RESULT: Han Ying 4-2 Cheng I-Ching (12-10, 3-11, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-6)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
The concluding winner of day two’s action is Han Ying who has seen off Cheng I-Ching with a defensive masterclass.
Down 7-10 in game five, Han took the following five points to claim a mini-comeback win, moving ever closer to victory. Cheng refuses to give up the fight but ultimately can’t find her way back into the match as Han sets up a semi-final meeting with World no.1 Chen Meng.
All still to play for
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Four games played and we are still none the wiser as to which player will progress from this one with Han and Cheng sitting level at two games apiece. Off the back of her opening game defeat, Cheng appears more composed and begins to ramp up the pressure with back-to-back game wins (11-3, 11-7). Never one to let her head drop, Han stays patient and emerges victor in game four (11-9).
Reasons for both players to be encouraged
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
It’s Germany’s Han Ying with the early lead against Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching after closing out the first game by a two-point margin (12-10). Trailing 1-5, Han recovers six of the following seven points to establish her presence in game one.
Cheng will also be somewhat pleased with her start, knowing she has the tools to outpower the German.
Chen reacts
“Even though I won 4-0, every single game was not easy for me. During the match there were a lot of ups and downs and I thought it was important that I was able to adjust during the match. Lily’s improvement has been huge. She made it all the way to the semi-finals last year. I had to prepare for her as well as all other opponents as they are all very good players.” Chen Meng
RESULT: Chen Meng 4-0 Lily Zhang (11-8, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
It’s the end of the road for Lily Zhang, who gave another solid performance here in Weihai but just didn’t have enough to best Chen Meng on this occasion. In what proved to be the final game of the match, Zhang mounts a comeback effort from 9-6 down but Chen doesn’t show any mercy, bringing the contest to a halt in straight games.
Fascinating start here
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Zhang is more than holding her own in the early stages on this one, forcing Chen to produce her best table tennis in what has been a tight contest. Chen has just about edged proceedings so far, but Zhang is putting up a brave fight. Two games played, 2-0 to Chen (11-8, 11-6).
No time to rest!
We now have the third quarter-final encounter to settle as China’s Chen Meng and United States’ Lily Zhang take to the arena.
Sun reacts
“I have played against Kasumi on many occasions before and we are quite familiar with each other’s playing style. However, I still had to prepare well for my match against her as she is a strong opponent.” Sun Yingsha
RESULT: Sun Yingsha 4-0 Kasumi Ishikawa (11-6, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Sun Yingsha has just booked her semi-finals ticket in style, sending a clear message of intent to the rest of the field with a 4-0 win over Kasumi Ishikawa.
The third game unfolding almost identically to the second, Ishikawa fared much better in the early stages of game four with the Japanese player moving 5-1 ahead. Recovering five points in a row, Sun never looked back and emerged the worthy winner.
Lightning pace
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
The two players haven’t been at the table long but two games have already been decided, both in Sun’s favour (11-6, 11-4). Pace is proving a crucial factor here with the young Chinese star very much on the front foot – can Ishikawa nullify her opponent’s pace advantage and bounce back in this one?
Sun Yingsha vs Kasumi Ishikawa
Next up we have another exciting contest with 2015 runner up Kasumi Ishikawa meeting young talent Sun Yingsha.
Ito reacts
“I just wanted to enjoy the match and try to face the pressure with no emotion or with a smile. After all I have put all the effort into my practise so I just want to enjoy the match. It doesn’t matter who I play tomorrow, I just need to play my game. I just hope to play a good game that everyone can enjoy. I’m really happy to just be part of this experience.” Mima Ito
RESULT: Mima Ito 4-1 Chen Szu-Yu (11-6, 11-6, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Mima Ito is through to the semi-finals here in Weihai after completing a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Chen Szu-Yu.
The odds clearly stacked against her, Chen sees a 5-1 lead in game four slip to 5-4 before calling a time out and the decision proves successful with the Chinese Taipei representative going on to put a game on the board. However, her momentum boost if short lived with Ito racing into a commanding 10-5 lead in game five – a service fault from Chen seals the deal as Ito moves through.
