Taiwan\u2019s top men\u2019s table tennis player Lin Yun-ju yesterday advanced to his first Grand Smash men\u2019s singles final after defeating Sweden\u2019s Truls Moregard in six games at the WTT Singapore Smash.<\/p>\n
Nicknamed the \u201csilent assassin,\u201d Lin won 11-7, 14-12, 12-10, 5-11, 7-11, 11-8 in the semi-final.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old world No. 8 had previously faced the world No. 5, also 24, six times in WTT competitions, holding a 5-1 record, with his only loss coming in the quarter-finals of the WTT Finals in Hong Kong last year.<\/p>\n
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\n <\/div>\nPhoto: CNA<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Lin entered yesterday\u2019s match in excellent form, having already secured the 100th win of his career in the quarter-finals of the WTT Singapore Smash.<\/p>\n
In the opening game, Lin excelled in mid-to-long rallies, winning 11-7.<\/p>\n
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He controlled serve returns effectively in the closely contested second game. When it reached deuce, he dug deep to win the next two points and take the game 14-12, for a two-game-to-nil lead.<\/p>\n
In the third game, Lin trailed 2-5 after a series of early errors, but responded with five consecutive points to take the lead. After four ties and a time-out by Moregard, Lin won another close game 12-10 to take a 3-0 lead in games.<\/p>\n
With no margin for error, Moregard changed tactics in the next two games, reducing power on his returns and alternating pace to disrupt Lin\u2019s play, successfully pulling back two games.<\/p>\n
Lin adjusted in the sixth game, using two backhand flips on serve returns and an edge ball to build a 7-3 lead.<\/p>\n
Although Moregard rallied to win five consecutive points and briefly move ahead 8-7, Lin leveled with a strong forehand, capitalized on an error and followed with his trademark backhand flip to secure three match points at 10-7, before sealing victory 11-8.<\/p>\n
Lin was to play in the men\u2019s singles final after press time last night against either China\u2019s Wang Chuqin or France\u2019s Felix Lebrun.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n