Chen Meng of China reacts in the table tennis women's team final match of the Hangzhou Asiad in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, Sept. 26, 2023. [Photo/VCG]
China defeated Japan 3-0 to clinch its fifth consecutive women's team title in table tennis at the Hangzhou Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province on Tuesday.
China swept aside Thailand 3-0 to advance into the final, while Japan triumphed 3-1 over South Korea in the other semifinal on Monday.
Sun Yingsha of China competes in the table tennis women's team final match of the Hangzhou Asiad in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, Sept. 26, 2023. [Photo/VCG]
China raced ahead in the final as world No. 1 Sun Yingsha beat Hina Hayata 3-1 (11-6, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9).
"My teammates gave me much support when I played on the field, and we become more and more united," Sun said after the match.
Olympic champion Chen Meng rallied from a 1-2 deficit to edge Miu Hirano in full games (12-10, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5) to move China further ahead, and the hosts secured the title following Wang Manyu's 3-1 (6-11, 11-4, 11-7, 13-11) victory over 15-year-old Miwa Harimoto.
Wang Manyu of China reacts in the table tennis women's team final match of the Hangzhou Asiad in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, Sept. 26, 2023. [Photo/VCG]
"It was one of the fiercest matches recently against Japan. My team embodies the spirit of unity and struggle. I believe they will be better in the next games," said Ma Lin, head coach of China's women's team.
"We all tried our best to play against the powerful team China, but it's a pity to lose the games, and we've got very valuable experience today," Hayata commented.