Ever reliable, Jeon Jihee brings proceedings to a close
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Day three has officially drawn to its conclusion at the ZEN-NOH 2019 ITTF Team World Cup with Jeon Jihee’s successful outing against Margaryta Pesotska (11-9, 11-9, 11-4) guiding Korea Republic to a 3-1 win against a brave Ukrainian outfit.
Returning to the table on Saturday evening, Korea Republic will have a mighty challenge on their hands as home favourites Japan stand opposite.
Korea Republic edge back in front
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Experiencing somewhat of an unanticipated setback in the second contest of the match, but Team Korea Republic have once again taken the lead against opponents Ukraine courtesy of Yang Haeun’s straight games victory over Ganna Gaponova (11-6, 11-4, 11-5). Korea Republic leads 2-1, can Ukraine respond?
Ishikawa survives stern test: Japan 3-0 Romania
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
A fist-pump thrown in the air and a loud cheer! Kasumi Ishikawa negotiates a tight battle with Daniela Monteiro Dodean, besting her Romanian counterpart across five games (11-8, 11-13, 11-6, 10-12, 11-6) to complete a resounding 3-0 victory for Team Japan. The victor of Korea Republic vs Ukraine awaits the hosts in the last four.
It’s the end of the road for Romania at the ZEN-NOH 2019 ITTF Team World Cup, the European champions showed great class throughout their campaign in Tokyo and can return home feeling content with their efforts.
What a save!!!
Pesotska shock pulls Ukraine level
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Fantastic scenes on table 1 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium as spectators witness a major upset in the quarter-final contest between Korea Republic and Ukraine.
Down by a 1-2 deficit but Maragyta Pesotska embraces the situation with both hands, taking her game up another level to beat defensive specialist Suh Hyowon 3-2 (7-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6). The result ties the scores up a 1-1 in this best of five affair.
Ito outpaces Szocs to put Japan in control
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Pressure is well and truly beginning to mount on Team Romania now after suffering another loss in their head-to-head encounter with Japan.
19-year-old Mima Ito needed just three games to see off one of the European continent’s finest in Bernadette Szocs (12-10, 11-7, 11-6), moving Japan 2-0 up and in need of just one more win. Romania have a huge mountain to climb!
Tight contest favours hosts
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
European champions Romania made life difficult for the host nation in the match opening doubles contest as Elizabeta Samara and Daniela Monteiro Dodean enjoyed the brighter start. However, with the backing of the home crowd, opponents Miu Hirano and Kasumi Ishikawa won three games on the bounce (7-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5) to put Japan 1-0 on the scoreboard.
Strong start for Team Korea Republic
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
In the quarter-final meeting between Korea Republic and Ukraine it is the former of the two that has gained an early lead on table 1. The highly successful pair of Jeon Jihee and Yang Haeun emerged victorious in the opener, beating Tetyana Bilenko and Ganna Gaponova in straight games (11-6, 11-8, 11-9).
Chinese Taipei 3-2 Hong Kong, China reaction
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
With the contest drawing to a close, here’s some reaction from both teams:
“I think what really worked for me in the deciding match was that I made use of my opponent’s power to my advantage. After losing the first game, I was aggressive and increased the tension of the match. From the second game till the fourth game, I kept the pace of the game at the same level.” Cheng I-Ching
“I was a bit nervous when the game started but generally it was a great experience for me playing against one of the best players in the world. I know I can compete at the top level of the game. I did not want to lose and I am sure I will do better next time.” Lee Ho Ching
Cheng sends Chinese Taipei into the semis!
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
What an amazing three and half hours it has been here at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium! After Hong Kong China took an early lead, it has been all about the persistence of Team Chinese Taipei, who have secured a semi-final spot as Cheng I-Ching came from behind to beat Lee Ho Ching (9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7) to give her team a 3-2 overall win.
Doo hits back as decider looms
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Doo Hoi Kem has put the fans in Tokyo in for a treat as she sent the second quarter-final to a decider match-up, after the Hong Kong China athlete beat Cheng Hsien-Tzu 3-2 (11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 10-12, 11-9) in critical fashion to put the match level at 2-2.
