We now know the identity of our 4 potential Olympic men's singles gold medalists. The current Olympic Zhang Jike did what he was expected to do, beating Koki Niwa comfortably 4-1. He will be facing a surprise semi finalist Vladimir Samsonov.
vladimirsamsonovovtcharovrio2016.jpg

Vladimir Samsonov victorious over Ovtcharov! - Via ITTF Flickr

Samsonov shocked the world in his quarter final match against European champion Dimitrij Ovtcharov. The Belorussians victory was in serious doubt in the 2nd set where he needed an injury time out for an apparent rib problem. This wouldn't stop him however, as he came through in the end. Winning 4-2 in a pulsating match that had the Brazilian crowd on their feet.

Jun Mizutani was also victorious. He beat Portuguese number 1 Marcos Frietas. Both players were on top form but in the end Mizutani lived up to his ranking winning 4-2. The Japanese mans prize will be a semi final match against the current world number 1, and world champion Ma Long. Fun Fact: Jun Mizutani is the first Japanese player ever to reach the semi finals of an Olympics Games.

Ma Long looked like an unstoppable force in his quarter final match against Nigeria's Quadri Aruna. Aruna has been on the form of his life himself, upsetting both Chuang Chih-yuan and Timo Boll in previous rounds. This was one step too far however. Ma Long dominating in a, very one sided, 4-0 demolition job.

All 4 semi finals promise to be very interesting viewing. Will we get to see the match to finally conclude the Ma Long, Zhang Jike who's better debate? Or will we see the first non Chinese player in the Olympic final since Ryu Seung Min way back in 2004?

Full details and times of both semi final match ups can be seen below:

Women's semi final, and final play today (10th August)
Men's semi final, and final play tomorrow (11th August)

Semi Final Schedule - Men

Time displayed in Rio

Men Matches take place tomorrow 11th August 2016

Ma Long vs Jun Mizutani (10am)
Zhang Jike vs Vladimir Samsonov (11am)
Men's Singles Bronze Medal Match (8.30pm)
Men's Singles Gold Medal Match (9.30pm)

Women Matches take place today 10th August 2016

Li Xiaoxia 4-0 Ai Fukuhara
Ding Ning 4-1 Kim Song
Ai Fukuhara vs Kim Song Women's Singles Bronze Medal Match (8.30pm)
Li Xiaoxia vs Ding Ning Women's Singles Gold Medal Match (9.30pm)


Catch up on the latest highlights between Vladimir Samsonov and Dimitrij Ovtcharov in the quarter final below:



For all the latest news, results and live streams from the Rio Olympics click here. To catch up on all the latest highlighted matches from the Olympic Games visit the TTD user generated video topic.

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Written by: Thomas Jeffcott
TableTennisDaily
 
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