The crowd goes wild: Japan 3-1 Germany
Men’s Team – Quarter-Finals
Despite saving multiple match point opportunities Patrick Franziska can’t stop Tomokazu Harimoto in his tracks as the 16-year-old beats his German counterpart across four games (7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 14-12), handing Japan a 3-1 victory on this occasion.
High fives all around for the hosts who will now meet top seeds China in a mouthwatering semi-final clash on Saturday afternoon.
Yoshimura stuns German legend Boll
Men’s Team – Quarter-Finals
Well, well, well. This match has taken an unexpected twist with Maharu Yoshimura claiming a shock 3-0 victory over Timo Boll (11-7, 11-9, 13-11) to put Japan ahead for the first time in the match. The scores sit at 2-1 in the host nation’s favour – can they capitalise or will Germany respond?
Crucial matches – who will win?
Dream run concludes for Team USA
Men’s Team – Quarter-Finals
Already up 2-0 on the scoreboard, China’s place in the semi-finals was soon confirmed by Liang Jingkun seeing off Kai Zhang without dropping a game (11-3, 11-5, 11-3) to seal a 3-0 victory for the reigning champions.
It’s the end of the road for Team USA but no’s there denying that the ZEN-NOH 2019 ITTF Team World Cup has been nothing short of a huge success for the North American side and they can return home with their heads held high.
Harimoto brings Japan level
Men’s Team – Quarter-Finals
Teenage ace Tomokazu Harimoto has once again stepped up to the mark when needed, coming out on top in a tricky meeting with former World no.1 Dimitrij Ovtcharov (11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-2). The result sees Japan draw level with Germany at 1-1.
World no.1 shows no mercy
Men’s Team – Quarter-Finals
One of the finest attacking players on the planet new World no.1 Fan Zhendong has just further demonstrated his unforgiving nature on the table, storming to a commanding 3-0 victory over Kanak Jha (11-3, 11-5, 11-5) to extend China’s advantage over USA to 2-0. Just one more win is required to see top seeds China through to the last four.
Slow start but German duo recover
Men’s Team – Quarter-Finals
It looked as though Japan was on course to gain an early lead against Team Germany as Koki Niwa and Maharu Yoshimura took game one in the opening fixture, however, the European champions responded through Patrick Franziska and Timo Boll’s rampant comeback (7-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5) to put the hosts on the back foot.
Team China strikes first
Men’s Team – Quarter-Finals
As anticipated China are off to a quick start in their quarter-final tie with USA with Xu Xin and Liang Jingkun strolling past Yijun Feng and Kai Zhang in straight games (11-5, 11-5, 11-0). China leads USA 1-0 in this best of five contest.
Quarter-finals time
With group stage action out of the way it’s time to bring you two epic men’s team quarter-final encounters as China takes on the United States and Germany meets hosts Japan.
…and Team USA make the quarters!
Women’s Team’s – Groups
What a day to be American! Amy Wang’s victory over Karoline Mischek (11-4, 3-11, 12-10, 11-9) of Team Austria means women’s Team USA have reached the knock-out stages of the Team World Cup a few hours after their men’s team did the same.
With the 3-1 win, Team USA finished second in Group B behind hosts Japan after an overall stupendous display in the group stages. How far will this squad go in the World Cup?
Ukraine win as USA re-takes lead
Women’s Team’s – Groups
Team Egypt gave it all against the Ukraine squad, as Dina Meshref levelled the scores after her win over Margaryta Pesotska in five, but Ganna Gaponova hit right back against Yousra Helmy (11-5, 11-4, 11-6), before Margaryta Pesotska herself secured the win for Team Ukraine as she defeated Marwa Alhodaby (11-2, 11-4, 11-5), putting her side second in Group A.
For Team USA, Amy Wang was caught out by Austria’s Liu Jia who won in five games as well and then saw her compatriot Amelie Solja lose out in straight games to Wu Yue (11-4, 11-6, 11-6). Can USA hold on to their lead?
Romania reach quarters in style, Korea Republic follow
Women’s Team’s – Groups
Team Romania have successfully made the quarter-finals of the Team World Cup as they clinically beat Team Vanuatu 3-0 with Bernadette Szocs and Daniela Monteiro sealing their wins against Priscila Tommy (11-3, 11-2, 11-5) and Anolyn Lulu (11-3, 11-5, 11-3) in style.
Korea Republic’s Choi Hyojoo and Jeon Jihee have put their team into the knock-out stages, as they beat Bruna Takahashi (11-8, 11-6, 11-13, 11-9) and Caroline Kumahara (3-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-6) in a couple of powerful displays. This means that team Brazil have been eliminated and Korea Republic top Group D!
America’s day gets better, Korea Republic in control
Women’s Team’s – Groups
Team USA have had a morning to relish in Tokyo, as the women’s team seems to be following the men’s performances on the table. Lily Zhang and Wu Yue beat Team Austria’s Karoline Mischek and Amelie Solja in straight games (11-6, 13-11, 11-6) giving USA a deserved lead.
