Han Ying, defensive skills safe and secure (Photo: Rémy Gros)
A first appearance in the tournament, Germany’s Han Ying emerged the surprise name to secure a semi-final place at the Dishang 2020 Women’s World Cup, when play closed on Monday 9th November in Weihai,
The 37-year-old proved too secure for Austria’s Sofia Polcanova, the no.7 seed (11-7, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6) and for Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, the no.4 seed (11-6, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7).
Also upsetting the seeding was Lily Zhang from the United States.
One year ago at the Uncle Pop Women’s World Cup in Chengdu, in the bronze medal contest, Lily Zhang had suffered at the hands of Singapore’s Feng Tianwei (11-6, 11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 15-13). In the opening round in Weihai, she reversed the decision; the no.16 seed, she accounted for Feng Tianwei, the no.5 seed, in six games (11-7, 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 13-11).
Alas for the 24-year-old one round later she was beaten by China’s Chen Meng, the top seed (11-8, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9).
At the semi-final stage Chen Meng faces Han Ying, Japan’s Mima Ito confronts China’s Sun Yingsha; play concludes on Tuesday 10th November.
Monday 9th November
Round One
Chen Meng (CHN) bt Bernadette Szocs (ROU) 11-6, 11-1, 11-3, 11-7
Lily Zhang (USA) bt Feng Tianwei (SGP) 11-7, 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 13-11
Han Ying (GER) bt Sofia Polcanova (AUT) 11-7, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6
Cheng I-Ching (TPE) bt Wu Yue (USA) 11-5, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3
Sun Yingsha (CHN) bt Adriana Diaz (PUR) 11-5, 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7
Kasumi Ishikawa (JPN) bt Suh Hyowon (KOR) 11-8, 11-7, 11-5, 11-4
Chen Szu-Yu (TPE) bt Doo Hoi Kem (HKG) 8-11, 11-4, 3-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-7, 11-6
Mima Ito (JPN) bt Jeon Jihee (KOR) 6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 13-11, 11-7
Quarter-Finals
Chen Meng (CHN) bt Lily Zhang (USA) 11-8, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9
Han Ying (GER) bt Cheng I-Ching (TPE) 12-10, 3-11, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-6
Sun Yingsha (CHN) bt Kasumi Ishikawa (JPN) 11-6, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7
Mima Ito (JPN) bt Chen Szu-Yu (TPE) 11-6, 11-6, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5