On Sunday 26th August 2012 Liu Shiwen and Chen Meng faced one another in the Women's Singles Final at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Harmony China Open in Suzhou, China.
It was the speed and domination of Liu SHiwen and Chen Meng that booked the Chinese stars a place in the Women's Singles Final. Both players recorded straight set victories over their opponents with impressive high quality table tennis.
China's Liu Shiwen (no.1 seed) defeated Spain’s Shen Yanfei (no.4 seed) with scores 11-3, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 China's Chen Meng (no.7 seed) eliminated the hopes of compatriot Fan Ying (no.3 seed) with scores 13-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8.
Chen Meng - Photo by: womensportreport.com
In the opening set of this epic final, the young rising star Chen Meng dominated and won with a close score 12-10. Liu quickly responded and won the second set 11-7.
The favorite Liu Shiwen maintained momentum and won the third set 11-5 to take a 2-1 lead. In the fourth set Chen raced into a 6-1 lead making no unforced errors. Unfortunately for Chen her concentration seemed to drop. As the set progressed, Liu managed to gather points and leveled at 7-7. Chen with two serves at 9-9, Liu missed a backhand flick and produced a superb forehand to level the match up at 2 games each!
A similar approach was seen in the fifth set whereby young Chen Meng raced into a 8-4 lead. Liu started to make a comeback utilizing here impressive backhand topspin to her advantage to 9-9. Liu mentally not letting a set slip. Liu Shiwen to serve at 9-9. Liu showing her experience and now had match point at 10-9. A backhand miss by Liu and it was back level at deuce, 10-10. After two exceptional rallies Chen Meng took the fifth set 12-10! Chen Meng the 18 year old in the biggest match up of her life was now in a 3-2 lead.
Liu Shiwen turned the tied in the sixth set and it was her turn to gain a lead in the opening stages by 6 points to 3. Chen began to put some pressure on using her backhand into the wide corners of Liu and then sending a forehand cross court. Liu with a 7-6 advantage took a time out and what a great time out it was indeed as Shiwen put the match into the seventh set with points 11-8!
The match now tied into the seventh and final set, the pressure mounted on both players, who would prevail the crowd asked? The youngster or the experience? Mid way in the final set, saw one of the biggest rallies of the tournament going to the young Chen Meng! The match was now tied at 7-7. Chen continued with her incredible performance and was in a 9 point to 7 advantage. Chen Meng now with three match points! Only one match point was needed as a superb forehand finish by Chen made her crowned Champion of the of the Women's Singles GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Harmony China Open Title!
As the commentator kindly put, "remember the name, Chen Meng".
The Men's Singles Final will now commence between Wang Liqin and Hao Shuai! Be sure to watch it live here.
Source: ITTF
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It was the speed and domination of Liu SHiwen and Chen Meng that booked the Chinese stars a place in the Women's Singles Final. Both players recorded straight set victories over their opponents with impressive high quality table tennis.
China's Liu Shiwen (no.1 seed) defeated Spain’s Shen Yanfei (no.4 seed) with scores 11-3, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 China's Chen Meng (no.7 seed) eliminated the hopes of compatriot Fan Ying (no.3 seed) with scores 13-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8.
Chen Meng - Photo by: womensportreport.com
In the opening set of this epic final, the young rising star Chen Meng dominated and won with a close score 12-10. Liu quickly responded and won the second set 11-7.
The favorite Liu Shiwen maintained momentum and won the third set 11-5 to take a 2-1 lead. In the fourth set Chen raced into a 6-1 lead making no unforced errors. Unfortunately for Chen her concentration seemed to drop. As the set progressed, Liu managed to gather points and leveled at 7-7. Chen with two serves at 9-9, Liu missed a backhand flick and produced a superb forehand to level the match up at 2 games each!
A similar approach was seen in the fifth set whereby young Chen Meng raced into a 8-4 lead. Liu started to make a comeback utilizing here impressive backhand topspin to her advantage to 9-9. Liu mentally not letting a set slip. Liu Shiwen to serve at 9-9. Liu showing her experience and now had match point at 10-9. A backhand miss by Liu and it was back level at deuce, 10-10. After two exceptional rallies Chen Meng took the fifth set 12-10! Chen Meng the 18 year old in the biggest match up of her life was now in a 3-2 lead.
Liu Shiwen turned the tied in the sixth set and it was her turn to gain a lead in the opening stages by 6 points to 3. Chen began to put some pressure on using her backhand into the wide corners of Liu and then sending a forehand cross court. Liu with a 7-6 advantage took a time out and what a great time out it was indeed as Shiwen put the match into the seventh set with points 11-8!
The match now tied into the seventh and final set, the pressure mounted on both players, who would prevail the crowd asked? The youngster or the experience? Mid way in the final set, saw one of the biggest rallies of the tournament going to the young Chen Meng! The match was now tied at 7-7. Chen continued with her incredible performance and was in a 9 point to 7 advantage. Chen Meng now with three match points! Only one match point was needed as a superb forehand finish by Chen made her crowned Champion of the of the Women's Singles GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Harmony China Open Title!
As the commentator kindly put, "remember the name, Chen Meng".
The Men's Singles Final will now commence between Wang Liqin and Hao Shuai! Be sure to watch it live here.
Source: ITTF
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