Another gold for teenage ace
It’s women’s singles title no.8 on the ITTF World Tour for Mima Ito at just 19 years old!
Mima Ito pulls off title escape
Women’s Singles: Final
Mima Ito has done it! The Japanese star has secured women’s singles glory in the closing match of the 2020 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open following a dramatic 4-3 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching (11-7, 1-11, 11-6, 7-11, 2-11, 11-9, 11-7).
2-7 down, Ito keeps believing and comes away with nine of the next 11 points to steal game six through sheer determination, forcing a decider. On the back foot again in game seven, Ito recovers from a 4-6 deficit before going on to reach the finish line in front of her opponent.
“We have played each other lots of times in the past. We know each other’s game really well. It wasn’t easy to play her today in game six. It was very important when I changed the direction of play which made her confused and gave me the chance to come back into this match as the two games before that I just gave to her too easily. For the final game, I played my game stronger and I found my rhythm. I am very happy with my trophy here in Budapest.” Mima Ito
Time Out calls works a dream
Women’s Singles: Final
The pattern repeats once again as Mima Ito regains the lead (11-6) only to see it cancelled out by Cheng in game four: trailing 4-6 Cheng calls a ‘Time Out’ and it works a dream, winning four consecutive points before going on to claim the game (11-7). Sitting at 2-2 after four games – this is proving to be a most unpredictable contest!
Cheng sends a message
Women’s Singles: Final
Cheng I-Ching continues to produce some of her finest table tennis here in Budapest, recovering from a close first game defeat to level the scores at one game apiece with a breathtaking display in games two (7-11, 11-1). Cheng’s service game is looking on point and so far Ito hasn’t found a solution.
Harimoto gets his revenge
Men’s Singles: Final
And it’s Tomokazu Harimoto who has been crowned men’s singles champion in Budapest! Down 2-5 in game five Harimoto pulls the scores back to 5-5, leading Yukiya Uda to call for a ‘Time Out’ but the 18-year-old can’t hold out any longer as Harimoto roars to victory (7-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9).
“I was looking forward to this final to take my revenge after this year’s All Japan Championship. He has a very fast attacking style and in the first game, he controlled it all the way… After winning the second game I was in control of the match and my confidence grew point by point and I started to play on a higher level. I am very happy about the title and the fact I was able to play my game at a high level in Budapest.” Tomokazu Harimoto
The result sees Harimoto get revenge over Uda following their meeting at the Japanese National Championships.
Incredible turn of form
Men’s Singles: Final
Well, well, well. Off to a slow start but Harimoto has completely turned the match on its head winning three games on the bounce (11-8, 11-2, 11-6) to move to within a game from the title. Harimoto seems to have found his rhythm and has been more consistent in his shot selection since his opening game defeat while Uda is struggling to find an answer.
Uda sets the tempo
Men’s Singles: Final
Yukiya Uda has made a fantastic start to the men’s singles final here in Budapest, getting up to speed the faster of the two finalists (11-7) – not the start Tomokazu Harimoto was hoping for but can he respond?
Second seed exits as Cheng stays in contention
Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
And it’s Cheng I-Ching who goes on to face Mima Ito in the women’s singles final after completing a full distance win over second seed Kasumi Ishikawa (9-11, 11-4, 11-9, 10-12, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7).
“Being calm and playing my topspins positively was very important because my power and spin helped me to get to the final. In the last game even though I did not have the start I wanted I handled the pressure well and could win three points to turn the game around… Mima Ito is a strong player, I need to be strong in every aspect of my game.” Cheng I-Ching
So it’s not to be for birthday girls Ishikawa who must settle for a bronze medal finish in Budapest.
Cheng finds her mojo
Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Cheng has clearly put her game one disappointment behind her, going on to win three out of the next four games (11-4, 11-9, 10-12, 11-7) to establish a 3-2 lead. Interestingly Cheng has had her service called by the umpire on three occasions, the Chinese Taipei player is clearly playing on the edge here but is just one game away from the final!
Dramatic comeback puts Ishikawa ahead
Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Trailing 2-8 in game one, the signs weren’t looking promising for second seed Kasumi Ishikawa – however, an incredible recovery saw the Japanese player fight her way back to victory (11-9). Cheng I-Ching will be disappointed not to take advantage of her lead but she has to leave it in the past and move on.
No way back for German defender
Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
It’s a much better showing from Han in game three who appears to find the right balance in her play but ultimately it’s not enough as Ito ups the pace, taking the next two games to secure a 4-1 victory (11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4).
“I was focusing on my own game to play better and better. It was very important to remain calm like yesterday against my teammate Sato. They are both defenders and must keep good focus on each ball to be able to read it and pick the right shots and place them well.” Mima Ito
Who will face Mima Ito in the final? We’re about to find out as Kasumi Ishikawa and Cheng I-Ching meet in the other semi-final.
Early plaudits go to Ito
Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Han Ying has approached this one exactly as anticipated with the German favouring consistency over aggression but so far her opponent Mima Ito has dealt with the style well, claiming the opening two games (11-7, 11-9) to turn up the heat.
All-Japanese final on the cards
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Trailing 5-2 in game six, Pitchford opts for a ‘Time Out’ which he follows up by winning four of the next five points but in the end the Englishman can’t quite keep pace with his Japanese counterpart as Uda secures the win (11-13, 11-8, 11-5, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7).
“I’ve seen Liam playing a few times against Harimoto and beating him. He’s a very strong player. His backhand down the line is very strong, he switches directions with it very well and when I pushed him away from the table I still had to stay focused because the balls he hits from distance have great power. In addition to the power he was changing the direction of play at the last second, that was difficult to read. I had to get in first and dominate to keep him under constant pressure otherwise I lost the points.” Yukiya Uda
The result means that Tomokazu Harimoto and Yukiya Uda will meet in a repeat of the Japanese National Championships final which the latter player won – will we see the same outcome in Budapest?
Pitchford signals intent, Uda responds
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Just like the previous semi-final, Yukiya Uda’s encounter with Liam Pitchford has got off to a tantilising start here in Budapest.
Both players out of the gates quickly Pitchford’s experience shines through in the opening game as he holds his nerve to edge in front (13-11), but it doesn’t take Uda long to respond and what a response it was with the young Japanese star claiming back-to-back games (11-8, 11-5).
Commanding victory goes Harimoto’s way
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
And that’s it! Harimoto is the first name through to the men’s singles gold medal match after successfully completing a commanding 4-0 victory over Ovtcharov (11-9, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8).
“I was preparing myself for a bigger battle today as we always play big matches against each other. The second game was the deciding one today. I was 8-2 down and won 9 points in a row. I think that broke his confidence and then I felt I was going to win today. I could see from his body language he is there playing but his fight was not the same as it was at the start.” Tomokazu Harimoto
Providing the opposition in the final will be one of Japan’s Yukiya Uda or England’s Liam Pitchford who meet in the second semi-final coming shortly.
Dima fails to capitalise
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Holding an 8-2 lead in game two, Dimitrij Ovtcharov needs just three points to level the match but doesn’t convert as Harimoto recovers nine of the next 10 points (11-9) to extend his lead to 2-0. Another strong display in game three (11-4) sees the Japanese teenager edge ever closer to the men’s singles final.
Harimoto moves into early lead
Men’s Singles: Semi-Finals
Only one game has been contested so far but Tomokazu Harimoto is celebrating as though he has just won the match as he take an important one-game lead (11-9). Both players close to the table and aiming to finish the rallies early, an exciting start to the day’s opening fixture.
Final day schedule
The final day of play has arrived – who will leave Budapest with the singles honours?
