March 31, 2022 WTT Star Challenge Doha
Women's Singles Final: Han Ying vs Miyu Kihara
The 38-year-old sharpshooter veteran, facing the 17-year-old youngster, no matter who wins the championship, will achieve a good story.
In the first set, Han Ying won the first set 0-4, 3-4, 3-5, 4-6, 6-6, 7-7, 10-8 (set points), 11-8 reverse.
Kihara Miyu can't say that she doesn't play well, and there are wonderful balls, but it is difficult to penetrate Han Ying's defense.
The time has come to test the little girl's mentality...
In the second set, Han Ying 1-1, 2-2, 6-3, 7-4, 7-7, 10-7 (innings), 10-9, requested a timeout.
Miyu Kihara scored five consecutive points to win back a set 12-10, and the two sides fought 1-1.
In the third set, Han Ying drew 0-2, 2-5, 5-5. Miyu Kihara scored another scoring lucky ball, and the first set had one exactly the same.
Han Ying won the round 5-7, 6-8, 7-9, 10-9 (set points), 11-9 reversal, leading 2:1.
To be honest, the way of playing is really beautiful. "Cutting and turning attack", rigid and soft, has the charm of "Tai Chi". Watching Han Ying play is really a treat. If there is only offensive play on that day, that is the biggest loss in table tennis.
In the fourth set, Han Ying won another set 4-1, 9-2, 10-3 (set points), 11-3, and led 3:1
In the fifth set, Miyu Kihara started 3-0, and then lost four consecutive points, forcing Miyu Kihara to request a timeout.
Han Ying 4-4, 6-4, 6-7, 7-7 draw.
Miyo Kihara won the set point 10-7 and pulled back a set 11-7 to make it 2-3.
Han Ying's physical fitness dropped a bit in the second half of the game, and she didn't run as aggressively as before
In the sixth game, Han Ying must grit her teeth and strive to win this round, otherwise it will drag on to the decider, which is very dangerous.
Miyu Kihara led 3-0, 5-1.
Miyo Kihara won another set 5-2, 10-3 (set points), 11-3, and the two sides fought 3:3.
At 10-3, Han Ying's feet slid down and sat down on the ground.
Han Ying took a break between rounds and requested a medical suspension. After a short period of treatment, return to the arena and play the game of the decider.
In the end, Han Ying had to choose to withdraw from the game when she was 1-4 in the decider.
The schedule is too dense and unfriendly to veterans.
In particular, the semi-finals and the final are held on the same day, and it is a "seven-game four-win system". Han Ying played six innings in the semifinals, and the final was fought to the decider.
After the game, Han Ying communicated with the coach, at first the ankle was a little uncomfortable, and then slipped a little, and then continued to play it is estimated to be "wasted". Veteran Han Ying's fighting spirit is worth encouraging.
Young general Miyu Kihara also deserves applause. She did not collapse in the situation of falling behind 1:3 in the big score, which is too rare for the youngster.
She has won the women's doubles several times, and this time in the Star Challenge women's singles championship, which shows that she has grown into one of the main opponents of the national table tennis women's team.