On the fifth day of the Table Tennis World Championships in South Africa, Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata defeated the Korean pair in straight sets in the mixed doubles to secure their second consecutive medal in this event.
On the fifth day of the tournament in Durban, South Africa, on the 5th, the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles were held along with the third round of the men's and women's singles and men's and women's doubles events, and the pair of Harimoto and Hayata, who are aiming to win the gold medal in this tournament after the previous silver medal, faced the Korean pair.
In the first game, the Korean pair attacked aggressively, but after Harimoto scored with a powerful forehand, they gradually took control of the game and took an 24-3 lead.
In the second game, they found their attacking rhythm from Hayata's serve and kept the Korean pair's counterattack at bay, such as Harimoto hitting a backhand that they are good at, and took an 1-11 lead.
In the third game, the Korean pair were forced to take a 8-2 lead against the Korean pair, but when Hayata hit a powerful forehand, Harimoto scored five consecutive points, including a unique spinning receive "Chiquita".
The two continued to dominate the game, and in the end, Harimoto hit a powerful forehand to win the game 11-5 in straight sets.
The semi-finalist pair of Harimoto and Hayata were confirmed as medals for the second consecutive Games.
Women's Singles Mima Ito advanced to fourth round
Meanwhile, in the women's singles, world No. 7 Mima Ito defeated world No. 70 Hungary in straight sets to advance to the fourth round.
Men's Singles Yukiya Uda Eliminated in Third Round
In the men's singles, world No. 19 Yukiya Uda lost to world No. 2 Wang Chuqin by a game count of 1-4 and was eliminated in the third round.