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Saturday, August 24, 2019, 12:14
Gu, Mu to fight for ITTF Czech Open title against Japan duo
By Xinhua
Saturday, August 24, 2019, 12:14 By Xinhua

Gu Yuting (left)/Mu Zi of China compete during a women's doubles quarterfinal match against Lin Ye/Yu Mengyu (both not in frame) of Singapore at the 2019 ITTF Czech Open in Olomouc, the Czech Republic, Aug 23, 2019. (SHAN YUQI / XINHUA)

OLOMOUC — The Chinese pair Gu Yuting/Mu Zi is now one step away from the top podium after defeating Chen Szu-Yu/Cheng Hsein-Tzu from Chinese Taipei 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 here on Friday in the women's doubles semifinal of ITTF World Tour Czech Open.

After ejecting top seed Miyuu Kihara/Miyu Nagasaki from Japan on Thursday, the Chinese duo knocked down Yu Mengyu/Lin Ye from Singapore in the quarterfinal, and then the Chinese Taipei pair in the semi to advance to the final.

We're feeling more comfortable today. Our team chemistry is getting better and better and our partnership is improving ...

Gu Yuting and Mu Zi, Chinese table tennis duo

As the last tournament champion of Bulgaria Open, Gu/Mu are now embracing the idea that they could take the whole thing. Their final opponent on Saturday is the third-seeded Hirano Miu/Shibata Saki from Japan.

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"We're feeling more comfortable today. Our team chemistry is getting better and better and our partnership is improving. Today it was a clean win for us. We will prepare for the final tomorrow and we will try our best," said Gu.

It was a major shock for all fans in the crowd as Hirano Miu/Shibata Saki were pushed to the limit in a five-game crunch match-up with Poland's Natalia Bajor/Natalia Partyka.

The Polish duo showed immense resistance against the Japanese, matching them shot for shot in each game. During the decider, the Polish were up by 9-6 before Hirano/Shibata grounded out a very important win 9-11, 11-2, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9.

Chen Xingtong of China returns the ball to Mima Ito of Japan (not in frame) during a women's singles round of 16 match at the 2019 ITTF Czech Open in Olomouc, the Czech Republic, on Aug 23, 2019. (SHAN YUQI / XINHUA)

In the women's singles, Feng Yalan, He Zhuojia, Chen Xingtong and Liu Weishan outplayed their opponents to step forward to the quarters.

The Chinese pair Ma Te/Wu Yang, the conqueror of top seed Lee Sangsu/Jeon Jihee from South Korea on Thursday, lost out to another South Korean duo Cho Daeseong/Shin Yubin in a close encounter 4-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-7 in the mixed doubles.

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The battle for the final spot in the men's singles quarterfinal raised some eyebrows. Alexander Shibaev from Russia took the win over China's Ma Te 11-5, 15-13, 12-10, 11-9. Ma kept it close, but Shibaev was always a step ahead.

The legendary German player Timo Boll returned to World Tour action with an emphatic win over Japanese Yukiya Uda in 11-7, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7. The 38-year-old German was very efficient with his service. The four-game match spanned just under 30 minutes.


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