Niwa upset Xu at Asian champs to meet South Korean Jeong Sang Eun in men's singles final

Following top seed Ma Long's shock exit at the third round, Xu Xin suffered another unexpected defeat on Friday, letting go a possible All-Chinese final of men's singles at the Asian table tennis championships.

The world No. 3, who's in the same half with Ma Long, lost 12-10, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7 to Japan's Koki Niwa in the quarterfinals. Early on Thursday, Ma was beaten 11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6 by South Korea's Jeong Sang Eun in the round of 32.

"I had no one to blame but myself," said Xu. "The pressure was huge after Ma Long shocked out, and I failed to adjust myself mentally."

"Niwa seemed much experienced than before," he added. "He's growing from a youngster to an established player."

The Japanese contributed his victory to the right tactics that his coach planned for him and that he carried out throughout the match.

"The Asian Championships play best of five games, so I have to be the one taking control as early as I can if I want a victory," he said.

"Xu Xin is a pen-hold player, and I know the backhand is his disadvantage," added Niwa. "So my strategy was to play to his forehand and attack his backhand. It worked."

Niwa will face Jeong in Sunday's semifinals after the latter came back from one set down to win 8-11, 15-13, 11-9, 11-8 over Japanese Maharu Yoshimura.

The two places of the other semifinal encounter will be decided later on Friday, with China's Zhang Jike picking up teammate Lin Gaoyuan and Fan Zhendong meeting Lam Siu Hang of Hong Kong, China.

It has been the first time since 2000 that the men's singles final will not feature two Chinese players. Endit