Chen Xintong from China managed to make an impressive comeback in the decisive match, defeating Egyptian Hana Godo 3-2 and advancing to the quarterfinals of the WTT Champions Macao women's singles tournament, which took place in Macau, China, on Friday.
The Chinese athlete overcame a slow start, winning with scores of 3-11, 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, despite serious opposition from the 18-year-old Egyptian, in a match that stretched over all five sets.
Initially, Godo started more confidently and dominated the first set with a score of 11-3, but Chen quickly adjusted her game, winning the second set 11-8 to level the score, and then taking the third set 11-6.
The match remained tense as Godo did not give up and won the fourth set 11-9, sending the contest into a deciding fifth set.
In the final set, Chen found herself in a difficult position; Godo took the lead 7-1, and it seemed she was approaching the eight finalists, but then Chen managed to turn the tide of the match by winning points one after another.
The Chinese star won 10 of the next 12 points, ultimately completing the comeback with a score of 11-9, allowing her to win 3-2 and avoid defeat.
After the match, Chen noted that she played poorly at the beginning of the final set but observed a change in Godo's play as the Egyptian approached victory. She focused on reducing the deficit one point at a time, eventually finding a way back into the fight.
This encounter became another intense duel between the two athletes, as Chen had previously also required five sets to defeat Godo at the Europe Smash tournament in Sweden in August.
The Friday victory followed a simpler start to Chen's campaign in Macau, where she defeated German Nina Mittelham 3-0 in the round of 32, conceding only 14 points over three sets.
In the next quarterfinal match, Chen will play against another Egyptian athlete, Dina Meshref, on Saturday. Meshref advanced to the eight finalists after defeating American Lily Zhang in two sets.