Chen Szu-Yu had earlier given Chinese Taipei the lead by winning against Soo Wai Yam Minnie (12-10, 12-10, 11-9) but now it all rests on the final tie between Cheng I-Ching and Lee Ho Ching. Who will join Team China in the semis?
Cheng levels the score as USA exit
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Chinese Taipei have levelled the score against Team Hong Kong China as Cheng I-Ching beat Doo Hoi Kem in a spectacular four-game tie (7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-3). This puts both sides on a round each, and balances the chances of further qualification.
Meanwhile, the epic run of Team USA comes to an end as Sun Yingsha eliminated Lily Zhang and co with a 3-1 win (8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5) where Zhang tested the teenage Sun, but was simply not enough. China will now await to see who joins them in the semi-finals.
No respite for USA as China within touching distance of semis
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
The top seeds have no plans of slowing things down, as Liu Shiwen sped past Wu Yue in the second match-up between Team China and Team USA in the quarter-final (11-3, 11-8, 11-4).
The newly crowned Women’s World Cup Champion, Liu was impeccable as she won in straight games against Wu who tried her very best, but to no avail. Is there a way back for Team USA?
China and Hong Kong China dominate opening games
Women’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Team USA will have to dig deep into their form as they are up against the best in the business, with Team China winning the first match-up between the two sides. Chen Meng and Sun Yingsha needed no more than three games to see off the challenge of Lily Zhang and Amy Wang (12-10, 12-10, 11-7).
Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei’s women are trying to replicate their male compatriot’s achievement of reaching the semi-final but will need to make a swift comeback after Team Hong Kong China’s Lee Ho Ching and Soo Wai Yam Minnie beat Cheng Hsien-Tzu and Chen Szu-Yu 3-1 (11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8).
Woojin secures semis for Korea Republic
Men’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Jang Woojin wrapped up the second quarter-final of the afternoon, as he handled the challenge of Brazilian Gustavo Tsuboi with poise. Despite the best efforts of Eric Jouti and co, Brazil lost out 1-3 overall.
With the Korea Republic athlete coming out on top in straight games (11-6, 11-1, 11-7) in the final match-up, this sends his team into another semi-final at World Cup, where they now face Team Chinese Taipei.
England exit as Chinese Taipei enter semis
Men’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Chen Chien-An put the final game to rest as he beat Paul Drinkhall in straight games (11-6, 11-8, 11-9) and ended Team England’s campaign one worse than the previous edition.
“It was a very tough match for us. But against Liam Pitchford, I was just focusing on my tactics even when he was leading in most of the games. Now that we are in the semifinal, we just want to focus on every match and not thinking of the final yet. Our target it take each match as they come and also enjoy ourselves” Lin Yun-Ju
The Chinese Taipei athlete took no prisoners and was powerful across all his shots, giving Drinkhall no room to operate with. Over at Table 2 things are spicing up as Brazil’s Eric Jouti has given his side some hope with a win over Korea Republic’s Lee Sangsu, making the tie 2-1 in the Asians favor.
Lin and Jang continue strong starts
Men’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Lin Yun-Ju made Team Chinese Taipei’s lead secure with a 3-0 (11-9, 11-6, 13-11) win over Liam Pitchford, meaning Team England have it all to do in the coming battles to stay in the running for a semi-final spot.
Meanwhile, Korea Republic’s Jang Woojin similarly beat Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy (11-6, 11-8, 11-4) in a swift match-up at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, giving his side a 2-0 overall lead.
Early leads for Asian sides
Men’s Teams – Quarter-finals
Team Chinese Taipei and Team Korea Republic have taken early steps to establish control over their respective quarter-final ties against Team England and Team Brazil.
Liao Cheng-Ting and Chen Chien-An won their doubles match in straight games versus Paul Drinkhall and Tom Jarvis (11-9, 11-8, 11-2). Korea Republic’s duo Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu followed on by defeating Brazilians Gustavo Tsuboi and Eric Jouti, but needed one additional game as the South Americans started to hit back (11-2, 11-4, 6-11, 11-8).
