Chen Meng came through a tough test against Petrissa Solja to advance to the semi-finals of the ITTF Finals ©ITTF

Reigning champion and world number one Chen Meng clawed her way back from two games down to beat an inspired Petrissa Solja in the quarter-finals of the International Table Tennis (ITTF) Finals.

Aiming to win the competition for a record fourth successive time, Chen found herself in trouble after a slow start in Zhengzhou in China.

But the Chinese player responded in style to knock out Germany’s Solja, winning 9-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8, 11-6.

"I thought Solja played really well today," said Chen.

"At two games down, I was able to relax a little more and I was getting used to her playing rhythm.

"In the third game I just tried to reduce my unforced errors and take the initiative earlier."

Japanese star Mima Ito was also given a fright as she needed a decider to see off Wang Yidi 6-11, 11-8, 11-13, 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5.

Ito will meet another Chinese player in the last four after Wang Manyu saw off Cheng I-ching of Chinese Taipei 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6.

Sun Yingsha will contest an all-Chinese semi-final against Chen after coming from behind to defeat South Korean Suh Hyo-won 10-12, 11-6, 8-11, 11-3, 13-11, 11-5.

Defending champion Fan Zhendong powered through to the last four with a win over Hugo Calderano ©ITTF
Defending champion Fan Zhendong powered through to the last four with a win over Hugo Calderano ©ITTF

In the men’s event, world number one Fan Zhendong of China remains on course to defend his crown following an 11-6, 13-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9 victory over Brazilian Hugo Calderano.

"There were moments that were very uncomfortable for me especially in the second, fourth and fifth games when he played to his strength," said Fan.

"I kept looking for solutions and it was important in the second game, being able to fight back to win it."

After saving two match points to beat 2018 champion Tomokazu Harimoto in the last 16 yesterday, Jang Woo-jin came out on top in another thriller at the Zhengzhou Olympic Sports Center.

The South Korean held his nerve to beat China's Lin Gaoyuan 11-7, 10-12, 1-11, 11-7, 12-10, 8-11, 11-6 and set up a semi-final clash with Fan.

The other last-four encounter will see Ma Long face his Chinese counterpart Xu Xin after they both won in six games.

Ma, a reigning Olympic team champion, defeated Sweden’s Mattias Falck 11-5, 7-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 13-11 while Xu overcame Lin Yun-ju of Chinese Taipei 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 11-2, 11-3.

The ITTF Finals have replaced the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals, which were cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and feature only men's singles and women's singles.

The competition continues tomorrow and is due to finish on Sunday (November 22).