Indians hit back, but it is in vain
Men’s Doubles: Final
Sharath Kamal Achanta with Sathiyan Gnanasekaran won the third game of the final 11-8, but it was to be in vain as the German duo of Patrick Franziska with Benedikt Duda clinched the gold in the fourth game, winning 3-1 (11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9).
In about half an hour, Franziska/Duda secured the top spot on the podium with a classy display and calmness under pressure. Their Asian opponents were hard at work to make it an even battle, but the wrap on proceedings today was tied by the European winners.
Duda/Franziska lead Indian pair
Men’s Doubles: Final
Patrick Franziska with Benedikt Duda are in the lead against their Indian opposition, after winning the first two games 11-5, 11-9.
Sharath Kamal Achanta with Sathiyan Gnanasekaran will need to pull themselves together if are to get anything out of this game – but will the German duo let them?
Japanese duo win gold in style
Women’s Doubles: Final
It’s a wrap here at the final for the women’s doubles’ event, as Miu Hirano with Kasumi Ishikawa secured the gold medal after winning in straight games against Hong Kong China’s Doo Hoi Kem with Lee Ho Ching (11-6, 11-9, 12-10).
In 23 minutes, Hirano with Ishikawa showcased an array of shots around the table that had their opponents bamboozled. It was a worthy win for the Japanese, and their opponents just were not able to deal with that intensity today.
Hirano/Ishikawa take the lead in the final
Women’s Doubles: Final
Japan’s star duo have taken the lead in the women’s doubles’ final against Hong Kong China’s Doo Hoi Kem with Lee Ho Ching.
Miu Hirano with Kasumi Ishikawa won the first game 11-6, attacking their opponent’s serve really well. Is there a way back for Doo and Lee?
Ovtcharov secures final four spot
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
The former world no.1 Dimitrij Ovtcharov has reached the semi-finals of the ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open after seeing off the challenge of Pavel Sirucek, in a commanding 4-2 (9-11, 11-3, 11-6, 13-11, 9-11, 11-8) win over the Czech Republic athlete.
“Pavel played really well today and he made me work hard for this victory. After yesterday’s match that took me to full distance I could recover and be ready for today’s battle. After all, I have the experience of 15 years attending world tours . I gave my best shot and always will in every match I play. Regarding the semi final tomorrow I believe If I play to my full potential then I’ll stand a good chance to reach the final , of course he will have this say on this too.” Dimitrij Ovtcharov
Despite starting out with much of the same style of play, it was Ovtcharov who once he had the upper hand in the match, never quite let go. His next opponent is Tomokazu Harimoto from Japan, and that is set to be a real feisty battle tomorrow.
Dima and Pavel start as equals
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Dimitrij Ovtcharov and Pavel Sirucek have started the proceedings of the last quarter-final with equal strength, as the German and Czech Republican shared the opening games.
Sirucek started stronger with an 11-9 win and then Ovtcharov secured the second 11-3. It’s anyone’s guess as to where this match is headed at the moment.
Swift win for Liam
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
In a first for the day, the third quarter-final of the men’s singles lasted under minutes as Liam Pitchford managed to win in straight games against Kristian Karlsson (11-9, 13-11, 11-4, 11-8).
“It was not as easy as it looked we played a few times each other so far have not lost any of our duel hopefully it stays like this for the future. The first two games was the key today as both won on two point difference. I think he lost his rhythm completely. I will be ready for tomorrow, I am enjoying playing here in Budapest.” Liam Pitchford
The dominance of Pitchford speaks volumes given how difficult Karlsson usually is to play against, and Yukiya Uda – Pitchford’s next opponent – will be wise to bear that in mind later in the semi-final tomorrow.
Pitchford pitches forward
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Winning the first two games is never a bad idea, and England’s Liam Pitchford has nodded himself ahead of his Swedish opponent in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles event.
Leading 2-0 (11-9, 13-11), Pitchford already has a measure of control over the tie, with Kristian Karlsson lagging behind. Can the Swede turn this match around?
Uda breaks Gardos’ defence
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
It turns out all Yukiya Uda needed was one break and he latched on to it perfectly. Winning three games in a row, the Japanese eliminated Robert Gardos in brilliant fashion.
“Robert is a very experienced and hard opponent to play against. He was very spinny and really hard to control. I was focusing on each ball and as soon as I could feel his shot has less spin or a bit slower I had to take my chances regardless. If it is me I was not going to call the time out but it was very good my coach did it in game four so I could level the match. I am lucky to be able to have this experience for me to play against players like Robert Gardos and learn from them.” Yukiya Uda
Winning the match 4-2 (11-6, 7-11, 16-18, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7) Uda was able to use the long rallies to his advantage, and secured a spot in the final four as his veteran opponent bowed out.
Deadlock continues
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
And the deadlock between the two athletes continues, as Yukiya Uda and Robert Gardos are now two games apiece.
After Gardos won the third game 18-16, Uda replied with an 11-7 win in the fourth. Is this headed to a seven-game match?
Uda and Gardos open evenly
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Onto the next quarter-final then, with Japan’s Yukiya Uda taking on Austria’s Robert Gardos in a closely contested battle here in Budapest.
Both athletes have registered an opening game victory (11-6, 7-11) and it remains to see who gets the advantage sooner.
