when he won the fourth and fifth games. And yet, it was the manner with which the senior athlete displayed calm in the match to secure a 4-2 (11-4, 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8) win that underlines his world-class status, and takes him to the semi-final.
Zhendong faces Lin in a real battle
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
World No.1 Fan Zhendong has a real battle on his hands right now as Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju is looking to turn the tables on the Chinese veteran.
Having taken a 3-0 lead, Fan was staring at a routine win when Lin sent shockwaves in the crowd by winning two games back-to-back. The scoreline reads 3-2 (11-4, 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11) in the favor of the Chinese, but can the teenager swing a major upset here in Linz?
Wong and Zhao play out a thriller
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Before we have the finals today, the men’s and women’s singles are in action and starting the day off with a bang are two Asian athletes. Hong Kong China’s Wong Chun Ting – the conqueror of Liang Jingkun in the last round – could not continue his great run of form as he lost out to China’s Zhao Zihao 4-3 (7-11, 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6).
“This victory means a lot to me. I’m very satisfied with my performance. It was a great fight with a lot of up and downs. Nevertheless I never stopped believing in myself and now I’m happy to reach my first semifinal on platinum level.” Zhao Zihao
Wong and Zhao had a clear mission in their minds to reach the World Tour Grand Finals and this win will give Zhao further belief – and points on the board – that could make the mission successful. For Wong, this loss comes at a critical time as his involvement in the Grand Finals is suddenly dependent on other athletes performances. Stay tuned for further updates!
