Liang/Lin lead, Duda/Qiu begin German domestic

China’s Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan have taken the lead (11-9) against Chen Chien-An and Chuang Chih-Yuan at the Zhengzhou Olympic Sports Center.

For the German battle happening in Zhengzhou, Qiu Dang and Benedikt Duda have started the better than their compatriots, Timo Boll and Franziska, leading 1-0 (11-9).

Chen/Cheng reach the final four

Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu and Cheng Hsien-Tzu have successfully eliminated the Japanese duo of Miu Hirano and Saki Shibata in a powerful display of intent (11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9).

“Today we did really well in receiving, which gave us more chances to attack. After the draw was out, we felt that we had our chances to win.” Chen Szu-Yu

In the first match of day lasting over half an hour, Hirano with Shibata were unable to breakthrough the strong defense of Chen with Cheng – leading to their early elimination from the competition.

Sun/Wang coast as Chen/Cheng take control

Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu reached the semi-finals as they won 3-0 (11-7, 13-11, 11-7) having been 8-10 down to Ng Wing Kam and Soo Wai Yam Minnie in the second game at one stage.

Meanwhile, Chen Szu-Yu and Cheng Hsien-Tzu are now leading Miu Hirano and Saki Shibata by 2-1 (11-9, 7-11, 11-6) – can they eliminate the Japanese duo?

Sun/Wang start well, Chen/Cheng surprise Hirano/Shibata

It’s time to move to the women’s doubles – and do we have a couple of games for you! China’s Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu have started with an 11-7 win over Hong Kong China’s Ng Wing Kam and Soo Wai Yam Minnie.

But for Japan’s Miu Hirano and Saki Shibata, things could have gone better. Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu and Cheng Hsien-Tzu have taken an unexpected lead (11-9) after some impressive net shots at the table!

Cheng/Lin join Ito/Mizutani in Tokyo!

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching have just booked their tickets to Tokyo 2020, as they wrapped up an impressive 3-0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-4) win over Hungarians Adam Szudi Szandra Pergel.

“Now I can feel the Olympics. We have better mindset today. We just try our best to pose our opponents under pressure. I am a bit older than my partner, so I try to lead him on the court. We have very good communication. We encourage each other to relieve our pressure.” Cheng I-Ching

Japan’s Mima Ito with Jun Mizutani also clinched a swift 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-6) victory in 20 minutes, sending them to the semi-finals of the World Tour Grand Finals, after they beat France’s Tristan Flore and Laura Gasnier.

Ito/Mizutani lead, so do Cheng/Lin

The second set of quarter-finals is underway here in Zhengzhou, with Japan’s Mima Ito with Jun Mizutani taking an early lead (11-7, 11-6) against France’s Tristan Flore and Laura Gasnier.

Similarly for the Chinese Taipei pair, Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching won their first two games (11-7, 11-3) against Hungarians Adam Szudi with Szandra Pergel. Who will take the last tickets to Tokyo?

Wong/Doo and Xu/Liu qualify for Tokyo!

Playing the Grand Finals has a perk – things get interesting very soon! This year, the final four of the mixed doubles get direct entry to the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 – and the first two pairs have already been decided!

“I feel so happy and excited to get qualified for Tokyo 2020. I am experiencing a difficult time recently as my leg was injured. I could not do much training. But I am still here to fight for Olympic spot. I am very happy now.” Wong Chun Ting

Xu Xin with Liu Shiwen coasted to a 3-0 (11-3, 11-5, 13-11) win over Cho Daeseong with Shin Yubin, needing all but 25 minutes. Joining the Chinese pair are the Hong Kong China duo, Wong Chun Ting with Doo Hoi Kem who beat Lubomir Pistej with Barbora Balazova in straight games (12-10, 11-9, 11-7).

Xu/Liu start strong, Wong/Doo recover

It’s a fine day for top seeds in the Mixed Doubles to start their campaigns, as China’s Xu Xin with Liu Shiwen just won their first two games (11-3, 11-5) against Korea Republic’s Cho Daeseong with Shin Yubin.

Over at Table 2, Hong Kong China’s Wong Chun Ting with Doo Hoi Kem came back to win 12-10 after being 0-6 down to Slovakian’s Lubomir Pistej with Barbora Balazova.

Let the Grand Finals begin!