RESULT: Jang Woojin 4-3 Lin Gaoyuan (11-7, 10-12, 1-11, 11-7, 12-10, 8-11, 11-6)
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Jang Woojin has guaranteed his second top four finish in successive weeks after beating Lin Gaoyuan to the final semi-final spot up for grabs.
Overcoming three game points against him to steal game five, Jang couldn’t quite finish the job straight away with Lin replying in game six to take the match down to the wire. Against the odds, the Korean rose to the occasion in the decider to emerge from the match victorious.
Close margins
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Off to a slow start, Lin responds immediately by claiming games two and three (12-10, 11-1) but then hits a brick wall as Jang produces a spirited effort (11-7) to make it 2-2. When Lin gets going he is difficult to stop, but Jang is forcing the Chinese competitor to think twice about his relentless approach.
Jang strikes first
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Seeded nine positions lower than his opponent in the men’s singles seeding list, Korea Republic’s Jang Woojin holds a surprise early lead in his meeting with China’s Lin Gaoyuan, successfully capturing game one by a four point margin (11-7). Runner up in 2018, Lin will be hoping to move on from that opening game as quickly as possible!
RESULT: Xu Xin 4-2 Lin Yun-Ju (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-2, 11-3)
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
At the first hint of a potential comeback from his opponent, Xu completely shuts down the possibility of his young Chinese Taipei performing any such heroics. The Chinese penhold grip specialist, XUperman drops just five points in total across the next two games to seal an impressive win.
Back-to-back game wins bring Lin level
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
A complete reversal of the opening stages of this match, Lin has responded with two games on the bounce (11-9, 11-7) to draw level at 2-2. This one could prove to be a close contest if things continue moving along at this pace.
Cloudwalker looking imperious
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Xu Xin is showing exactly why he is considered one of the main title contenders in Zhengzhou with an electric start to his quarter-finals meeting with Lin Yun-Ju. Both players are producing wonderful table tennis, but so far it’s Xu who holds all the cards (11-7, 11-8).
RESULT: Mima Ito 4-3 Wang Yidi (6-11, 11-8, 11-13, 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Mima Ito has done it, she moves into the semi-finals here in Zhengzhou after edging a dramatic 4-3 contest against Wang Yidi. The Japanese star will be delighted with the result, having struggled with Wang’s aggressive approach in past head-to-heads and now goes on to face Wang Manyu for a place in the final.
A decider required
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Six games played, there’s still nothing to separate Ito and Wang. Second seed Ito significantly ups the pace, convincingly taking games four and five (11-4, 11-7) but another commendable effort from Wang sees the Chinese player prevail in game six (11-7) to force a deciding seventh. Who will emerge victorious?
Gap narrowing but Wang still leads
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
That’s much more like it from Ito who puts a disappointing opening game behind her to claim game two (11-8), levelling the scores at 1-1. Ito also manages to save four game points in game three to take Wang right down to the wire, but it’s the Chinese player who once again takes the lead (13-11). This next game could prove crucial!
Not the start Ito was hoping for
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Wang Yidi has proven one of the tougher eggs to crack for Mima Ito in the past and the Japanese player hasn’t made the kind of start that she would have hoped for in this latest head-to-head.
A less than ideal opening to the game falling 5-0 behind, Ito does show signs of growing into the contest but ultimately loses out in game one (11-6). Wang will be hoping for more of the same, meanwhile it’s time for Ito to reset and go again.
RESULT: Wang Manyu 4-1 Cheng I-Ching (11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
We have a final result to bring you and it’s good news for China as Wang Manyu completes a resounding 4-1 victory over Cheng I-Ching, setting up a semi-final encounter with one of Wang Yidi and Mima Ito who meet face-to-face next on table 1.
Cheng responds but pressure begins to mounts
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Cheng is showing plenty of character in this one and is more than holding her own, but she has a mountain to climb here. The no.5 seed from Chinese Taipei narrows the deficit with a strong outing in game three (11-9) but the momentum quickly shifts back to Wang with game four going to last year’s runner up (11-6).
Down 3-1 overall, there is no more margin for error on Cheng’s side now.
Explosive power
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
China’s Wang Manyu has enjoyed a thunderous start to her quarter-final meeting with Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, showing explosive power to race into a two-game lead (11-7, 11-7). Can Cheng find a way to start troubling her opponent or will it be more from Wang?
RESULT: Ma Long 4-2 Mattias Falck (11-5, 7-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 13-11)
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
And it’s Ma Long who once again holds the upper hand against Mattias Falck after another thrilling encounter between the two.
