Commanding performance from Zhu Yuling
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
The final quarterfinals spot up for grabs in the women’s singles event has gone to Zhu Yuling after the Chinese player stormed to victory over Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa in her opening round fixture.
Imperious right from the start of play, Zhu was rarely troubled by her opponent across games one and two but it was her showing in game three that really stole the show, powering to a 11-0 win! With momentum against her, Ishikawa fought back to take the following game but it wasn’t enough as Zhu responded in game five to extend her stay in the competition (11-6, 11-7, 11-0, 7-11, 11-8).
Franziska on fire!
Men’s Singles: Round of 16
Impressive at the recent 2019 Australian Open, Germany’s Patrick Franziska is through to the quarterfinals of the men’s singles draw in Johor Bahru with another fine display in the spotlight.
Meeting China’s Liang Jingkun at the opening hurdle of the 2019 T2 Diamond, Franziska took the opening game by a one point margin but it didn’t take long for his opponent to respond with Liang winning game two by a convincing margin. Franziska and Liang picked up games three and four respectively, but with Fast5 being deployed it was the German who capitalised with back-to-back game successes to secure a 4-2 victory (11-10, 4-11, 11-8, 7-11, 5-1, 5-3).
Defending champion departs
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Crowned champion last year but Romania’s Bernadette Szocs is out of the running this time out following a gruelling encounter with three-time World champion Ding Ning.
Getting off to a blistering start with a sensational performance in game one, but Szocs’s luck soon changed as Ding began to find her footing. Three consecutive game wins for Ding and the Chinese superstar also came out on top in game five, winning Fast5 by a three point margin (5-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-2, 5-2).
Mattias Falck holds his nerve
Men’s Singles: Round of 16
An impressive year so far, Swedish star Mattias Falck continues to shine with a fantastic opening round win in Johor Bahru.
Facing fierce opposition in the form of Koki Niwa, 27-year-old Falck took full advantage of his short pimples with his Japanese counterpart struggling to cope with Swede’s flat-hitting style. 3-0 down Niwa refused to go out without a fight, claiming game four and with the countdown clock expiring it was time for Fast5! Niwa reduced the deficit to one with a successful outing in game five but Falck kept his eyes on the prize, taking game six to progress (11-8, 11-8, 11-10, 10-11, 2-5, 5-3).
Fan shows his class
Men’s Singles: Round of 16
In a tournament meant for the elites of Table Tennis, Fan Zhendong decided to ooze his class against Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, winning 11-8, 11-10, 11-6, 5-2.
China’s Fan took early hold in the match winning three games on the trot without letting his guard down. FAST5 came into play which spurred the former world #1 on, as he won in straight games despite the best efforts of his Brazilian opponent.
Asian thriller on show
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Japan’s Miu Hirano was involved in a thriller when she took on Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, as the match moved through to the FAST5 games.
Starting with two consecutive games, Miu looked to be in complete control. Feng hit back with a comeback in the third game, halting the Japanese’s momentum. From thereon it was a ‘fast’ showing as Feng took the lead and never let go. The experienced Asian finally came out on top and landed her feet well into the quarterfinals. (8-11, 9-11, 11-10, 5-4, 5-3, 5-4)
Lin on the prowl
Men’s Singles: Round of 16
18-year old Lin Yun-Ju (TPE) became the first player to register a straight games win in Johor Bahru, as he defeated Japan’s Jun Mizutani 11-9, 11-10, 11-7, 11-8.
The match ended just as it took off, with Lin forcing errors from Jun on a regular basis. The younger athlete was quicker on the returns as well, meaning 30-year-old Jun could not impose his style over the game.
Early Han to rise
Women’s Singles: Round of 16
Fans in Johor Bahru were treated to an early match of tactical rallies as German Han Ying faced off against Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching.
The European was careful in her approach play, not attacking recklessly and slowing down the pace of the game. This resulted in consistent rallies and long drawn out points as both athletes almost toyed with each other. Given this, FAST5 was bound to happen and the last two games went by in Hang’s favor rather quickly. (11-8; 11-9; 9-11; 5-2; 5-2)
Match Day 2 begins
It’s time to sit back and enjoy another dramatic day in Johor Bahru – here’s the fixture schedule for Match Day 2 and make sure to watch along live:
