Vlad Jr. takes 1st batting practice with Blue Jays

Join the action from 10.00am local time as Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen face off in the first women’s singles semi-final encounter. A repeat of the 2015 final – on that occasion the “Queen of Hearts” came out on top in a full distance affair but who will take the plaudits this time around?

Then at 11.00am Chen Meng and Wang Manyu will fight it out in a match that will produce a first time finalist. Across their nine previous meetings it is Chen who holds the stronger record with six wins to her name, but don’t be surprised if Wang causes a few issues for the second seed.

Another all-China affair awaits us at 12.00pm as defending champion Ma Long attempts to hold off third seed Lin Gaoyuan in the last eight of the men’s singles draw. The second quarter-final is scheduled for 1.00pm with Liang Jingkun, who knocked out top seed Fan Zhendong in the previous round, looking to get the better of Japan’s Koki Niwa in their first head-to-head encounter on the international stage.

Keep your eyes glued to the screen at 2.00pm as the first gold medal match of the 2019 World Championships will be contested as the mixed doubles tournament draws to a close. Champions in 2017 can Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura and Kasumi Ishikawa successfully defend the title or will the trophy end up in the hands of China’s Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen?

Following a break in play we have the two remaining quarter-final fixtures in the men’s singles race: two of the surprise athletes in Budapest, France’s Simon Gauzy and Sweden’s Mattias Falck will do battle at 6.00pm aiming to become the first European to reach the last four since Timo Boll’s semi-final finish in 2011 while a player from Korea Republic will celebrate success at 7.00pm but will it be no.10 seed Jang Woojin or qualifier An Jaehyun?

Ma Long and Wang Chuqin will pair up in the first semi-final of the men’s doubles event as they meet fellow compatriots Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan in an exciting tie at 8.00pm. History will be made in the day’s concluding match as Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia and Joao Monteiro prepare to face Spain’s Alvaro Robles and Romania’s Ovidiu Ionescu at 9.00pm – will it be Portugal or Spain that reaches a final for the first time?

Be sure to watch the action unfold live with itTV and follow the live blog throughout the course of the day for all the latest from Budapest.

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FAN ZHENDONG LEADS LINE OF SHOCK EXITS

The elimination of world no. 1 FAN Zhendong (CHN) at the hands of no. 9 and compatriot LIANG Jingkun in six sensational games (11-5, 4-11, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 7-11) sent shockwaves around the world of sport, with many expecting the 2017 finalist to stage the most serious threat of all to MA Long’s Men’s Singles title.

An elimination in the round of 16 seemed inconceivable, especially when FAN started strong to claim the first game, only to lose the next three as LIANG powered his way back into the contest and eventually booked a quarter-final place against Koki NIWA (JPN).

CHANCES TAKEN AND CHANCES SQUANDERED

The exit of world no. 2 XU Xin on the previous day left world no. 4 Tomokazu HARIMOTO (JPN) as the highest ranked player left on his side of the draw. Presented with a golden opportunity – in the eyes of many – to reach the final of the event in Budapest, he too came undone in his match against AN Jaehyun (KOR) positioned 157th.

Once more, the 19-year-old defied his ranking and sealed his seventh win of the week since emerging from the qualification rounds. Against HARIMOTO, he won 4-2 (11-7, 3-11, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9), a result which left his 15-year-old opponent tearful at the end, perhaps realising the opportunity missed to go much further in the competition.

On the other side of the draw, Chinese duo LIN Gaoyuan (world no. 3) and MA Long (no. 11) romped to 4-0 and 4-1 victories over JEOUNG Youngsik (KOR) and Hugo CALDERANO (BRA) respectively, taking their chances to secure spots in the final eight.

A EUROPEAN IN THE SEMI-FINAL, BUT NOT TIMO BOLL

Sad news broke in the morning that 38-year-old table tennis legend Timo BOLL (GER) was forced to withdraw from the Men’s Singles competition (and later too the Men’s Doubles) due to a fever, thus leaving JANG Woojin (KOR) a clear path to the quarter-final.

