WTT Star Contender in London witnessed the premature departure for one of the big title contenders, with Japan’s Mima Ito handed a shock 6-11, 12-10, 5-11, 14-12, 11-9 exit at the hands of Zeng Jian of Singapore. She and partner Hina Hayata were also beaten in the women’s doubles.
Former World No.2 and a winner of five singles titles on the WTT Series, there were big expectations on Ito’s shoulders heading into the week.
Facing off against an opponent she had bested five times in six international encounters, the odds sat comfortably in Ito’s favour. However, matches aren’t won on paper, a point Zeng Jian would prove loud and clear.
Three times Ito would hold match point in game four, putting her Singapore counterpart under the cosh at 9-10, 10-11 and 11-12, but each time Zeng responded, showing ice-cold composure to force a decider.
No.2 seed Ito would then assemble a commanding 6-9 lead in the fifth, needing just two more points to put a troublesome match behind her. Yet, in a late twist of fate, the day would somehow belong to Zeng, who dug deep once again to stage an astonishing comeback, clinching five points on the bounce to take down Ito for the first time since 2016.
“I’m really happy. After all, Ito is an excellent player with many strengths and a wealth of experience. I’m pretty familiar with her. We last played at the Asian Cup, but I had more losses against her in our previous few encounters. Before the match, I just wanted to go in and challenge her, to put up a good fight. That helped me stay determined and play well. No matter whom I face next, I’ll give it my all.” – Zeng Jian
If you thought the three match point saves from Zeng Jian were impressive, Kay Stumper took things to another level, one-upping Zeng’s efforts with four match point saves.
Trailing former World No.1 Dimitrij Ovtcharov by a two-game deficit, a tall task soon looked insurmountable for Stumper as Ovtcharov went on to open up a 6-10 lead in game four.
However, a remarkable turnaround would follow. Stumper would deny Dima all four opportunities before kicking on to steal the W in five 9-11, 4-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-9., leaving all in attendance at Copper Box Arena with their jaws on the floor.
Meanwhile, qualifiers Shi Xunyao-Zhang Xiangyu of China shocked fans once again at Copper Box Arena, toppling second seeded Koreans Doo Hoi Kem-Zhu Chengzhu to reach the Women’s Doubles Final, with a 11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8 win.
Chinese pairing Shi-Zhang, who are competing in their first WTT Series event together in London, had already claimed a stellar victory in the previous round, where they dispatched third seeds Adina Diaconu-Maria Xiao in three straight games.
The wonder duo have another tough battle ahead of them, however, as they prepare for an all-Chinese Final against fourth seeds Qin Yuxuan-Zong Geman, the latter having defeated the Japanese duo of Hina Hayata-Mima Ito 5-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-8.
Elsewhere, fellow qualifiers Kuo Guan-Hong-Feng Yi-Hsin made it safely through to the Men’s Doubles Final, besting English wildcards Tom Jarvis-Connor Green in three games 13-11, 11-9, 11-9. Kuo-Feng are due to meet top seeds Wong Chun Ting-Chan Baldwin in the title battle on Saturday evening.
Over in the Women’s Singles, Cheng I-Ching survived a scare against qualifier Elena Zaharia, the former triumphing in five tight games 9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6.
Zaharia, who had upset Ng Wing Lam on Thursday evening, displayed fantastic table tennis throughout the match, leading ninth seed Cheng 2-1 in games.
But in a burst of brilliance, World No.16 Cheng bounced back, winning two games on the trot to seize the victory and book her spot in the Round of 16 alongside fifth seed Shin Yubin.
World No.11 Honoka Hashimoto also managed to hold her nerve in a thrilling battle against compatriot Yuna Ojio, the former clinching victory in five games 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2.
There was an upset in the Men’s Singles discipline, with Indian ace Harmeet Desai overcoming 11th seed Hwan Bae without dropping a single game, winning 11-8, 13-11, 11-4.
