Another title for Chinese Taipei pair

Champions last week in Shenzhen, in Hong Kong there were further celebrations for Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching after the Chinese Taipei duo secured mixed doubles gold.

At the final hurdle fifth seeds Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching produced an impressive performance against no.6 seeds Lee Sangsu and Choi Hyojoo, bossing the Korean partnership from start to finish with only three games being required (11-8, 11-3, 11-7).

Lin Gaoyuan recovers

Top seed Lin Gaoyuan was forced to recover from a 0-2 deficit in his men’s singles quarter-final fixture against fellow compatriot Wang Chuqin.

Drawing the scores level at 2-2 Lin Gaoyuan crucially added game five in his favour before going on to complete the comeback 4-2 (10-12, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7). Next up for Lin Gaoyuan is another all-China affair against no.3 seed Liang Jingkun.

Sofia Polcanova reacts

Exiting at the quarter-final stage in Hong Kong, Sofia Polcanova reacts:

“I think this was a strange game today. We both were not very comfortable, I had problems with her services and she also had problems with mine. that is why in the first three games we both couldn’t find any rhythm. I think I was leading in the third and fourth games, but I could not take my chances. It is tough because I think I was there and I could have won. The key moments are probably at the end of each game she always made better services, she risked a lot and I did not. That is why she won.” Sofia Polcanova

Difficult test but Mima Ito moves through

Japanese star Mima Ito has come through a difficult quarter-final test in the women’s singles draw with the second seed holding off a brave attempt from Austria’s Sofia Polcanova.

No.14 seed Sofia Polcanova showed great composure throughout the match and managed to save four match point opportunities in game five. However, in the end it was Mima Ito who took the plaudits (11-8, 9-11, 12-10, 14-12, 13-11), ending European hopes in the process.

Third seed reacts to quarter-final exit

Experiencing a narrow defeat, here’s how Timo Boll reacted to his men’s singles elimination:

“I had the feeling from the beginning it was a close game. First two games I was a little bit unlucky, but I had a feeling I was on par with him. I was trying to fight back and played a little bit more precise, turning the game around. The sixth game was the key, I had my chances, but the middle of the game I lost my focus and concentration… Overall it was a good game from both of us, I am quite happy with how I played but of course disappointed I lost in the end.” Timo Boll

Timo Boll defeated!

One of the sport’s most revered names, Germany’s Timo Boll has been eliminated from the men’s singles draw in Hong Kong following a full distance encounter against Chinese qualifier Zhou Yu.

Trailing by a two games deficit but Timo Boll responded well, claiming three consecutive games to move to within one from a spot in the semi-finals. However, Zhou Yu continued to show great fighting spirit, winning back-to-back games to topple the fourth seed by a 4-3 margin (11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6).

Journey ends for defensive specialist

Suh Hyowon won’t be making an appearance in the last four of the women’s singles event after the no.5 seed from Korea Republic fell at the quarter-finals stage.

Possessing defensive skills to be marvelled at but on this occasion Suh Hyowon was simply outclassed, losing out to Chinese Taipei no.3 seed Cheng I-Ching 4-1 (11-4, 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8). China’s Wang Yidi awaits Cheng I-Ching in the semi-finals.

Wang Yidi keeps China’s hopes alive

Staying close the table whenever possible, noticeably effective attacking fast from the backhand with short quickly executed strokes, China’s Wang Yidi, required to qualify, beat Japan’s Saki Shibata, the no.8 seed (11-6, 15-13, 5-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-7) to keep Chinese hopes alive.

The second game proved crucial; Saki Shibata led 6-2, the deficit was reduced to one point at 7-6; Saki Shibata elected for “Time Out”; Wang Yidi levelled but at 10-8, Saki Shibata held two game points. Both were saved, both had opportunities to win the game, before at 14-13 ahead Wang Yidi called “Time Out”. It proved a prudent decision.

Tomokazu Harimoto books semi-final place

The n0.2 seed, Tomokazu Harimoto accounted for colleague, Jun Mizutani, the no.2 seed (13-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9) to reserve his place in the penultimate round.

In the second game, Jun Mizutani recovered from a 4-9 deficit but there was to be no memorable recovery. Tomokazu Harimoto has now won all three encounters in world ranking tournaments. He prevailed at the Liebherr 2017 World Championships and at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Austrian Open.

Winning the vital points

Japan’s Miu Hirano, the no.4 seed, beat Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, the no.7 seed (11-9, 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9) to book her place in the semi-finals of the women’s singles event.

Never still, always active, it was a contest in which Miu Hirano excelled at the vital stages; in the opening game she was behind all the time until levelling at 9-all; it was very much the same in the fifth, she trailed from the start until gaining parity at 8-all and then converting on her second match point, arguably the best point of the whole match.

Liang Jingkun in control

China’s Liang Jingkun, the no.3 seed, beat Sweden’s Mattias Falck, the no.7 seed in four straight games (15-13, 11-1, 11-4, 11-8).

Win a close first game and confidence blossoms, never was the adage more true. After securing the opening game, Liang Jingkun won the first nine points of the second; in the third he went ahead 3-0, Mattias Falck called “Time Out”, it was to no avail. Throughout the Swede experienced problems returning service, he could not establish a rhythm to his play, time and again Liang Jingkun, increasingly the more positive player, secured the point before and semblance of a rally could develop.

“I only played okay, it was not too good in terms of my performance but I managed to find his weaknesses, attack and put pressure on him. I have to admit I did not expect such a one-sided scoreline though.” Liang Jingkun

Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Hang Seng Hong Kong Open: Schedule for Thursday 6th – Sunday 9th June