Wang Yidi of China in action during her women's singles quarterfinal against Shin Yu-bin of South Korea at the Asian Cup in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)
Wang Yidi advanced to the women's singles semifinals at the Table Tennis Asian Cup, but Chinese male paddlers' hope for a 13th consecutive title was smashed after Wang Chuqin's exit.
BANGKOK, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- China's Wang Yidi secured her berth in the women's singles semifinals while her compatriot Wang Chuqin was eliminated in the men's quarterfinals of the 2022 Table Tennis Asian Cup here on Friday.
Top-seeded Wang Yidi, 25, came back from one set down to beat 18-year-old South Korean Shin Yu-bin 7-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-3, 11-5.
"In the beginning I felt a bit tense, but I recovered from the second set. Shin was a competitive and unfamiliar player for me, and I was prepared for the difficulties. Tomorrow's rival will be stronger. I hope I can make full preparations and go all out," said Wang.
In the semifinal, Wang will meet Japan's Hina Hayata, who edged Doo Hoi Kem of Hong Kong, China in full sets.
Japan's Mima Ito swept Jeon Ji-hee of South Korea 4-0 to meet India's Manika Batra, who defeated Chen Szu-Yu of Chinese Taipei 4-3.
Wang Chuqin of China reacts during his men's singles quarterfinal against Lim Jong-hoon of South Korea at the Asian Cup in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)
Meanwhile, Chinese male paddlers' woes continued in Bangkok. A day after Lin Gaoyuan's first-round exit, world No. 3 Wang Chuqin crashed out as well following a 6-11, 11-9, 5-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9, 10-12 defeat to South Korea's Lim Jong-hoon, a result that saw China's 12 consecutive title-winning run in the men's category of the tournament snapped.
Lim will next face world No. 26 Yukiya Uda of Japan, who upset Wong Chun Ting of Hong Kong, China 4-3.
Other men's singles semifinalists are Chuang Chih-Yuan of Chinese Taipei and Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto.
Last held in 2019 before a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Cup features the men's and women's singles events, with a maximum of two players from a member association in each category.
Both the semifinals and finals will take place on Saturday.
