Chinese pairs make into final four at ITTF Swedish Open

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling secured their places in the women's doubles semifinals at the ITTF World Tour Swedish Open here on Friday. Their men's counterparts Fan Zhendong and Xu Xin reached the same stage.

Chen and Zhu overcame Barbora Balazova of Slovakia and Hana Matelova of Czech Republic 11-4, 13-11, 13-11 in quarterfinals.

Later on Friday, they will face top seeds Doo Hoi Kem/Lee Ho Ching of Hong Kong, China, who withheld huge challenges to see off Spain's Maria Xiao/Canada's Zhang Mo in full games.

Second-seeded Hina Hayata/Mima Ito of Japan set up an encounter with Chen Szu-Yu/Cheng I-Ching of Chinese Taipei in the other semifinal.

Fan and Xu came back from 2-1 down after three games to eliminate home favorites Kristian Karlsson and Mattias Karlsson 9-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 12-10.

Next up against the Chinese duo will be South Korean paddlers Jang Woojin and Jeoung Youngsik.

The other final spot will be contended by Ho Kwan Kit/Wong Chun Ting of Hong Kong, China and Indian pair Sharath Kamal Achanta/Sathiyan Gnanasekaran.