Beijing time on November 19, the 2022 Table Tennis Asian Cup held a third-day competition in Bangkok, Thailand. In the men's singles semi-finals, Zhang Benzhiwa performed well, defeating 41-year-old Chinese Taipei veteran Zhuang Zhiyuan 4-1, and advanced to the finals. They will compete with South Korean player Lin Zhongxun for the championship, who defeated Yukiya Uda 4-1. In the women's singles semi-finals, Ito Mima defeated Batra 4-2 and will compete with Wang Yidi .
19-year-old Zhang Benzhihe faced 41-year-old Chinese Taipei veteran Zhuang Zhiyuan in the semi-finals. Both sides have fought 6 times in the past, and each won 3 times to tie. In the first game, Zhang Benzhihe led 4-0, and Zhuang Zhiyuan tied 5. At a stalemate, Zhuang Zhiyuan made a mistake in receiving the serve, and Zhang Benzhihe got the game point 10-7 and took the lead 11-8.
In the second game, Zhang Benzhihe fell behind 0-3 from the top, and the number one Japanese player returned to the net in the stalemate, while Zhuang Zhiyuan maintained the advantage 9-6. Although Zhang Benzhihe scored three points in a row, he made consecutive mistakes since then, and Zhuang Zhiyuan won the game 11-9. In the third game, Zhang Benzhihe had a full firepower and started with a strong 7-1. Zhuang Zhiyuan had no choice but to win 11-1.
In the fourth game, the two players played in a stalemate, and the scores rose alternately. Zhuang Zhiyuan chased the score to 8-9, and Zhang Benzhihe requested a timeout. Afterwards, the Japanese player withstood the pressure and won 11-9.
In the fifth game, Zhang Benzhihe took the lead 4-3. Zhuang Zhiyuan took the timeout and chased two points in a row. After the tie of 5, the two continued to fight. After the tie of 9, Zhang Benzhihe wasted two match points in succession and saved one game point, winning 14-12, thus defeating Zhuang Zhiyuan 4-1 and advancing to the finals.
Another men's singles semi-final, South Korean player Lin Jong-hoon performed well, defeating Japanese player Yukiya Uda 4-1. The specific scores were 11-9, 6-11, 12-10, 11-5, and 11-4. In this way, Zhang Benzhihe will compete with Lin Zhongxun for the men's singles championship.
Women's Singles semi-finals, Japanese star Mima Ito faced Indian player Batra, who eliminated Chen Xingtong , which should not be underestimated. In this game, Mima Ito got into the form quickly and took the lead 11-8. Batra was not willing to be outdone. After a brief stalemate in the second game, the score was widened and 11-7 was won.
In the following two games, Ito Mima regained her touch and won 11-7 and 11-6, leading 3-1 in the game. In the fifth game, Ito Mima led 5-4, and Batra requested a timeout. Next, the two of them firmly grasped the score. After 7 draws, Batra scored a small climax and recovered the game 11-8.
In the sixth game, Ito Mima adjusted in time. She strengthened her attack on the top three boards, and her serve also changed. After a brief stalemate, the score opened 7-4. Next, the Japanese star won the match point 10-6, Batra returned the ball with his backhand and Mima Ito secured the victory 11-7, thus defeating Batra 4-2, advancing to the finals, and will compete with Wang Yidi for the championship.