If any game was to sum up the overall picture of the match it is surely game six with the two competitors separated by the narrowest of margins. Leading 10-7, Ma holds three match points only for Falck to claim four points on the bounce to hold a game point in his favour at 10-11. Ma keeps his cool and eventually crosses the finish line 13-11.
Falck still in with a shout
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Ma is closing in on a spot in the semi-finals after moving into a 3-2 lead in this best of seven affair.
The third and fourth games continue to be closely contest with Ma and Falck picking up the respective games (11-5) and (11-6). Falck then saves five game points in game five with an impressive comeback effort from the Swede, but Ma holds his nerve to close out the game (11-9). The Chinese superstar is just one game away from victory here but Falck isn’t out of this just yet!
Evenly balanced so far
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Two games into this one and there’s very little in it so far with both players putting a game on the scoreboard. Enjoying the brighter start of the two (11-5), but Ma was on the back foot for much of the second game and can’t find his way back into it as Falck draws level (11-7). We’re all-square here at one game apiece.
Much-anticipated rematch
It’s time for a repeat of the 2019 World Championships men’s singles final as China’s Ma Long meets Sweden’s Mattias Falck.
Fan reacts
“There were moments that were very uncomfortable for me especially in the second, fourth and fifth games when he played to his strengths. I kept looking for solutions and it was important in the second game, being able to fight back to win it.” Fan Zhendong
RESULT: Fan Zhendong 4-1 Hugo Calderano (11-6, 13-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9)
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Today just wasn’t the day for Calderano who has fallen short at the quarter-final hurdle in Zhengzhou with Fan progressing in his stead.
Down 3-0 on the scoreboard, Calderano manages to claw one back with another strong showing in game four and looked certain to close the gap further after sailing into a commanding 8-4 lead in game five. However, it wasn’t to be for the Brazilian as Fan took seven of the next eight points to bring the match to a halt.
Tough luck so far for Brazilian
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
That will be tough to take for Brazil’s Hugo Calderano after coming so close to levelling his match against top seed Fan Zhendong. Missing out in game one (11-6), Calderano has an excellent chance to respond right away with three game point opportunities but fails to convert as Fan eventually goes on to double his lead (13-11).
Calderano has also been forced to change rackets after picking up damage to the one he started the tie with in game two.
Sun reacts
“I haven’t played against Suh Hyowon a lot, the last time was in 2019 and that was not an easy match. I watched her play against Ishikawa yesterday and she seemed to be well adjusted to the playing conditions and in good form. Playing a defender, it was energy draining for both of us so it was just trying to push each point, even if it was played to the seventh game, all I could do was to just keep playing.
Today she played closer to the table and was more aggressive than before. The change in style did put some pressure on me.” Sun Yingsha
RESULT: Sun Yingsha 4-2 Suh Hyowon (10-12, 11-6, 8-11, 11-3, 13-11, 11-5)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
After 56 minutes of exhilarating action, Sun Yingsha has won the Asian domestic to move on to the semi-finals, seeing off Suh Hyowon in six games.
Looking like it was headed for a decider, both athletes were neck and neck at 2-2 when Sun took the reins of the match in her hands, and managed to win three games successively and secure the top 4 slot.
Balanced beginnings for Suh & Sun
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Suh Hyowon and Sun Yingsha are matching each other toe-to-toe here in Zhengzhou as the second quarter-final is played out.
The Korea Republican took the first game 12-10, but the Chinese responded immediately to win the second game 11-6 and level the score. Who will blink first?
RESULT: Chen Meng 4-2 Petrissa Solja (9-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8, 11-2, 11-6)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Chen Meng has responded, and how! It’s almost as if the world no.1 woke up after losing the first two games – seeing her win the next four with a renewed vigor.
Petrissa Solja, despite her best efforts, could not stop the barrage of attacking forehands from Chen which have taken her all the way to the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive time. What a start to the quarters!
“Firstly I thought it was an exciting match especially since in the first two games I lost at at very tight points. I thought Solja played really well today. In the second game at 10-8, I played too conservatively in my serve and receive game. I was doing well with my serve before 10-10 but at that instance things didn’t go my way. At 0-2, in fact I was able to relax a little more and I was getting used to her playing rhythm. The in the first three exchange, we knew each other’s playing style after two games and as the rally progressed I thought I had the upper hand. In the third game I just tried to reduce my unforced errors and take the initiative earlier.” Chen Meng
Solja takes strong lead against Chen
Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
This wasn’t in the script, now, was it??! Petrissa Solja has taken a 2-0 (11-9, 12-10) lead against reigning World Cup winner and world no.1 Chen Meng in their quarter-final clash.
