Chen Meng of China returns the ball during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Chen Meng of China and Petrissa Solja of Germany at 2020 ITTF finals in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Nov. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)
ZHENGZHOU, China, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese paddlers Chen Meng and Sun Yingsha will meet again in less than half a month after outplaying respective opponents in the women's singles quarterfinals of the ITTF Finals here on Friday.
Top-ranked Chen found herself in a 10-4 hole against Petrissa Solja of Germany. Despite great effort for coming back, Chen conceded the opening game 11-9.
The second game was also intense. Chen wasted two game points and Solja won four points in a row for 12-10 and a 2-0 lead overall.
But Chen bounced back strongly from there, nailing four consecutive games at 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 and 11-6.
"A thrilling match," Chen said in relief. "When I was two games behind, I could rather relax a little bit and become more familiar with her style."
Solja admitted she felt a little upset, while saying "if somebody told me before that I could play such a close match against her, I would be satisfied."
"We had good rallies. It was a good experience playing against the world No. 1," the German added.
Sun also withstood huge pressure from South Korean Suh Hyo-won, rallying from one game down by pocketing the following three games to turn the match around.
"I was not quite accustomed to her spins at the start," admitted Sun.
Chen beat Sun in the World Cup final in their latest meeting in east China's Weihai on Nov. 10.
"Hopefully I can enjoy the match tomorrow, and make more adjustments in adversities," Sun noted. Enditem
Chen Meng (L) of China celebrates for scoring during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Chen Meng of China and Petrissa Solja of Germany at 2020 ITTF finals in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Nov. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Meng of China celebrates for scoring during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Chen Meng of China and Petrissa Solja of Germany at 2020 ITTF finals in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Nov. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)
Sun Yingsha of China hits a return during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Sun Yingsha of China and Suh Hyowon of South Korea at 2020 ITTF finals in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Nov. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Petrissa Solja of Germany serves during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Chen Meng of China and Petrissa Solja of Germany at 2020 ITTF finals in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Nov. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)
Chen Meng of China celebrates for scoring during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Chen Meng of China and Petrissa Solja of Germany at 2020 ITTF finals in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Nov. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Li An)
Sun Yingsha of China reacts during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Sun Yingsha of China and Suh Hyowon of South Korea at 2020 ITTF finals in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, Nov. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