Harimoto gains control, and reaches semis
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
The Japanese youngster has been in complete control of this tie, and now has beaten Benedikt Duda by 4-2 (12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10, 9-11, 11-4), in under 48 minutes.
“I want to play well in Budapest now because at the world championship I could not play to my best potential . I was really focused on playing point to point and kept focused on each shot that I had to play one by one . I kept him under pressure with my aggressive backhand that he could not control as well. I built on this and to dominate the points. We had many close games I am glad I could win most of it today.” Tomokazu Harimoto
Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto found his form at the right time to deal with the challenge of the German, allowing him to better handle his recovery shots on the counter and reach the semi-finals in style.
Duda and Harimoto measuring up
Men’s Singles: Quarter-finals
The competition is fierce here at the Budapest Olympic Hall, as Benedikt Duda is level with Tomokazu Harimoto in the first quarter-final for the men’s singles.
Winning the first game 12-10, the Japanese Harimoto is consistently being tested by the German Duda, who won the second game 11-9. Who will blink first?
Wong/Doo win!
Mixed Doubles: Final
What a remarkable game that was! Hong Kong China’s Doo Hoi Kem with Wong Chun Ting came from behind in the final game to win the gold medal here in Budapest (11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9)!
“We were very determined to win this final and we were preparing for it since in the morning. It started off well after the first game then it was a bit shaky in the second. I think it was very important to win the third game to hold onto the lead and in particular game, we were up 0- 4 and 4 -7 then it becomes tight. I remember it was 8 – 6 when Petrissa played an amazing counter topspin and we decided to stop to calm down a bit and reset. It proved to be the right decision as we won the game and lost the next one so technically we could have lost 3-1. In the last end, we just played point to point not thinking about the outcome and fighting hard and it paid off. We are every happy with our gold medal here in Budapest as it was well learnt.” Doo Hoi Kem with Wong Chun Ting
At one point, the German duo of Patrick Franziska with Petrissa Solja were ahead at 8-5 and set to clinch the game. However, Doo and Wong swung things around to win 4 consecutive points and find the final push for the top spot!
Decider it is!
Mixed Doubles: Final
As predicted earlier, these two pairings are inseparable! With the score now reading 2-2 (11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 7-11), Wong Chung Ting with Doo Hoi Kem are going to play for the gold against Patrick Franziska with Petrissa Solja in one final game!
Who gets the top spot on the podium?
Even exchanges kick off final
Mixed Doubles: Final
The mixed doubles final between Wong Chun Ting with Doo Hoi Kem and Patrick Franziska with Petrissa Solja has kicked off with both duos collecting a game each in the first 12 minutes of the match (11-6, 6-11).
Doo and Wong are looking to their 2019 experience and will want to channel that form against their German opposition but this has all the makings of going to a decider.
Ishikawa coasts to final four
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
It was a very good start to the afternoon for Japan, as Kasumi Ishikawa followed Mima Ito into the semi-finals of the ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open, winning 4-0 (11-3, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7).
“I’ve prepared from her game as I saw she is on the good form in the past few days. She is playing a little bit away from the table. The plan was for me to stay close and play quick spiny balls and move her around and not giving him time to respond. She had some good answers only in the last game which was a bit closer but I am glad I handled the pressure well.” Kasumi Ishikawa
Facing off against Nina Mittelham, Ishikawa had a strong hand over the match throughout and the German could not handle the pace with which her opponent moved around the table.
Japanese domestic goes Ito’s way
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Mima Ito had to step up her game as her compatriot Hitomi Sato pushed her far in the last quarter-final for the women’s singles here in Budapest.
“After the first two games, I settled down into my rhythm and could play the balls as I planned it at the start. Started to play deeper to the end of the table so the short shots were more effective, I’ve made her move more in and out of the table, Wining the third game was very important as thereafter I saw my opponent getting a bit frustrated with herself and I was getting more confident and played better and better.” Mima Ito
At 0-2, Sato looked to be the one to push on but Ito had other plans. With a barrage of fast forehands, the world no.3 got herself the control of the match by winning four games back to back to record a worthy 4-2 (9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-1, 11-2) win.
Ying completes a mammoth comeback!
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Well, well, well…! The story of the day has already been written it seems, by Han Ying ! The German national has defeated Miu Hirano in a stunning seven-game epic.
“I have not played her for many years and now she is a complete player I expected a very hard and long match, so it was. She likes playing quickly so I had to find a way to have more time between the points and slow the game down as much as I could. I had the tactics right from the start but during the match I found the better way too. Last game I changed the directions of play to her forehand side and it paid off. At the match point all I was focusing just to get one more ball on the table then her.” Han Ying
Having been 2-3 down, Han managed to rally herself here in Budapest and find the chinks in the armor of Hirano – allowing her to overturn the match into hyperdrive and win 4-3 (4-11, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9)!
Han and Hirano engaged in battle
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
The German athlete Han Ying has started the day with a bang as she is level against the Japanese superstar, Miu Hirano. Despite losing the first game 4-11, Han came back to win the next two and now the score reads 2-2.
Do we have a decider on our hands?
Cheng reaches semis
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Cheng I-Ching had a morning session to remember as she coasted past her Asian opponent in straight games and 38 minutes (11–8, 12-10, 13-11, 11-4).
Playing against Hong Kong China’s Doo Hoi Kem, Cheng was efficient in her shot play and timing of the backhand. The Chinese Taipei athlete now awaits her opponent in the final for of the women’s singles event.
