Chen Xingtong of China reacts during a women's singles semifinal match against her compatriot Feng Yalan at the 2019 ITTF Czech Open in Olomouc, the Czech Republic, Aug. 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)
OLOMOUC, Czech Republic, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's table tennis player Chen Xingtong has reached the women's singles final by winning against compatriot Feng Yalan here on Sunday at ITTF World Tour Czech Open.
Chen now has a straight view of the title after a 4-1 win (11-4, 11-3, 15-13, 7-11, 11-9) in the semi. The third set was especially significant when she came back from being 8-10 down to win 15-13.
"We were really close in the third set. I didn't have to change my tactics. It was more about stay calm and focus on the game. After I took the set I was sure that I will win the whole match," said Chen.
In the other semi, the third seed Miu Hirano won the Japanese domestic clash, seeing off her compatriot Kasumi Ishikawa and taking herself into the final.
It was a convincing performance after being pushed by Ishikawa who seemed to know where exactly on the table Hirano would challenge her. This gave Ishikawa the opportunity to level the score early on.
But Hirano had no plans of letting that pattern take over. She propelled forward with powerful forehand shots, sealing the victory 4-1 (11-6, 4-11, 11-6, 14-12, 11-6) and securing the berth of the final.
In the last ITTF tournament of Bulgaria Open, Chen took down Hirano in the second round and claimed the title in the end. She will meet the challenge from the Japanese again in the Czech Open final.
