Other Events | 11 Nov 2018

World no. 80 conquered Austrian Open in Linz

Photo: Courtesy ITTF

China’s LIANG Jingkun beat his compatriot XU Xin in the final of the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Liebherr Austrian Open

China’s LIANG Jingkun made history by winning the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum Liebherr Austrian Open in Linz, being first World no. 80 (he went through the qualifying tournament) on the top of the podium at this event. The 22-year-old beat two top seeds in the last two clashes, his compatriots FAN Zhendong (world no. 1) in the semis and XU Xin (no. 2) in the gold medal contest. XU, who defeated Liam PITCHFORD from England in straight games of the semis, lost the final match after full seven sets.

“I am very satisfied with my performance. It is my first victory on the ITTF World Tour and a great reward for all the work. Every player in Chinese national team is capable of winning such a tournament. I am glad that I could come out as the champion. Linz will have a special place in my heart; I must thank the crowd for the great support,” stated LIANG Jingkun for the ITTF website.

The Women’s Singles event saw all-Chinese semi-finals and CHEN Meng and WANG Manyu as the winners. They eliminated top seeded names, ZHU Yuling (in the semis) and DING Ning (quarter-finals) respectively. CHEN was unstoppable in the gold medal contest, winning it in straight games.

Crowns in both double events belonged to Japan. Masataka MORIZONO and Yuya OSHIMA from Japan won gold in the Men’s Doubles, as they overcame Korea’s JEOUNG Youngsik and LEE Sangsu, while Hina HAYATA and Mima ITO prevailed against China’s CHEN Xingtong and SUN Yingsha.

XU Xin and LIU Shiwen from China are the winners of Mixed Doubles. They beat top seeds CHEN Chien-An and CHENG I-Ching from Chinese Taipei.