Despite that, Day 5 was largely a positive day for European players. World no. 6 LEE Sangsu (KOR) succumbed to the mighty Mattias FALCK (SWE), the no. 16 continuing his stunning run of form on the international stage. A semi-finalist at the ITTF World Tour Qatar Open and runner-up at the ITTF Challenge Plus Oman Open, both played last month, FALCK is now in the quarter-final of the world’s biggest event of the year, where he will face Simon GAUZY (FRA).

The hero of Day 4, by virtue of his epic victory over XU Xin, GAUZY defeated WANG Yang (SVK) in straight games. Now the Frenchman will battle it out with FALCK in a bid to become the first European player to reach the semi-finals of a World Championships since Timo BOLL in 2011.

HISTORY TOO FOR SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

Two new countries will be added to the list of World Championships medal winners with Spain and Portugal guaranteeing their place on the Men’s Doubles podium.

Alvaro ROBLES (ESP) and Ovidiu IONESCU (ROU) ran out 4-0 winners in their encounter against Mattias FALCK and Kristian Karlsson (SWE) (11-5, 11-7, 13-11, 11-9), while Tiago Apolonia and Joao Monteiro (POR) progressed by default following the withdrawal of Timo BOLL and Patrick FRANZISKA (GER).

The fact that the aforementioned European winners will face one another in the next round means that another record will be written, as one of Spain or Portugal will reach a final for the very first time!

CHINA’S FINEST INTO WOMEN’S SINGLES FINAL FOUR

World no. 1 DING Ning, no. 3 CHEN Meng, no. 4 WANG Manyu and no. 5 LIU Shiwen: China’s four highest ranked participants at this year’s World Championships booked their places in Friday morning’s semi-finals.

DING continued her title defence with victory over no. 9 Miu HIRANO (JPN) in five games (11-8, 4-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-9), CHEN accounted for DOO Hoi Kem (HKG) 4-2, WANG defeated compatriot SUN Yingsha by the same scoreline, while LIU saw off Miyu KATO (JPN) 4-1.

Following yesterday’s exits of Mima ITO and Kasumi ISHIKAWA (JPN), today’s results complete a disappointing couple of days for the Japanese camp, who had hoped to challenge China’s best female players for major medals, but now the latter nation is guaranteed to lockout the podium in the Women’s Singles competition once more.

JAPAN VS CHINA IN MIXED & WOMEN’S DOUBLES FINALS

If China reigns supreme in the Women’s Singles, Japan do remain in the hunt for top prizes in the Mixed and Women’s Doubles finals.

Kasumi ISHIKAWA and Maharu YOSHIMURA (JPN) will take on XU Xin and LIU Shiwen (CHN) in Friday’s Mixed Doubles final (14.00 GMT+2) having defeated Petrissa SOLJA and Patrick FRANZISKA (GER) 4-1. XU and LIU saw off the threat of fellow Chinese pair, FAN Zhendong and DING Ning, who ended their debut Mixed Doubles campaign with Bronze.

Meanwhile, in the Women’s Doubles, there is also the guarantee of a Japan vs China final: Saturday’s semi-finals will see Japan’s Hina HAYATA and Mima ITO take on compatriots Honoka HASHIMOTO and Hitomi SATO, while CHEN Meng and ZHU Yuling face SUN Yingsha and WANG Manyu in a bid to challenge for Gold.

THE SCENT OF SILVERWARE!

If Day 5 will live long in the memory, more incredible matches are in store for Day 6, as players start to target the major prizes on offer this weekend in Budapest.

Tune in to itTV to make sure you don’t miss any of the action!

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It was a third appearance for the 27 year old in the tournament, having competed in Rotterdam in 2011 and two years later in Paris; one of his aims, in addition to reaching the main draw of major tournaments, being to raise the profile of table tennis in Latin America.

