Chen Xingtong wins table tennis's Czech Open

OLOMOUC, Czech Republic - China's Chen Xingtong won her second consecutive 2019 ITTF World Tour title here on Sunday, defeating Miu Hirano of Japan to claim the women's singles title at the Czech Open.

Chen started well and raced into a 3-0 lead (11-5, 11-8, 11-7), but Hirano fought her way back with three straight sets (11-8, 14-12, 11-8) to tie the match at 3-3, forcing a deciding set in which Chen prevailed to take her second ITTF title this month, following on from her victory in the Bulgaria Open.

"It was really an amazing game. I want to laugh because I've won two consecutive titles, but I also want to cry because it was really hard to win this game," said an exhausted Chen after the match.

The Chinese also praised her 19-year-old opponent. "She made few mistakes," Chen said of Hirano. "In the final set, it's not about skills or tactics, but willpower. I managed to hold the game."