by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
The top seed, Zhu Yuling, successful against Miu Hirano, the no.4 seed, the previous day (11-6, 11-8), 11-8), repeated the performance; once again a straight games win was recorded (13-11, 11-8, 11-2, 12-10).
In the first and fourth games Miu Hirano had chances but at the crucial stages the consistency of Zhu Yuling proved too great.
Success in straight games was followed by success in six games for Liu Shiwen, the no.2 seed , in opposition to Kasumi Ishikawa, the no.3 seed (15-13, 11-3, 9-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-6). Kasumi Ishikawa very much rose to the occasion, she matched Liu Shiwen in the rallies but as with Zhu Yuling that vital extra degree of consistency proved crucial.
“It was a tough match. Kasumi Ishikawa was in a good form and has performed well in recent events; her rallies and forehand attacks today were very threatening. My physical strength and focus declined a bit in the third game. It was disappointing in the third game that I recovered from 7-0 down to 9-10 down and lost.” Liu Shiwen.
Wins for the Chinese women were followed by wins for the Chinese men; rallies exchanged at breakneck speed, Lin Gaoyuan, the no.7 seed, accounted for Chen Chien-An, the no.9 seed (11-5, 12-10, 15-13, 11-7), before Fan Zhendong, the top seed, defeated Lee Sangsu, the no.5 seed (11-5, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7).
“It was my first time top play in the semi-final so I had some pressure before the match started. I was well prepared for the match because Chen Chien-An beat Fan Zhendong in the group stage. I didn’t take much rest after quarter-final; I just kept reviewing his match videos and to be prepared.” Lin Gaoyuan
Meanwhile, in the matches for positions five to eight in the Men’s event, Korea’s Jeong Sangeun beat Japan’s Koki Niwa (6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 13-11, 13-11, 11-8); the latter’s colleague, Jun Mizutani overcame Cheng Chi-Yuan (8-11, 11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6, 13-11).
In the Women’s event, for places five to eight, Chen Szu-Yu won the all Chinese Taipei clash overcoming Cheng I-Ching (11-6, 11-4, 11-8, 3-11, 5-11, 2-11, 11-9); Korea’s Suh Hyowon defeated Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem (12-10, 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 11-6).
Play concludes on Sunday 17th September.
