Hometown favorite Lin makes it to ITTF World Tour China Open semis

SHENZHEN, China, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Hometown favorite Lin Gaoyuan stopped Japan's Jun Mizutani and moved into the semifinals of the ITTF World Tour China Open table tennis tournament on Saturday.

After dispatching Japanese rising star Tomokazu Harimoto in the previous day, Lin played a spectacular seesaw game with the Japanese veteran before winning 9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-3, 11-8.

"Jun Mizutani is a very competitive player," said the fourth-seeded Lin. "I was prepared for a full seven sets. The last time against him, I lost in the seventh. This victory is a result of my recent hard training."

The 23-year-old player was born in Bao'an district of Shenzhen. "Playing in front of home crowd doesn't have pressure on me. So many people cheered for me, I have no excuse to lose."

Lin is to take on either Chinese Fan Zhengdong or Japanese Niwa Koki in the semifinals. Enditem