HAN Ying halted in the semi final on her debut

Dishang 2020 ITTF Women’s World Cup

HAN Ying was halted in the semi final at her debut at the Dishang 2020 ITTF Women’s World Cup. Germany’s player suffered by the hands of World’s no. one CHEN Meng. Chinese star justified her rankings one round latter and clinched the crown at the Weihai Nanhai Olympic Sport Centre.

HAN Ying was one step away from the major upset in the semis (4-11 11-8 11-8 11-9 7-11 9-11 11-4). In the duel that lasted well over an hour and twenty minutes she seized every opportunity occurs and accounted on longer rallies forcing CHEN to finish the points quickly. However her determination was fantastic. Against the world’s best player in the moment she showed no fear. In the sixth game after being in a four point deficit she pushed to decider. With aggressive very early defensive strokes clever placements and successful offensive attacks HAN Ying put the Chinese under enormous pressure again and again.

CHEN won and latter Chines player overcame compatriot SUN Yingsha to clinch the crown. In the match for the third position Japan’s Mima ITO who played excellently against the players with defensive style beat HAN in the match for the third position 4-0 (11-2 11-7 11-9 11-4).

Han Ying was more than satisfied with her performance in Weihai: “I am very happy that I was finally able to take part in the World Cup for the first time and that I did so well straight away. A lot of what I have been training for a long time I implement here. I hope that I will continue to play at this level. “

From the beginning of the tournament HAN Ying currently listed at position 25 overcame number eight CHEN I-Ching of Taiwan 14 Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria 16 JEON Jihee of South Korea and 30 Britt EERLAND Netherland. National coach Jie SCHÖPP praised her player: “Ying has improved from match to match up to the semifinals. The table tennis she showed at her World Cup premiere takes her to a new level. She earned a lot of self-confidence from this tournament. “

As a reward for her strong performances and the two-week quarantine period that was necessary in the run-up to the tournament HAN Ying takes home prize money of $ 14 000. The three-week trip is worthwhile in view of the event calendar that has been reduced to a minimum due to the corona pandemic especially due to the numerous world ranking points that are now being credited to the 37-year-olds. “That can be very important also with regard to the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year” knows the Düsseldorf-based woman who has been in the service of the Polish Champions League winner Tarnobrzeg for eight years.

HAN’s national team colleague Petrissa SOLJA stays in China and competes in two next tournaments ITTF Finals WTT invitation tournament Han Ying w back to her daughter and husband in the North Rhine-Westphalian capital: “After three weeks of traveling for just one tournament I’m happy I’m really excited to see my family again soon. “