Ma Long through to men’s singles final!
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Fresh from his first game win of the match Xu makes it back-to-back games to start asking the question of his compatriot, but it’s not enough as Ma takes his place in the men’s singles final for the first time since 2016 (11-7, 16-14, 11-7, 4-11, 4-11, 11-6).
“I am happy with my performance. The turning point was the second game. After taking the second game, it was very helpful for me to set up a 3-0 lead. Xu Xin maybe had some injury with his wrist, but I gave my best as well.” Ma Long
Dominance from ‘The Dragon’ but meets resistance
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Ma extends his lead to three games after clinching game three 11-7 but out of nowhere the World champion experiences a crushing defeat in game four (4-11) as Xu reduces the deficit to 3-1. Xu has a long way to go if he’s going to recover this one but you’d be brave to count him out!
Thrilling action so far
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Both players are laying all their cards out on the table here in Zhengzhou with Xu Xin and Ma Long exchanging unbelievable rally after rally much to the delight of the spectators at the Zhengzhou Olympic Sports Center.
There very little to separate the two Chinese legends in game one but it’s Ma Long ‘The Dragon’ who just about edges it (11-7). Xu Xin saves a combined total of five game points against him in game two but fails to capitalise on two in his favour as Ma narrowly captures another game (16-14) to move 2-0 to the good.
Xu Xin v Ma Long
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
What an epic finale we have for you on day three as top seed Xu Xin does battle with World and Olympic champion Ma Long. The two met twice on the 2019 ITTF World Tour, winning one apiece. Xu Xin was victorious in most recent meeting – who are you backing for the win this out?
And the winner is… Fan Zhendong!!!
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
And there we have it. Fan Zhendong has beaten Lin Gaoyuan after another colossal showing from the second seed in game six to clinch his spot in the final (11-7, 11-13, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-3). Having lost to Lin in their two previous head-to-heads, Fan will feel relieved to avoid a third consecutive defeat to his fellow compatriot.
Lin stays in the contest
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Another commanding display in game four (11-3) hands Fan a 3-1 lead and required just one more to reach the final, but Lin fights back producing some of his best table tennis to claim game five (11-9) and stay in the hunt.
Immediate response but behind again
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Lin puts in a much better showing in game two as his fluid attacking motion starts to emerge, edging the contest 13-11. However, it doesn’t take long for Fan to retake the lead, dominating the following game by an eight point margin (11-3) to once again heap pressure on his opponent. This is proving an exciting battle – if you’re not doing so already make sure to head over to tv.ittf.com to watch it unfold live.
Fan Zhendong strikes first
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
The crowd appears to be gravitating behind Fan Zhendong so far and it’s second seeded entry who has taken the early lead against third seed Lin Gaoyuan, negotiating the opening game by a four point margin (11-7).
Lin will need a big performance if he’s to come out on top and reach the men’s singles final in Zhengzhou.
Simply unstoppable, Wang Manyu advances
Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Wang Manyu shows no signs of weakness as she earns games three and four with little drama to defeat Wang Yidi in straight games (11-9, 11-3, 11-8, 11-3) and move through to the final for the first time!
So it’s revenge for Wang Manyu who suffered defeat to Wang Yidi in their recent meeting at the 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum German Open and will look to prevent Chen Meng from capturing a third consecutive World Tour Grand Finals title in Sunday’s final.
Wang Yidi on the back foot
Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
A player who very much likes to player on the front foot with her close to the table aggressive approach but so far Wang Yidi is proving little trouble for Wang Manyu, who leads 2-0 following a fine start to the match for the no.4 seed (11-9, 11-3).
Chen reacts
“In the first game, I led 9-1. Then Mima Ito tried really hard to attack, which disrupted my match rhythm. She came back very strong. I did not do well in the first stoke and rallies. I lost my focus a little bit and she he took her chance. I was fully prepared for this match. The whole team, including our President Liu Guoliang and coaches helped me a lot. No matter how difficult it is, I know I had to win this match.” Chen Meng
Another final awaits Chen Meng
Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
And Chen Meng secures the win by a 4-1 margin to reach yet another World Tour Grand Finals women’s singles final.
Chen took inspiration from her Japanese counterpart’s game one performance as she fought back from 2-7 down, then recovering from 10-11 to steal the game 12-10 showing plenty of resolve in the process. Another tight contest followed in game five as both players gave it their all: Ito responds from 8-5 down to go on and hold a game point opportunity but it’s Chen who makes it over the line to secure the victory (10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 13-11, 13-11).
Powerful response as Chen Meng fights back
Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Down 3-6 in game two but Chen Meng regains her composure to claim the game (11-8) and before long the defending champion finds herself ahead following an even greater performance in game three (11-5). All of a sudden it’s the Chinese star who holds the advantage – can Ito find her way back into this one?
What a start!
Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
What an incredible start we’ve just witnessed as Mima Ito fights back from behind to establish the early advantage over Chen Meng.
Trailing 1-9, Ito wins eight points in a row before going on to save game point to level the scores at 10-10. The Japanese teenager then capitalised on her momentum, winning back-to-back points to take the game 12-10.
And we’re back
Next up is women’s singles semi-final action and we’ve got a huge clash to bring you as defending champion Chen Meng meets Japanese teenager superstar Mima Ito.
