Tournaments

02 Mar 2019

Eight matches played, eight wins; in Shenzhen on Saturday 2nd March, Fan Zhendong maintained his unbeaten record to end the day the only unbeaten player in the whole tournament.

Meanwhile, after experiencing two defeats one day earlier, Ding Ning, the reigning Olympic and World champion, was very much back in business.

by Ian Marshall, Editor

After experiencing defeats the previous day at the hands of Wang Manyu (11-5, 11-6, 8-11, 7-11, 11-2) and Sun Yingsha (11-8, 11-8, 12-10); in her opening match on the third day of action, by the narrowest of five game margins, Ding Ning ended the unbeaten record of Chen Meng (12-14, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9).

“I tried my best. To win or to lose is normal. I just want to play well the next matches. I think I was a bit conservative in the deciding game. I wanted to take control of the match; my returns were too high. Everyone is of a similar level in this internal qualification. I just want to test what I have practised in the training sessions.” Chen Meng

Chen Meng, unbeaten run ended by Ding Ning (Photo: Zhao Chunsheng)

 

A confidence building win, in her one further contest of the day Ding Ning was in the fast lane; she beat Liu Shiwen in three straight games (11-6, 11-8, 11-4); notably for Liu Shiwen it was her second defeat of the day. Somewhat surprisingly earlier she had suffered at the hands of Sun Mingyang (11-9, 4-11, 11-5, 12-10).

“I did not give up even though I experienced two defeats yesterday; this kind of round robin playing system requires you to change the mindset very quickly. I am happy that I won both of my matches today.” Ding Ning

Sun Mingyang, the somewhat surprise winner in opposition to Liu Shiwen (Photo: Zhao Chunsheng)

 

Similarly, in her one further contest, Chen Meng spared no charity; she accounted for Wang Yidi in some style (11-5, 11-5, 11-7).

Impressive from Ding Ning and Chen Meng; it was the same from Fan Zhendong. After overcoming Xu Chenhao (11-8, 14-12, 11-2) and Yu Ziyang (11-6, 11-7, 11-2), in the battle of the hitherto unbeaten, he overcame Liang Jungkun (11-4, 11-9, 11-6).

“The match against Liang Jingkun was really important for both of us. Whoever won this match made one more step towards their goal; thanks to all the fans. We know everything about each other expect our weight! We are very familiar with each other. I made full preparation today.” Fan Zhendong

A first defeat for Liang Jingkun, beaten by Fan Zhendong (Photo: Zhao Chunsheng)

 

Earlier in the day, Liang Jingkun had beaten Lin Gaoyuan by the minimal two point margin in the decider (12-10, 8-11, 14-12, 9-11, 11-9), before in a further five games encounter, overcoming Zhao Zihao (11-5, 7-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-6).

Performances to savour but if there was one player who caught the eye it was 20 year old Xue Fei, the winner of the boys’ singles title at the 2017 World Junior Championships in Riva del Garda. He lost to Xu Chenhao by the minimal two point margin (8-11, 13-11, 9-11, 15-13, 12-10) but accounted for both Zhou Kai (13-11, 11-9, 8-11, 4-11, 11-8) and Yu Ziyang (11-7, 11-8, 11-5).

Yu Ziyang experienced defeat at the hands of Xue Fei (Photo: Zhao Chunsheng)

 

The end result is that he shares third place alongside Yan An, Lin Gaoyuan, Yu Ziyang and fellow pen-holder, Xu Xin.

Play in Shenzhen concludes on Sunday 3rd March.

Lin Gaoyuan one of five players in third place (Photo: Zhao Chunsheng)

 

Results

2019 Marvellous 12: Results – Men – Thursday 28th February

2019 Marvellous 12: Results – Men – Friday 1st March

2019 Marvellous 12: Results – Men – Saturday 2nd March

2019 Marvellous 12: Results – Women – Thursday 28th February

2019 Marvellous 12: Results – Women – Friday 1st March

2019 Marvellous 12: Results – Women – Saturday 2nd March

 

Standings

2019 Marvellous 12: Standings – Men – Thursday 28th February

2019 Marvellous 12: Standings – Men – Friday 1st March

2019 Marvellous 12: Standings – Men – Saturday 2nd March

2019 Marvellous 12: Standings – Women – Thursday 28th February

2019 Marvellous 12: Standings – Women – Friday 1st March

2019 Marvellous 12: Standings – Women – Saturday 2nd March

 

Forthcoming Matches – Men

2019 Marvellous 12: Order of Play – Men – Sunday 3rd March

 

Forthcoming Matches – Women

2019 Marvellous 12: Order of Play – Women – Sunday 3rd March

 

Quotes of the Day

2019 Marvellous 12: Quotes of the day – Thursday 28th February

2019 Marvellous 12: Quotes of the day – Friday 1st March

2019 Marvellous 12: Quotes of the day – Saturday 2nd March

 

2019 World Table Tennis Championships Fan Zhendong Ding Ning
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Photo Gallery

Day 8 - 2019 World Table Tennis Championships

Match Highlights