Wang Manyu hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match between Wang Manyu of China and Hayata Hina of Japan at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
FRANKFURT, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's table tennis veteran Ma Long won the "battle of generations" against the French rising star Felix Lebrun while his compatriot Wang Manyu booked a final spot despite a left knee injury on Saturday at WTT Champions Frankfurt.
35-year-old Ma secured his ticket to Sunday's final with a powerful demonstration of his abilities against European Games champion Felix Lebrun, beating the 17-year-old 11-8, 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8.
"The players are different only in styles or levels, not in ages. You can see it's not an easy game today. Felix is among the top ten around the world not by luck, but his power and quality. He played so fast and I believe most of the players would have the same confusion as me in the contest against him," said the Olympic champion.
Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei has taken down one of the big title contenders, showing no mercy in his showdown with second seed Wang Chuqin 11-7, 11-13, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-2.
Third seeded Wang Manyu is through to the women's singles final after displaying incredible mental strength to battle through a major injury setback in her semifinal showdown with Hina Hayata of Japan 11-8, 11-2, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7.
"I did not let go of the fight even when I was 3-8 behind in the first game. I just focused on every single point and it was important to win that game. At the beginning of the third game, I twisted my knee a little in the middle of a rally. After the medical break I managed to focus on each game again," said Wang.
"It happens from time to time in the training as well, so it's nothing new for me. To win the match despite injury is also a challenge I need to face," added Wang.
Awaiting Wang Manyu in Sunday's final is Wang Yidi who shocked her Chinese compatriot, top-seeded Sun Yingsha 4-2 (11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7).
Celebrating her 23rd birthday on Saturday, Sun had prepared to pick up an extra present at Swwag Energy Arena, having beaten Wang Yidi 4-1 earlier this year in the women's singles final at WTT Champions Xinxiang. However, Wang produced one of her best performances en route to the final. ■
Wang Manyu hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match between Wang Manyu of China and Hayata Hina of Japan at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Wang Manyu serves during the women's singles semifinal match between Wang Manyu of China and Hayata Hina of Japan at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Hayata Hina serves during the women's singles semifinal match between Wang Manyu of China and Hayata Hina of Japan at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Hayata Hina hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match between Wang Manyu of China and Hayata Hina of Japan at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Wang Chuqin of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Wang Chuqin (L) of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Wang Chuqin of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Wang Chuqin of China at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Ma Long of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal against Felix Lebrun of France at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Ma Long of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal against Felix Lebrun of France at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Felix Lebrun of France hits a return during the men's singles semifinal against Ma Long of China at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Felix Lebrun of France hits a return during the men's singles semifinal against Ma Long of China at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Ma Long of China warms up before the men's singles semifinal against Felix Lebrun of France at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Felix Lebrun (R) of France hits a return during during the men's singles semifinal against Ma Long of China at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Wang Yidi of China hits a return during the women's singles Semifinal match against Sun Yingsha of China at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Wang Yidi of China hits a return during the women's singles Semifinal match against Sun Yingsha of China at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Sun Yingsha of China hits a return during the women's singles Semifinal match against Wang Yidi of China at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
Sun Yingsha of China hits a return during the women's singles Semifinal match against Wang Yidi of China at the WTT Champions Frankfurt 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)
