In a thrilling women’s singles semi-final at WTT Contender Lagos, Japan’s Honoka Hashimoto defeated Yeh Yi-Tian of Chinese Taipei to reach the final.
The tournament is taking place at Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
The semi-final was tightly contested, with both players displaying high-level skills, sharp reflexes, and tactical awareness throughout the encounter.
Hashimoto, ranked 19th in the world, now looks forward to the final match as she aims to secure the WTT Contender Lagos title.
She triumphed over Yeh in straight sets, winning 3–0 (11–3, 11–8, 11–1) with a dominant performance throughout the clash.
Her strong defensive style proved difficult for Yeh, who was unable to break through the Japanese player’s consistent and steady gameplay.
Hashimoto’s grit and focus saw her seal the win, underlining her status as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders.
With this victory, Hashimoto heads confidently into the final, aiming to add another title to her record.
India’s Sreeja Akula, the defending champion ranked 57th, also advanced to the final after defeating France’s Prithika Pavade in a tense battle.
She edged out Pavade with a hard-fought 3–2 win (11–7, 11–4, 13–11, 6–11, 11–9) in the semi-final encounter.
The semi-final between Akula and Pavade offered edge-of-the-seat drama, full of power, spin, and spirited rallies.
Akula, a right-handed player, held her nerve and prevailed in a match marked by narrow margins.
Her victory earns her a place in the final, where she will challenge for the tournament’s top prize.
The crowd witnessed a gripping display of competitive table tennis, with both semi-finals packed with tension and excitement.
NAN reports the WTT Contender Lagos semi-finals delivered top-class action and determined performances from all the players.
The final matches are scheduled to take place later today