China and Japan, the respective top two seeds in the Girls’ Team event at the Wisdom 2014 World Junior Championships booked their places in the final, following emphatic penultimate round victories in Shanghai’s Minhang Gymnasiun on the late afternoon of Tuesday 2^nd December.

Intentions were made clear, crystal clear and there was no be no hint of charity; there was a job to be done, it was completed in the most efficient and professional manner.

Three-nil victory margins were the order of proceedings as China beat Hong Kong and Japan ended the aspirations of the United States.

One Game Surrendered

The only player to experience any problems as China overcame Hong Kong was Chen Xingtong in the second match of the duel; she needed four games to beat Minnie Soo Wai Yam (11-5, 11-2, 9-11, 11-7) but that is as near as Hong Kong came to causing an upset.

“I have played against Soo Wai Yam many times and I have always won”, said Chen Xingtong. “The most recent time we played was very tough, so today I was very focused; she had some problems reading my services, especially when I played with sidespin.”

Comfortable Wins

Success for Chen Xingtong came after Liu Gaoyang had beaten Liu Qi in the opening match of the fixture (11-7, 11-1, 11-8) and before Wang Manyu ended proceedings by overcoming Lam Yee Lok (11-7, 11-2, 11-7).

Defence Secure

Meanwhile, on the adjacent table, Japan was equally unrepentant against the United States with the elegant defensive skills of Hitomi Sato particularly impressive.

She accounted for Lily Zhang (11-5, 11-2, 11-3) after Miu Hirano had given Japan the ideal start by overcoming Prachi Jha (17-15, 11-7, 11-5).

Confident

“It was not two difficult and especially after I won the first two games I felt confident”, said Hitomi Sato. “I had played against Lily in Korea earlier this year and won so I knew her style of play; today my backspin play was safe and also when required to attack I felt in a good shape.”

Victory for Hitomi Sato gave Japan a two-nil lead; soon after matters came to a conclusion. Miyu Maeda beat Crystal Wang in three straight games to seal the victory (11-9, 11-5, 11-6).

The Final

The final will be played at 2.00pm (local time) on Wednesday 3^rd December.

Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall

Photo By: Rémy Gros