Sabine Winter vs Miwa Harimoto - Semifinal - ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2025

Winter against Harimoto. Straight away plays an aggressive backhand Sabina. Where she can get the forehand in where possible as well. Perfect start. All of the meetings between these two have been since Winter has changed her equipment. The Chinese star saving it to win her third champions title. You saw the bounce on that one there. Textbook play off the anti-spin. Sometimes it can stop dead in front of you. Miwa side. So she has to be careful about the timing of the shots Miwa. That was a nice shot selection. That was patient, that was controlled. Youngest player in the world's top ten Miwa Harimoto. Some fortune for Winter and look how quickly she pivots that corner. Miwa Harimoto plays a very, very safe game. Handcuffed, suffocated. Miwa here with the points. Perfect anti-spin shot. Miwa Harimoto trying to lob down. A few points left. There's no spin on that serve and Winter knew it. Great read, short forehand. This is their third meeting. All their meetings have come this year in 2025. Nice relaxed shot making. The first ball into Miwa's wide forehand or middle and then into the backhand. That'll be effective. Playing them from the middle and then they switch up. Insane approach. And then look at how quickly. I understand that it's a big statement. But I feel as though the rest of your game... It's about the functionality. Doing its job to help you have an easier test factor. From time to time. And that's where Winter... Can she reduce the deficit? That was a nice backhand as well. The blink of an eye. Maybe we'll see a timeout here from the German. It's a bit of inter... Looking pretty good but she's had to call the timeout. UFO shot! Let's see Harimoto. Showing why she's such a comprehensive young player. She's levelled out of absolutely nowhere. Not the right decision there from Miwa Harimoto. She got a good look at that service. She knew it was attackable but it was just tight. Third ball attack. Good recovery from Harimoto. Backhand block down the line. Game point. She switches. Great shots from Miwa Harimoto. Head to the table on the service. Would you believe it? Miwa Harimoto has stolen the second game. And we've seen some pretty... He's a real character. Miwa showing some personality through that flick there. Deuce, ten apiece. Miwa's long serve. Clipped it. Serving two. Easy pickings there for the German. The next match here will be the men's singles. Soro Matsushima will play Danko. Interesting arching shots to protect herself. Oh! Clutters it down the line. Backhand counter was perfect. Too much respect there to the winter attack. Wonderful spin shot from Vinter. But Miwa leaps into it. Transfers her weight fully. Less so with a long pinball defender. But it's still on the cards. Vinter with a second game point. Better late than never. They do take it. Sabina Vinter wins 12-10.