Meanwhile, Team Brazil’s Jessica Yamada and Caroline Kumahara fell to Korea Republic’s Jeon Jihee and Shin Yubin in a similar fashion, meaning they have it all to do in order to make the quarter-finals.
Romania and Ukraine open with confidence
Women’s Team’s – Groups
Elizabeta Samara and Daniela Monterio had a swift win over Team Vanuatu’s Stephanie Qwea and Anolyn Lulu, as the Romanian duo made the case for their team’s knock-out potential (11-4, 11-3, 11-2).
In the match at Table 4, Team Ukraine had Tetyana Bilenko and Ganna Gaponova to thank for a strong start as they defeated Team Egypt’s Yousra Helmy and Marwa Alhodaby in straight games (11-3, 11-6, 11-1).
Jha wins as Sweden & USA play out thriller
Men’s Team’s – Groups
In the first decider of the day, Team USA came out of top as Kanak Jha and Team Sweden’s Anton Kallberg were involved in a thriller where the American managed to secure a win and a spot in the knock-out stages for his country.
Having each won two games at the end of four, neither player was letting up in the match meaning the fans were having a feast of their own. Eventually, Jha used his off-beat pace on the table to make things difficult for Kallberg, which led to a deserved 3-2 win (11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-7) and second position in Group D.
“We are so excited with this victory and I must commend my teammate – Kanak Jha for lifting our spirit even when we lost the doubles match. He has causing upsets and he did that again tonight. This is a good feeling for me particularly playing at the same venue that will host the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games” Feng Yijun
Chinese Taipei secure quarter-final spot
Men’s Team’s – Groups
Despite the previous heroics of Quadri Aruna, Team Nigeria could not muster up a lasting challenge as Team Chinese Taipei secured their final 8 position with an overall 3-1 win.
Young prodigy Lin Yun-Ju wrapped up the win for his country when he beat Olajide Omotayo in straight games (11-3, 11-5, 11-3). This meant Chinese Taipei finished second in Group A as Nigeria had to settle for third spot.
Aruna pushes back, as England top group
Men’s Team’s – Groups
Quadri Aruna hit back for Team Nigeria as he beat Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chien-An, who threatened to comeback midway through the tie (11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 2-11, 11-9). Instead, that is what Aruna just did for the overall match, as Team Chinese Taipei’s lead was cut back to 2-1.
“I think we like this environment particularly playing in team event. It has now become like a fun to us and especially that we are in good form now. We love the environment and this has really given us confidence going into any match. it is good to have a feel of what to expect at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games especially getting used to the venue. This is good and I know there will a lot of pressure then. We hope to get a good time out here in Tokyo” Liam Pitchford
Over at Table 2, Team England won their match against Team Austria, securing the top spot in Group B. Liam Pitchford and Paul Drinkhall wrapped up the final two games against Robert Gardos (11-8, 12-14, 11-4, 11-13, 11-4) and Daniel Habesohn (11-8, 11-3, 11-9) to ensure their perfect start to the tournament.
Brazil make quarters, USA hit back to lead
Men’s Team’s – Groups
Team Brazil have swiftly made it to the quarter-finals of the Team World Cup here in Tokyo as they beat Team Australia 3-0 to claim the second spot in Group C. The final two single matches were won in typical fashion by Vitor Ishiy and Gustavo Tsuboi against Xavier Dixon (11-3, 11-4, 11-4) and Dillon Chambers (11-4, 11-8, 11-6) respectively.
Meanwhile, Team USA have taken the lead against Team Sweden as American favorite Kanak Jha beat Swedish Kristian Karlsson in a brilliant four-game match-up (11-6, 6-11, 12–10, 11-7), before Kai Zhang followed his compatriot’s example to defeat Elias Ranefur (11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9). Can Sweden turn it around?
England start big, as Nigeria falter
Men’s Team’s – Groups
In a double set of matches going to the decider, Team England and Team Chinese Taipei started the second day with a fine display of patience and grit, taking a 1-0 lead in a match to decide the final group positions.
For Tom Jarvis and Paul Drinkhall, the Austrian outfit of Andreas Levenko and Daniel Habesohn were a tough nut to crack – but one they eventually did (11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 11-9). As for Liao Cheng-Ting and Chen Chien-Ah, Team Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo made them dig deep for a power-packed five-game thriller (9-11, 15-13, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6).
Brazil & Sweden start better on day two
Men’s Team’s – Groups
Team Brazil’s Eric Jouti and Gustavo Tsuboi pushed on in their first match of day two for a place in the quarter-final draw by starting with a win over Team Australia’s Kane Townsend and Dillon Chambers (11-9, 11-9, 11-9).
Team Sweden duly followed in Group D, as Anton Kallberg and Elias Ranefur beat Team USA’s Kai Zhang and Yijun Feng (12-10, 11-5, 11-5) to put a measure of control over this tie.