“I think with what Hugo Calderano has done, this has given a lot of us in Latin America hope that we can be among the best in the world. Who could have imagined that a Latin American player will be among the top 10 ranked players; it has happened and this for me is what is driving us in that region of the world. We must believe in ourselves and not to give up even when we are set up against some of the best players in the world.” Jorge Campos

Over the years Cuba has excelled in the world of athletics and boxing, medals abundant.

“In Cuba, the most popular sports are baseball and boxing, when I was young I wanted to play baseball because it is the national sport in Cuba. However, when I tried table tennis, I fell in love with the sport and I was given the opportunity to sharpen my skills in Sweden for three years through the support of an ITTF Scholarship. For three years I was in Köping in Sweden honing my skills. I believe going to Sweden was a big step in my career as it opened my eyes to a lot of opportunities in the sport,” Jorge Campos

Currently Jorge Campos is the number two national player in Cuba behind Andy Pereira and plies his trade in the fifth division of the German Bundesliga with TTC Kist.

“After returning from Sweden, I spent some years in Cuba before moving to Germany where I had played for three seasons. There is no doubt this has again given me the chance to meet several players with various styles. It is always good to test against other players to be able to assess yourself and continue to work hard on your weaknesses.” Jorge Campos

Eyes on ending the year in top 100, Jorge Campos is also looking forward to this year’s Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, in which he is targeting to win a medal for Cuba.

“I am looking forward to the Pan-Am Games in Peru as this will give me the chance to prove what I can do.” Jorge Campos

Notably, Jorge Campos hopes to enroll in a college this September to pursue his education alongside playing table tennis.

“Table tennis has given me a lot of opportunities in life especially it has taken me to various countries and I have experienced different cultures. I have also made friends through the sport and this for me has been the icing on the cake.” Jorge Campos

In October 2018, Ross Wilson claimed the men’s class 8 World title in Celje, Slovenia beating double Paralympic champion Zhao Shuai from China in the final, six months after winning the men’s class 6-10 Commonwealth title on Australia’s Gold Coast.

In his short but illustrious career, he has also won Paralympic team bronze medals in both London and Rio and taken European medals in 2011, 2015 and 2017 despite a series of injuries that kept him out of competition for two years following London 2012.

“It is brilliant. I walk through these halls every day so to be on the wall with so many fantastic athletes is something I’ll be proud of forever. We work so hard and for so many hours and I couldn’t do it without all of the support of people at the EISS, the support staff, coaches and everyone involved. Seeing my photo on the wall with all of the champions at the EIS is going to motivate me even more and hopefully I can add a few more major titles.” Ross Wilson

British Para Table Tennis Performance Director, Gorazd Vecko, has watched Wilson grow from talented teenager to World champion.

“Ross totally deserves this honour. We knew the talent was there for a long time and that he would get to where he is now to be the World champion and to have the chance to take a singles medal in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. When we set up the new programme in 2009 I was very happy that Ross was finally diagnosed in 2010 and he could start to play Para table tennis for Great Britain. In London 2012 he lost in the semi-finals of the singles 3-2 to Zhao, who was the best player of the time. This is the closest he has come so far in the singles at a Paralympics but we know he has a huge talent and he was a very important part of winning bronze medals in the team event in London and Rio.

I am very happy for Ross. He is a really hard working athlete and has put aside his personal life to dedicate himself to the sport. He is a great athlete and a great role model for Para table tennis and I really admire him and what he has done in his career. This is not the finish for Ross, there will be a lot more major titles in the future for him.” Gorazd Vecko

Paul Hudson, head of sport and leisure at Sheffield International Venues, which operates the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, was equally pleased.

“We’re delighted that Ross has received deserved recognition for his career achievements to date. At 23, he’s achieved so much but still has so much more to offer, and I’m excited to see where his career will take him next.”

Ma Long beats Lin Gaoyuan 11-8, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4

Focused, Ma Long was quick to seize the advantage; the opening game secured with a degree of authority. Success in the opening game for Ma Long, it was the same in the second, the points brief, serve, receive and first attack the crucial elements.

In the third game Ma Long established an 8-7 lead. He called “Time Out”; the benefit of hindsight underlined a wise move but one wondered if necessary. He won the next point, eventually won the game.

Stopping the Ma Long juggernaut, Lin Gaoyuan made errors as he tried to seize the opportunity. Trailing 2-5 in the fourth game, he elected for “Time Out”. Ma Long was now in total command, he won the next five points. At his third attempt, he secured victory.

Chen Meng beats Wang Manyu 11-5, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8

The more powerful player, Chen Meng secured the opening game. In the second, focusing her attacking play on many occasions towards the forehand of Wang Manyu, Chen Meng doubled her advantage.

Unusually when receiving service and playing a forehand top spin, Wang Manyu stand in a very square position, her feet parallel to the table.

Chen Meng secured the third game 11-5 after it had been parity at 4-all; in the fifth game she went ahead 5-4, Wang Manyu called “Time Out”. It was to prove to no avail; at 10-7 Chen Meng held three match points, she converted at the second attempt.

Thus Chen Meng underlined her liking for playing Wang Manyu in Budapest; earlier this year in January she beat Wang Manyu at the semi-final stage of the women’s singles event at the Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open.

Response from Ding Ning

Ding Ning reflects on her defeat

“I think today Liu Shiwen did not enter into the match rhythm very quickly. Actually in the second game, I was behind but I dealt with some crucial points to take game two.

From Game three, Liu Shiwen made a lot high quality shots when both attacking and defending. Her speed was also super fast, which gave me a lot of pressure. I could not find solutions to counter her speed. I tried to accelerate but she came back with faster. She became more and more relaxed when the match entered into her rhythm.” Ding Ning

Liu Shiwen reflects

Success for Liu Shiwen, she gave her thoughts

“When I was 0-2 down, especially when I led in the second game but Ding Ning managed to come back, I felt I have no other way. I just focus point by point. First, there is a specific rule stating that we cannot play 11-0. Second, Ding Ning is a very strong player. I do not dare to relax even a little bit. Third, this is also a way to respect the opponent.” Ding Ning

Reign ends: Liu Shiwen beats Ding Ning 6-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-0, 11-2

Ding Ning made the better start; in the opening game she went ahead 5-1; it was a lead she never relinquished. She secured the game 11-6. In the second she trailed 6-9, before the determination shone through, five points in a row gave her a two games to nil lead. Stung Liu Shiwen established an early lead in the third game; this time the advantage was not relinquished; deficit down to one game.

Fast close to the table play; if they had turned the table the other way around and played across the arena there would have been enough space!

Positioning herself very much at the centre of the table to cover any angle Ding Ning may achieve wide to the forehand, Liu Shiwen captured the fourth game; parity.

A rhythm established, not an error in sight, Liu Shiwen created a sight never been seen before; in the fifth game Ding Ning did not win a single point! The momentum was with Liu Shiwen, her consistency remarkable.

In the sixth game Liu Shiwen made the better start, she went ahead 4-2, Ding Ning called “Time Out”. The break worked in favour of Liu Shiwen, she did not lose another point.

Unusually, Ding Ning rarely used her favoured tomahawk serving technique.

The reign of Ding Ning was over; a new name is set to be added to the name of the women’s singles title holders.

Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen start the day

Former Russian international and at the time the Netherlands’ coach, Elena Timina remarked “every girl who lays table tennis should watch the recording of that match”. It was the women’s singles final at the Qoros 2015 World Championships in Suzhou when at the start of the vital seventh game, Ding Ning twisted her ankle, took a 1o minute injury break and then showed two facets that made her the champion.

Virtually playing on one foot, she displayed immense character and vastly important, she adapted.

However, also do not forget in three consecutive ITTF World Tour Grand Finals, starting in 2011, Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen met in the women’s singles gold medal contest. On each occasion Liu Shiwen won

Action underway

Here we go, it’s time for Day Six to get underway – for detailed information take a look at the fixture schedule below:

Preview Day Six

See what’s coming up on Day Six with our quick preview article:

Preview Day Six: New heights and first trophy up for grabs

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