Chinese rising star reaches WTT Smash final, eyes first title
Chen, 19, beat compatriot Kuai Man 4-3 in her first semi-final, winning 6-11, 11-3, 3-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-1, 11-9 in 53 minutes. Chen levelled the match on three occasions and came from behind in the tense decider.
It was the rising star's second win in as many matches against world No 5 Kuai.
'I had played against Kuai so many times before and we were on a similar level,' Chen said. 'I guess I had a bit more luck today, and I am thrilled right now.
'[My final opponent] Zhu is more experienced. I lost 3-0 to her in Taiyuan, so obviously I am the underdog here and I will do the best I can to challenge her.'
Zhu Yuling has her sights on a first title after reaching the WTT Smash final. Photo: Handout
Chen's run – which included a stunning 3-1 win over Sun Yingsha and a victory from 3-0 down to eliminate Japan's Hina Hayata – in Las Vegas sparked an off-field saga back home.
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There will be a new women's champion at the World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash after China's Chen Yi and Zhu Yuling of Macau reached the final on Saturday. Chen, 19, beat compatriot Kuai Man 4-3 in her first semi-final, winning 6-11, 11-3, 3-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-1, 11-9 in 53 minutes. Chen levelled the match on three occasions and came from behind in the tense decider. It was the rising star's second win in as many matches against world No 5 Kuai. 'I had played against Kuai so many times before and we were on a similar level,' Chen said. 'I guess I had a bit more luck today, and I am thrilled right now. '[My final opponent] Zhu is more experienced. I lost 3-0 to her in Taiyuan, so obviously I am the underdog here and I will do the best I can to challenge her.' Zhu Yuling has her sights on a first title after reaching the WTT Smash final. Photo: Handout Chen's run – which included a stunning 3-1 win over Sun Yingsha and a victory from 3-0 down to eliminate Japan's Hina Hayata – in Las Vegas sparked an off-field saga back home.
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