Troubling times for Chen
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
This one is quickly slipping away from Chen who now finds herself needing four games on the bounce to avoid defeat. Ito is causing the Chinese Taipei player problems with her incredible ability to open up the angle. Over the past two games Chen has saved four game points, but continues to fall short (11-6, 11-7).
We’ve also just seen a crazy rally in game three with Ito catching the back edge of the table from a defensive position – pretty much sums up Chen’s harsh luck in this one!
First game goes to Japanese star
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Ito is off to a promising start here, staying close to the table and making life difficult for her opponent. A five-point margin separates the two in game one (11-6), can Chen close the gap?
And we’re back
It’s time for the Dishang 2020 ITTF Women’s World Cup quarter-finals. First up it’s Japan’s Mima Ito taking on Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu.
Time for a breather
With all round of 16 matches now complete, a break in session will take place. The quarter-finals of the Dishang 2020 ITTF Women’s World Cup will be played from 18:30 local time. Here’s a look ahead to the fixture line-up:
Be sure to be back in time to catch the action live!
Heartbreak for Feng. Clinical Cheng.
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
The experience of Feng Tianwei was talking here at the Weihai Nanhai Olympic Sport Centre as the Singaporean brought the game so close to 3-3, before the young sensation from USA made sure there were no fairytales. After being three games down, Feng won two on the roll and looked set to win the third when when she won five points together in the sixth game, leading 10-6. But it was all Lily Zhang after that, who changed the direction of play and prevented two game points and secured a 4-2 (11-7, 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 13-11) win.
For the final round of 16 match between Cheng I-Ching and Wu Yue, the seeded Chinese Taipei athlete was in full flow, winning 4-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-8, 11-3) in a superb 25-minute display which left much more to be desired from the American group stage qualifier. For Cheng, it was a show of strength and that means she moves on to the quarter-finals yet again in this competition, meeting Germany’s Hang Ying later today.
Big win for Han!
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
The eye of the tiger is at it again! Germany’s Han Ying has managed to spin this match around against Sofia Polcanova and win 4-3 (11-7, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6) to successfully reach the quarter-finals! With a delightful run of shots in the seventh game, Han was clearly more clinical of the two in this one hour two minute epic!
Over at the other table, Lily Zhang has extended her lead to 3-1 (11-7, 11-8, 11-9, 8-11) and looks set to make the quarter-finals for a second year running. Can Feng Tianwei stop the young American and continue her charge to the podium once again?
Han levels it up, Lily starts with a bang
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Han Ying and Sofia Polcanova’s battle has raged on to reach a scintillating decider, as both Europeans are locked at 3-games a piece (11-7, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5). Who will win the seventh game to reach the quarters?
For Lily Zhang, playing her conqueror from last year’s edition in Feng Tianwei, winning the first two games seems to have restored her confidence (11-7, 11-8). The American looks to be very much riding the momentum here, and it remains to be seen what the Singaporean veteran is made up of.
Chen steamrolls on, Polcanova pushes back
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
That was a complete clean sweep by the Chinese top seed against Bernadette Szocs as Chen Meng recorded a relentless 4-0 (11-6, 11-1, 11-3, 11-7) win in just over 25 minutes. It was a statement of intent from Chen that she is here for one thing only : the gold medal.
Meanwhile, Han Ying’s pursuit of the podium maybe in danger as Sofia Polcanova has won the next two games between them (11-9, 11-5). Leading the match by 2-1, Polcanova looks to have this under her control – can Han make things interesting again?
Chen starts strong, Han stays in-form
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
The world no.1 is in action at Weihai and she’s in no mood to hang around. Facing Bernadette Szocs, Chen Meng has taken the first two games (11-6, 11-1) displaying her effervescent style of shot making. Will the Romanian respond?
Over at table 2, Germany’s Han Ying continues her hot-streak from the group stages with a brilliant opening 11-7 win over Austria’s Sofia Polcanova. Lots more to come from this game.
Sun makes sure there’s no comeback, Ishikawa follows suit
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Swift and easy from Sun Yingsha in the fifth game saw Adriana Diaz take her leave from the 2020 Women’s World Cup. Winning 4-1 (11-5, 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7) in 40 minutes, the Chinese was simply irresistible at the table.
