(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTFWorld)
The WTT Contender series event this week was in Almaty, Kazakhstan and the top seeded Shidong (World No. 14) did not disappoint. Shidong swept the titles, winning Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles – three events and three wins.
In Men’s Singles, Shidong dropped a game to Aidos Kenzhigulov of Kazakhstan in the Round of 32, topped Istrate 3-0, and Wen 3-0, and Zhou Qihao 3-1 on his way to the Final. Shidong fell behind to Oh Jungsung 1-3, but managed to win the final three games to claim the title.
In Doubles, Lin Shidong teamed with Xu Yingbin. The pair fell behind Romania’s Movileanu and Ionescu, but came back to win 3-2. After that opening round close call, they never looked back – sweeping the Quarters, Semis, and Finals all 3-0. In Mixed Doubles, Lin Shidong teamed with Kuai Man and the pair won all four matches easily – 3-0, 3-1, 3-0, 3-0.
The other event the finished today was Women’s Doubles which was won by Liu Weishan and He Zhuojia 3-2 over Japan’s Satsuki Odo and Sakura Yokoi.
The tour next turns its attention towards Macao where the WTT Champions Series event will be played this week.
Visit ButterflyOnline.com for the latest table tennis news and results.
