China dominates the quarter-finals of Austrian Open 2011 – Table Tennis Update
China’s dominance was hardly tested at the Austrian Open as it emerged to be on top at the quarter-final stage of the Austrian Open 2011. The top four players to make their way through to the next round include Zhang Jike, Ma Lin, Ma Long and Xu Xin. The
proceedings on September 24 at the Werner Schlager Academy went as expected without any surprises.
Ma Lin showed his class once again as he dominated over the Korean player Oh Sang Eun and won the game without any difficulties. Lin won the best of seven games in the four straight sets which made his total to 12 wins over the Korean during the world ranking
events. Sang Eun has also won over the Chinese star during the Japan Open 2003 and Volkswagen Pro Tour in Hong Kong 2006 as he dominated in the Grand Finals.
The reigning World Champion of table tennis Zhang Jike did not have any difficulty as he cruised to the semi-finals by defeating Jun Mizutani of Japan. The game prolonged for five sets with Jike winning the first two games as Mizutani fought back as scores
at the end of three sets were: 11-8, 11-7 and 7-11. Zhang won the fourth set and only needed one more to secure his position at the semi-finals as he claimed the fifth set after a close match. The fourth and fifth set went in favour of the Chinese player and
he continued his winning streak, scores for the last two sets were: 11-8 and 14-12.
Xu Xin had to fight hard and really earn a spot at the semi-final as he was tested by Hao Shuai as the game extended till the last set. Hao Shuai has defeated Xu Xin previously during the Qatar Open in Doha. The Austrian Open was the ideal opportunity for
Xin to seek his revenge as he won the game with following scores: 4-11, 11-6, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, and 11-4.
Russian player Alexey Smirnov lost to Ma Long in the quarter-finals in five sets as Long will be facing his compatriot Xu Xin in the semi-finals after winning the game with: 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5 and 11-5. Zhang Jike will also have to face his countryman
Ma Lin in the next round of the Austrian Open 2011 organised at the Werner Schlager Academy.
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