Following suit, but having lost a game less, Kasumi Ishikawa defeated group stage qualifier Suh Hyowon in straight games (11-8, 11-7, 11-5, 11-4) in under 27 minutes! The Japanese superstar was clearly in the mood and Suh Hyowon just did not find any rhythm for her to work with.
Diaz recovers, Ishikawa in control
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Phew! That was an intense half an hour! Sun Yingsha and Adriana Diaz are playing at break-neck speed here, which seems to favour the Chinese, but the Puerto Rican ‘Athlete of the Decade’ found her feet to win one game (11-8) just in time and maintain a slim chance of coming back into this match – score remains 3-1 in favour of Sun.
Kasumi Ishikawa on the other hand, is not allowing any form of recovery from her group stage qualifier opponent – speeding to a 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-5) lead in around 22 minutes. Will Suh Hyowon find a chink the armour of the Japanese?
Sun on the prowl
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
The battle of the young women is at hand, and it feels like Sun Yingsha has no time to spare – racing to a 2-0 (11-5, 11-5) lead over Adriana Diaz in just under 13 minutes! The Chinese 20-year-old is playing like a veteran here, and Diaz will need something special to turn this around.
Across the room, Suh Hyowon and Kasumi Ishikawa have just begun their match as the pace of the day – like these athletes’ shots – picks up. Japan’s seeded Ishikawa has taken the first game 11-8, and it remains to be seen what the Korea Republican brings to the table next.
Chen completes comeback
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Well well well! What a start to the knockout stages here in Weihai we have! The group stage sensation from Chinese Taipei has recovered from being 1-3 down to the seeded Doo Hoi Kem, and only gone and turned it around completely!
Securing a 4-3 (8-11, 11-4, 3-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-7, 11-6) win in just under 58 minutes, Chen Szu-Yu showcased calmness, strength in her will and the desire to reach the quarter-finals by eliminating her opponent who had one foot in the door already. What a treat for the fans enjoying table tennis #RESTART!
Mima moves forward, Chen rattles the cage
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Japan’s Mima Ito has reached the quarter-finals of the Dishang 2020 ITTF Women’s World Cup in some style – seeing off Jeon Jihee in under 44 minutes, recording a magnificent 4-1 (6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 13-11, 11-7) win. The tables – and pace of the game – were turned by Ito in stunning fashion as she carved out openings to exploit against her Korea Republic opponent with ease from the second game onwards.
Meanwhile, Chen Szu-Yu has completed the comeback from 1-3 down to 3-3 against Doo Hoi Kem and we are headed for a deciding seventh game as early as the first round of matches on day two! Fasten your seatbelts!
Doo Ito like that!
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Jeon Jihee and Mima Ito were staying neck-and-neck as both continued the trend of ‘as you were’ before Ito decided to shake things up. Having taken the third game 11-7, Ito made some spectacular recover in the fourth as she fought back from 8-10 to win 13-11 in the longest game yet (13 minutes), now leading Jihee by 3-1.
Over at table 2, the Hong Kong China seed leads Chen Szu-Yu 3-2 (11-8, 4-11, 11-3, 12-10, 3-11), after a powerful run of shots to take some initiative in this battle. Her Chinese Taipei opponent has responded by taking one game back, will she take a second?
Opening stalemates
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Two big match-ups have started the day for us here in China as Jeon Jihee takes Mima Ito and Chen Szu-Yu faces Doo Hoi Kem over at table 2 of the Weihai Nanhai Olympic Sport Centre.
Quite amazingly, both matches have had a 1-1 opening two games – it’s almost as if all athletes are weighing their opponents before the real intensity is shown. Jihee won the first game 11-6 before Ito soared back with 11-7; similarly Doo took the initial game 11-8 before losing 4-11 to Chen in the next. Who’s ready for some tension in Weihai?
What’s coming your way?
All round of 16 and quarter-finals will be played on day two with the final four heading to the semi-finals and finals on day three. Here’s a look ahead to the day’s fixture line-up:
It’s time to #RESTART!
Good morning and welcome to day two of the Dishang 2020 ITTF Women’s World Cup and with it the start of the #RESTART series.
Today’s action see the eight group stage qualifiers meet eight seeded players in Weihai, as they contest the first two knockout stages of the event. You can read up on the draw here.
