New heights for Qiu Dang!
Men’s Singles: Final
Qiu Dang has won his first ITTF Challenge Series men’s singles title after pulling through a full distance thriller against qualification hero Yevhen Pryshchepa (11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8).
“I’m really happy that I won the match, I was leading 3-1, 8-6 and I thought I would win, but then he played better and I got more nervous, but at the end it was an open game and I’m happy that I won. During the previous rounds I had match points against me, so winning this tournament, I’m really happy that mentally I could come back and win.” Qiu Dang
A sense of relief for the German with his opponent refusing to accept defeat throughout and credit goes to Ukraine’s Pryshchepa who gave it a right go here in Lisbon, outperforming expectations to make it all the way to the final.
Narrow margins
Men’s Singles: Final
There continues to be very little between the two men’s singles finalists with the scores now sitting at 3-2 in Qiu’s favour (11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5, 9-11). Pryshchepa continues to keep the faith but can he turn this one around?
Immediate response
Men’s Singles: Final
On the receiving end of a game-winning net cord but Yevhen Pryshchepa isn’t disheartened and makes an immediate response against Qiu Dang to going behind to bring the scores level once again (7-11, 11-5). It’s been quite an open start to the match with both players enjoying good moments, but who will hold the upper hand?
And we have our women’s singles champion!
Women’s Singles: Final
Well that didn’t take long! Kasumi Ishikawa has been crowned women’s singles champion in Lisbon following a resounding 4-0 victory over Saki Shibata (11-6, 11-3, 12-10, 11-9).
“Finally I won, with a lot of patience, because the first matches I had to hold up and have a lot of patience, but I’m happy that the win came to me. I just thought that I had to win, I had to do this. This tournament helps me prepare for the Olympics, so it was really important. As it is Hungary next week, I am glad that I managed to win here in Portugal.” Kasumi Ishikawa
So it’s back-to-back ITTF Challenge Series singles titles for Ishikawa, having prevailed at the 2019 ITTF Challenge Plus Benemax-Virgo North American Open in December.
Ishikawa looking imperious
Women’s Singles: Final
Top seed Kasumi Ishikawa has made a blistering start to the women’s singles final here in Lisbon, storming into a 2-0 lead (11-6, 11-3) in just over 11 minutes.
Both players have approached this one looking to dictates the rallies – so far Saki Shibata has struggled to keep up with her fellow compatriot, will that changes as the match progresses?
Portuguese pair achieve men’s doubles success
Men’s Doubles: Final
Seeded seventh for the men’s doubles event, the host nation’s very own Diogo Carvalho and Joao Geraldo secured gold for Portugal after emerging victorious against Korean qualifiers Baek Kwangil and Park Chan-Hyeok across four games (12-10, 11-4, 6-11, 11-5).
There will now be a short break in play before the action resumes at 5.00pm for the women’s singles final.
Odo and Shibata take women’s doubles crown
Women’s Doubles: Final
The first final of the day has presented Japan with another trophy in Lisbon after Satsuki Odo and Saki Shibata successfully came out on top against Thailand’s Orawan Paranang and Suthasini Sawettabut in the women’s doubles final.
Seeded one position above their opponents, third seeds Odo and Shibata needed just 17 minutes and 20 seconds to secure the 3-0 win (11-5, 11-4, 11-8).
Who will come out on top?
Pryshchepa wins!
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
The fairytale was not to happen today, as the home favorite Joao Geraldo lost to Yevhen Pryshchepa 4-3 (7-11, 12-10, 11-2, 5-11, 14-12, 6-11, 11-5) in a 56-minute epic at the Casal Vistoso.
In the end, the strong efforts from the Portuguese were in vain as the Ukrainian Pryshchepa was too good in the final game and did not allow the fan fare to turn his focus – sending him to a well-deserved final against Germany’s Qiu Dang.
Another decider!
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
Seems like this one will go down the wire too! Joao Geraldo has pulled the match back from the claws of defeat as he is now level 3-3 against Yevhen Pryshchepa after an engaging six games.
With the wind in his sails as he won the last game, will the Portuguese make the final?
Home fans sweat on Joao
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
Hosts’ Portugal have their hearts in their mouths right now as Ukraine’s Yevhen Pryshchepa leads Joao Gerlado by 2-1 (7-11, 12-10, 11-2) in the second semi-final for the men’s singles.
Despite winning the first game, it seems like Geraldo will need to comeback from behind if he is to make the final on home soil. Or will it be too much of a stretch?
And Shibata is in the final!
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
In a superb display of shotmaking, Saki Shibata has made the final of the ITTF Challenge Plus event here in Lisbon, seeing off the challenge of Cheng Hsien-Tzu.
Winning 4-1 (11-8, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5, 14-12) Shibata never looked off pace and is set to play her compatriot Kasumi Ishikawa in the final.
Shibata in control
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
It’s time for the second semi-final and Japan’s Saki Shibata has every mood to make it a domestic final later today against Kasumi Ishikawa.
Standing in her way is Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Hsien-Tzu, who will need to pull herself together as she currently down by 0-2 (8-11, 7-11) if she means to stop Shibata.
Dang for the win!
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
It’s a big win for the German Qiu Dang as he beat Denmark’s Anders Lind 4-3 (8-11, 11-5, 4-11, 13-15, 11-2, 11-6, 12-10).
In a match lasting 53 minutes Dang was equal to everything Lind threw at him, and made sure to use his backhands to the best timing possible. Reaching the final now, can Dang win an elusive gold medal?
Decider it is
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
As expected, these two fine athletes are taking us to a seven-game thriller. After Anders Lind won two on the bounce, Qiu Dang followed up with the same and now the score reads 3-3.
Who will reach the finals?
Lind and Dang up for a battle
Men’s Singles: Semi-finals
Anders Lind and Qiu Dang are in on a see-saw battle at the moment, with the Dane and German exchanging the first three games.
Lind leads by 2-1 (11-8, 5-11, 11-4) but Dang hardly looks out of the match just yet. Who will claim the first major strike?
Comeback for Ishikawa!
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
The super-comeback is complete and Kasumi Ishikawa has booked herself a spot in the finals of women’s singles!
After being 0-2 down against Miyu Kato, Ishikawa has managed to win the match 4-2 (5-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6, 11-8) and prove her top seeding true for all to see.
Ishikawa levels it up!
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
Well, well, well… we certainly have a match on our hands here! Kasumi Ishikawa has brought the scores level to 2-2!
Winning two games back to back against Miyu Kato (11-7, 11-6), Ishikawa now has the momentum and looks ever more likely to clinch this match.
Kato leads Ishikawa
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
It’s an all-Japanese semi-final here at the Casal Vistoso in Lisbon, as Miyu Kato faces off against Kasumi Ishikawa.
Kato has currently taken a 2-0 (11-5, 11-3) lead over Ishikawa and looks very much in control. Can she see this off in four?
