Ding Ning of China reacts against Ito Mima of Japan during the women's singles semifinal match at 2020 ITTF Qatar Open in Doha, Qatar on March 7, 2020. (Xinhua/Nikku)
Olympic and world champion Ding Ning suffered a shock defeat to Japan's Ito Mima at the ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open.
DOHA, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Olympic and world champion Ding Ning was the big name to be knocked out on Saturday after losing her women's singles semifinal to Japan's Ito Mima at the ITTF World Tour Platinum Qatar Open.
The 29-year-old Chinese suffered an astonishing defeat, 11-6, 14-12, 11-0, 11-5, sending the Japanese sensation, just 19 years old, into the final.
Ito will vie for the title against China's Chen Meng, the current world No. 1 who saw off 21-year-old compatriot Wang Manyu 10-12, 11-7, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5, 11-4 to reach the final.
On the men's part, China secured three semifinal spots, as top-ranked Fan Zhendong and second seed Xu Xin both made it through with victories over European opponents while Wang Chuqin triumphed over Liang Jingkun in an all-Chinese matchup.
England's Liam Pitchford came out the only non-Chinese semifinalist, who overcame Chinese Taipei veteran Chuang Chih-Yuan in four straight sets in Saturday's quarterfinals.
Mizutani Jun (L)/Ito Mima of Japan celebrate after the mixed doubles final match against Wang Chuqin/Sun Yingsha of China at 2020 ITTF Qatar Open in Doha, Qatar on March 7, 2020. (Xinhua/Nikku)
In the doubles play on Saturday, Japanese pair Mizutani Jun and Ito Mima rallied past their Chinese rivals Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 15-13 to lift the mixed doubles trophy.
Ma Long/Xu Xin and Wang Manyu/Zhu Yuling of China collected titles at the other two doubles events, as the men's duo beat England's Paul Drinkhall/Liam Pitchford and Wang/Zhu won over Japan's Kihara Miyuu/Nagasaki Miyu, both in 3-1. ■