The German has shown immense steel and grit to completely shut out Chen in the first two games, and could be on course for the biggest upset of the event. Will Chen respond??
RESULT: Lin Gaoyuan 4-0 Koki Niwa (11-9, 11-3, 11-4, 11-9)
Men’s Singles: Round of 16
And just like that, the round of 16 is concluded at the ITTF Finals in Zhengzhou, with a win for Lin Gaoyuan in under 27 minutes!
The Chinese athlete was clearly in the mood for a quick session, and Koki Niwa could not find a way to stay in the match. Lin moves on to the quarter-finals, which start right now!
Gaoyuan keeps it simple
Men’s Singles: Round of 16
Lin Gaoyuan is using the technique of patience and pounce against Koki Niwa, and it is working like a charm in the final round of 16 battle at the ITTF Finals.
The Chinese star has a two game lead in hand (11-9, 11-3), as the Japanese block-master is unable to slow down the pace of Lin’s shots. Is there any way back for him?
RESULT: Lin Yun-Ju 4-2 Dimitrij Ovtcharov (8-11, 11-3, 4-11, 11-9, 11-6, 12-10)
Men’s Singles: Round of 16
Well, what a turn of events this was! Lin Yun-Ju flipped the score and the momentum of this match in stunning fashion!
Recording an impressive win in six games, the Chinese Taipei teenager managed to eliminate Dimitrij Ovtcharov in just under an hour after the German had taken an initial lead. From 1-2 down to 4-2, Lin really had to dig in deep – and will remember this match for just how tough this competition can be!
“At least I was able to win in the end but I thought I was slow in getting up to speed especially in my serve and receive game, I was not decisive enough. In the first four games he had the upper hand but I tried to get over it, avoid playing to his rhythm and play to my strengths. In the third and fourth games he had a few shots that caught the net or edges, I had to get over it quickly and just play my own game.” Lin Yun-Ju
Ovtcharov on the prowl
Men’s Singles Round of 16
Dimitrij Ovtcharov is on the prowl for a spot in the final eight, as he battles young prodigy Lin Yun-Ju.
The German is facing a tight match as the young Chinese Taipei athlete is attacking his backhand at every chance. Will Ovtcharov’s experience help him build on his 2-1 (11-8, 3-11, 11-4) lead?
RESULT: Mima Ito 4-1 Doo Hoi Kem (13-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6)
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Japan’s Mima Ito has reached the quarter-final stages of the ITTF Finals after an engaging tussle with Hong Kong China’s Doo Hoi Kem that lasted a little over 40 minutes.
The world no.2 was calm, composed and in complete control of the match from the start – with even the loss of the second game not making her flinch. Just how far will Ito go?
RESULT: Cheng I-Ching 4-1 Adriana Diaz (9-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-5, 13-11)
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
What a turn of pace can do is win you the match – and a place in the quarters!
Cheng I-Ching has totally taken this match by the scruff of its neck and secured a superb win in five games despite the balanced start we had. Adriana Diaz just had no answer to how her Asian opponent switched up the gears from game three – evidence of just how good Cheng really is.
“I was a little anxious coming into this match. In the first game, I haven’t gotten used to the playing rhythm. Adriana’s had quite a few variety to her play and I took time to get used to them but I just tried to open up the game a little more and get into the game. In the first game, I made too many unforced errors. In the following games I tried to reduce that and tried to play better shots, longer and deeper on the table and slowed it down because she was trying to rush me. After slowing it down it was much better for me.” Cheng I-Ching
Even start
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Adriana Diaz and Cheng I-Ching have started the action on day two with evenly matched efforts – games.
The Puerto Rican took game one 11-9, followed by the Chinese Taipei athlete winning game two 11-4, and as of this update it is 9-9 in the third. Early signs this might be a seven-game match??
What’s coming your way?
Before we get underway here in Zhengzhou, here’s a look ahead to the day’s fixture line-up:
Welcome back to #RESTART!
Good morning and welcome to day two of the Bank of Communications 2020 ITTF Finals and with it the third #RESTART series event.
Today’s action sees ten athletes battle it out for the final five quarter-final positions – with the next knockout round commencing immediately after. You can read up on the draw here.