Champions speech
Mixed Doubles: Final
“We didn’t find the match rhythm at the beginning, that is why we were 0-2 down. My partner Xu Xin was not well as he finished his match very late last night.” Liu Shiwen
“Japanese duo are very strong. They played really well today. We feel lucky to win this title. It gives us more confidence about Tokyo 2020… We need to keep making progress and try to widen our advantage.” Xu Xin
Xu Xin and Liu win the gold!
Mixed Doubles: Final
In a stunning comeback, China’s Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen have won the mixed doubles gold medal at 2019 World Tour Grand Finals (9-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9)!
Having been two games down to Japan’s Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito, this was a momentous effort by the Chinese pair who gave it their absolute best to turn the match around in 46 minutes of game time. The penhold grip of Xu came into decisive action from the third game onwards, after which there was no stopping him and Liu’s movement across the table. The Japanese athletes can take heart in the fact that they had totally stunned their opposition for the first two games – coming ever so close to the win.
…and level the final up!
Mixed Doubles: Final
Well now we have a proper battle! China’s Xu Xin with Liu Shiwen have brought the final to a decider as they came from 0-2 down to level the score up!
Winning the third and fourth games together in under 16 minutes, Xu and Liu will feel they have the momentum to beat out Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito. Or will the Japanese hit back?
Xu/Liu hit back!
Mixed Doubles: Final
In a must-win game to stay in the final, Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen have hit back to halve the lead of Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito (9-11, 6-11, 11-3).
Having taken an 8-0 lead in the third game, there really was no way Xu and Liu were about to let Mizutani and Ito comeback into this one. But will the Japanese pair return the favor when it comes to be about the match as a whole?
And the lead is double!
Mixed Doubles: Final
Well, well, well! The Japanese fans have roared in the house here today as Mima Ito and Jun Mizutani have doubled their lead over Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen.
Following the same pattern of strong services to win the second game 11-6, Ito and Mizutani are building momentum and fast – something Xu and Liu will need to address if they are to have anything to say in this final.
Mizutani/Ito lead in the final!
Mixed Doubles: Final
Welcome to the mixed doubles final – where Japan’s Mima Ito and Jun Mizutani have taken a lead against China’s Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen.
Winning the game 11-9, the service play by Ito and Mizutani have Xu and Liu backing off – will that prove to be a gold-winning tactic?
Hugo tries, but Fan moves through!
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Despite the best efforts by Hugo Calderano, Fan Zhendong has moved through to the semi-finals of the World Tour Grand Finals here in Zhengzhou. This win for Fan comes on the back of having lost out to Hugo last year at the same event – so it is bound to taste sweeter for the world no.2!
“I started the match really well. I had the chance to win the first game. Unfortunately I could not manage to take this chance. It was tough being down 0-1, 0-2. I tried to fight back but it was not enough. He is very strong today. I prepared this match as always. Every match is tough match. He is the best player in the world. I just focus on what I had to do and my tactics. It is a good year for me. I stay at top 10 the whole year. All in all, I have some good results. Unfortunately I could not win today, but it is a good year for me.” Hugo Calderano
The Brazilian took game four for his own, rallying for a comeback – which was then cut short by the exquisite shot making by Fan. Winning 4-1 (12-10, 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9), the Chinese is set to meet Lin Gaoyuan in the final 4 match later today.
One game away for Fan!
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
The semi-finals are edging closer for Fan Zhendong – who is in some supreme form right now. Blitzing through the third game at 11-7, Fan has kept Hugo Calderano at arm’s length all match long.
If the Brazilian goes deep, Fan attacks him back – it’s all headed for two all-Chinese semi-finals.
Fan begins with a double lead
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Battling for a place in the semi-finals against Lin Gaoyuan, China’s Fan Zhendong already has a two game lead over Hugo Calderano.
Fan was imperious as he won two games 12-10, 11-5, leaving no space for Hugo to exploit on the counter. Is there a way back for the Brazilian?
Ma Long reaches the semi-finals!
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
The Dragon has roared to victory by securing a 4-3 (9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8) win over Chinese teammate Liang Jingkun!
“Very very tough match. Liang Jingkun has made progress in recent years. I know it is not easy to play against him. I lost the first, third and fifth games. But, I had my chance in all these three sets. I quickly adjusted my condition in the second, fourth and sixth games. When the match went to the deciding game, I just told myself not to give up. I should stay positive. Xu Xin is in very good shape – I am the underdog. I will give it my best, just like what I did in this match.” Ma Long
It was a match full of topsy turvy shots as well as an engaging TTR (Table Tennis Review), lasting well over an hour and 21 minutes – which has now sent Ma to yet another semi-final at the World Tour Grand Finals.
The pendulum continues, decider looms
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
The one-game-each scenario is set to continue here between the two Chinese athletes as Ma Long has brought the score back to 3-3 (9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9).
Liang is pulling out all the stops to make this battle interesting and Ma seems to be equal to his ferocious forehands right now. Who wins the decider?
Ma to start a comeback?
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
The Dragon has begun his ascent against compatriot Liang Jingkun, hitting back with an 11-8 victory to level the scores.
Ma Long won 7 points on his oppositions’ serve – helping his stance to bring the battle to the table. However, Liang hit back immediately with an 11-7 win. Are we headed for a 7-game decider?
Chinese domestic to start the day
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
It’s a battle of the Chinese top stars as Liang Jingkun leads Ma Long (11-9) with a powerful forehand to do the deed at the end of the first game.
The world no.3 and 4th seed Ma will need to push back sooner rather than later – in case Jingkun runs away with it.
