Top seeds Japan and China, seeded second, were expected to reach the tournament's showpiece contest and the arch-rivals will battle it out for the gold medal at the GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World venue tomorrow.

Olympic team bronze medallist Mima Ito, who already has six ITTF World Tour titles to her name at the young age of 16, had to fight back from two games down to give Japan the lead in their semi-final clash with Hong Kong.

Ito was up against Mak Tze Wing in the opening encounter and found herself staring defeat in the face before she rallied to claim a 6-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 triumph.

Soo Wai Yam Minnie was then able to draw Hong Kong level as she overcame Hina Hayata 11-5, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9.

Japan restored their slender advantage in the next match, moving 2-1 ahead in the tie thanks to Miyu Kato's 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-3 triumph over Liu Qi.

That left Ito with the chance to secure a spot in the final for her nation and it was one she duly seized as she beat Soo 9-11, 11-9, 13-11, 12-10 in a hard-fought contest.

China demonstrated slightly better form than their Japanese counterparts as they won all three matches of their semi-final against South Korea.

Shi Xunyao got China off to the best possible start as she needed four games to get past Kim You-jin 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9.

Liu Weishan swept aside Kim Ji-ho 11-4, 11-7, 16-14 in the second encounter to move China to the break of the final and their place was assured when Sun Yizhen overcame Heo Miryeo 11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5.

China's boys' team were not able to follow in the footsteps of their female compatriots as they lost their semi-final 3-2 to South Korea.

The South Korean side will meet top seeds Japan, who cruised to a 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei, in tomorrow's showpiece.