Worthy Champions
Mixed Doubles: Final
Back in the lead, back atop the podium!
Mixed Doubles: Final
Jun Mizutani with Mima Ito have found their form and re-taken the lead here in the final, and tehn gone on to secure the gold in a 3-1 (11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 15-13) win over Wang Chuqin with Sun Yingsha.
After the comeback from Wang and Sun, it was very well managed by the Japanese veteran partnership – making sure there was no slip-ups along the way, after the Chinese duo pushed them all the way to a 28 point final game. It came down to a strong offensive show today for Mizutani and Ito, who claim their gold with a big smile.
All square
Mixed Doubles: Final
As expected, Wang Chuqin with Sun Yingsha have hit back with an 11-7 win in the second game… Any guesses if this is going to a decider?
Lead for the Japanese duo in the final
Mixed Doubles: Final
Jun Mizutani with Mima Ito are in the lead against their Chinese opposition in the mixed doubles’ final, as they won the first game 11-8.
The young duo of Sun Yingsha with Wang Chuqin will be looking to hit back immediately against their experienced challengers. What do they have up their sleeves?
Meet your champions!
Men’s Doubles: Final
It’s gold for Ma/Xu
Men’s Doubles: Final
Despite the best efforts of Liam Pitchford with Paul Drinkhall, it was not to be for the Englishmen, as Ma Long with Xu Xin secured the gold medal in some style here in Doha.
The final score read 3-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-1, 11-6) after 29 minutes of engaging play where the Chinese pairing was just too good on the counter. Pitchford and Drinkhall can be proud of their silver, if not thrilled to have only reached ever so close to the gold.
Ma/Xu take the lead in the final
Men’s Doubles: Final
It’s time for the second final of the day, as Ma Long with Xu Xin take the lead against Liam Pitchford with Paul Drinkhall in the men’s doubles’ final.
Winning 11-8, the Chinese pair took good measure to defend against the long rally strategy that the Englishmen are currently implying. Is there any way back for them?
No decider needed, Chen reaches final
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
The world no.1 has displayed her class in management of a tough battle, as she emerged victorious against defending champion Wang Manyu.
Winning 4-2 (10-12, 11-7, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5, 11-4) Chen Meng simply adjusted her backhand strategy after the fourth game to give herself the upper hand, and a place in the final tomorrow.
Chen takes control, Wang hits back
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
Now that’s more like the battle we were advertised! Chen Meng won the third game against her Chinese compatriot Wang Manyu, but it seems the match has only just begun.
After losing the third game, Wang hit back and found her mojo to win the fourth game despite being 7-10 down at one point, and winning 13-11 to bring the score to 2-2. Are we heading for a decider?
Honours even in the second semifinal
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
Chen Meng and Wang Manyu are engaged in an all-Chinese duel for the right to play Mima Ito in the final tomorrow of the women’s singles here in Qatar.
Things have started evenly, with the defending champion Wang taking the first game 12-10 and the world no.1 hitting back with an 11-7 win.
Ito coasts to the final
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
Mama Mima! That was an incredible show of strength, talent and finesse from the world no.3! Winning in straight games is impressive, but getting there by winning 11-0 in third game against the Queen of Hearts is something else! Add to that, Ding Ning did not even lose a game in Qatar until this very match, and you see just how amazing Mima Ito’s victory really is.
Ito’s 4-0 (11-6, 14-12, 11-0, 11-5) win over Ding will certainly take some glossing over today as the Japanese moves onto the final of the women’s singles. Is the gold set to be hers?
Ito in a double lead
Women’s Singles: Semi-finals
Mima Ito and Ding Ning have both opened with a sense to warm the crowd up here in Doha, but only one of the athletes from Japan and China seem to be on fire – metaphorically.
Ito drew first blood with an 11-6 win in 8 minutes, displaying her usual superfast style of play. In the second game however, she was pushed to the limit by Ding, who still could not stop the youngster from winning 14-12 to double her lead.
Wang Manyu and Zhu Yuling strike gold
Women’s Doubles: Final
The first title of the day has gone to China with Wang Manyu and Zhu Yuling emerging women’s doubles champions in Doha.
Meeting top seeds Miyuu Kihara and Miyu Nagasaki at the final hurdle, second seeded Wang and Zhu showed great composure from start to finish to see off the Japanese teenagers across four games (11-4, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9).
First final of the day
Next up we have silverware on the line as Japan’s Miyuu Kihara and Miyu Nagasaki take on China’s Wang Manyu and Zhu Yuling for the women’s doubles title.
Penultimate round spot secured
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
And he’s done it! Liam Pitchford is through to the last four of the men’s singles draw, successfully making it over the finish line in his encounter with Chuang Chih-Yuan (14-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7).
Impressive work from Pitch who’s next involvement in the singles race comes on Sunday 8th March as he and World no.1 Xu Xin face off for a place in the gold medal match.
Pitch off to strong start
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
England’s Liam Pitchford is just two games away from a spot in the semi-finals here in Doha after making a positive opening to his quarter-final meeting with Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan. Narrowly moving ahead with his 14-12 win in game one, Pitch backed it up with an 11-8 success in the following game – can the Englishman convert?
Wang Chuqin marches on
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Claiming arguably the standout win of day two with his stunning performance against 2019 men’s singles Ma Long, Wang Chuqin has now emerged victorious in another all-China affair.
Establishing an early lead, Wang was then challenged by Liang Jingkun who responded with back-to-back game wins to level the scores at 2-2. Despite the moment being with his higher seeded countryman it was Wang who came out on top 4-2 (11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7) to move on through to the last four.
Incredible Frenchman falls short
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
So close but ultimately it’s defeat for Simon Gauzy after losing out to World no.1 Xu Xin in a seventh game decider. A great all-round display from the Frenchman who wows spectators in game seven with a mixture of powerful winners and excellent defensive skills, however, the plaudits go to Xu, who eventually gets the job done (6-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7).
Xu Xin in trouble
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Second seed and a hot favourite for gold, but Xu Xin isn’t enjoying the cleanest of performances in his quarter-final meeting with French no.14 seed Simon Gauzy, who by the close of game three holds a two games to one lead (11-6, 6-11, 11-8) – could we be set for a huge upset here?
Brave Swede exits race
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
One of the standout success stories in this year’s men’s singles event in Doha, Jon Persson’s fine campaign was brought to a close in the opening fixture of the day.
Showing great spirit throughout Sweden’s Persson put in another highly commendable display but ultimately lost out as top seeded Chinese star Fan Zhendong came away with a 4-1 win (11-9, 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, 12-10).
