Miwa Harimoto (張本美和) vs Hashimoto Honoka (橋本帆乃香) | WTT Star Contender 2025 Semifinal
That’s what Miwa decided to do. I would say that’s what Miwa had to do to force Hashimoto to attack and give herself the best chance. And Miwa came out just victorious. Honuka seems to be at the very top of her defensive game. We shall these two competitors with Haramoto having won the final. The star contender Chennai this year. Before we really get into the nuts and bolts, as Colin just said, her last loss was her last meeting with a Japanese player to Mimaito in Chennai. It’s presumably, Colin, a very different matter when you’re taking on essentially a national teammate. The other players get used to your strength. So when you’re playing a compatriate, it tends to make for a close match. And one in Tunis, she uh it’s pretty devastating and just underneath the playing arm there. Matter what you throw at her, do you think there is a way to rush her? Do you think there is a way to destabilize her? Well, there is if you just play powerfully enough and if Mi were wanted to, she could play even fast and that’s where she starts to like a fisherman starts to reel in theoretically the more aggressive player. One of the tactics Mia could try is to go to expedite to play consistently as she’s doing there. Maybe with some do. They didn’t pay to get in, did they? That’s three that it’s not easy, but compared to last time, see me m me was getting more powerful every month that goes by. young 17y old. But look at the work of ball. After they’re committed, she leaps into position into her next into her next uh place that she needs to be and then back to the recovery position. [Applause] That’s one of the That’s come up too high. [Applause] Well, that was a fantastic the consistent at the moment. Hashimoto’s even there for those [Applause] So somebody and the [Applause] Oh, that is superb in Chennai. Yeah. Well, I think Miwa will determine whether it goes to expedite or not. Um, and my sense is that she’ll only go to expedite if she’s not winning her attacking game. Is there a potentially factor into it? That’s a really nice thought. I wish she had the luxury of thinking that way. I think she’s just desperately trying to win every point and she’s will that way. Having said that, um, we’re going to see Hanukkah Hashimoto again herself because she’s in the final of the mixed doubles, which is match five this afternoon. And there, yes, as soon as you want something easy, you realize that there’s no free lunch. And that’s why Hanukkah beats some players with really, really low scores. She gets into a rhythm, the other player can’t get through. Hanukkah settles down and then picks off the easier balls. And she’s absolutely brutal keeping people down to 1121. Good work from Hashimoto there. Settle down a bit. [Applause] [Applause] Crowd is absolutely [Music] [Applause] 52 up. So the younger woman maturing brilliantly. [Applause] She does. Yeah. Hanukkah Hashimoto hasn’t quite settled yet. She’s playing well, but not brilliantly well. Miwa is just so consistent. [Applause] Most importantly, Miwa is reading the variations and disguises of spins that Hon is throwing at her. I don’t know about you, Colin. Yeah. [Applause] [Applause] Yeah, in the first half of the game, yes, even though Mi was was ahead, second half of the game, Mi was just being in terms of her conditioning, in terms of her strength, in terms of her technique. technique. She’s obviously developed in terms of her judgment. You do an enormous amount of Yeah. And I think you’re right. She she certainly it helps her that she’s she’s well past puberty now. So her arms and legs aren’t getting longer quickly, which is very difficult for the coordination of the body. Um so she’s passed that stage. She’s now just increasing power work through on a daily basis. And as you work through those scenarios, the combination of the power and the confidence is [Applause] [Applause] what from the table as well as the back spins. I think she just needs maximum variation. That’s not quite what we had in mind for her. Harimoto out with a few unexpected chops and floats that are not red, then that could upset that confidence that Harimoto is playing with. That’s good. She planned that from a way out. Yeah. And that’s the [Applause] So there’s a change of tactics. Soft forehand attack. [Applause] Again [Applause] the variation of course it’s so difficult for MA Harimoto to be able to concentrate perfectly for three whole games a certain extent almost human nature isn’t it in any racket sport when you win the game before the game or when you win the set before the set the one that takes you very close to victory you almost have a breeze I also winning three games to zero against Hanukkah Hashimoto is not an easy task. [Applause] Played a shot almost from beh [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Goodness, does she have to work but in that rally she had her concentration back on full again. [Applause] Oh, what a she. [Applause] Four game points. [Applause] We continue. Learn when to stay out of the way, which is not easy. Yeah. [Applause] Oh, what a reach. What a reach. Honuka dancing now. [Applause] This could go to expedite like this ball back low and I think that’s a soul destroyer potentially for Ma Harimoto. [Applause] Same again. Mi were nodding. She’s done well again. Goes for the even bigger one. This the boss. [Applause] Well, I don’t know who the boss is. [Applause] Next. What’s the plan? This, by the way, I will bring us close to the start of the mixed doubles final. I’ll go through all the timings when there’s odo in match three. So, the winner of this will play the winner of that one. So guaranteed a Japanese winner of this championships in the women’s singles. Bit of a top end bad bounce. [Applause] You win those two points that you lost, you would have been 82 up. [Applause] So, Mi were now resisting the temple whilst not using what you feel is your strength. That’s a beautiful back hand. Ma refuses the big forehand. Well, well so confused without becoming so worn down, without becoming so frustrated. You’re in a very small group for 50 yesterday and I would say almost no chance for Zay Singapore. found the power. There’s no way through. Mi does have a way through, but it’s 50/50 again, isn’t it? [Applause] [Applause] Oh, yes. Hashimoto having ball in hand. Oh my word. Well, she was due one definitely. But if she’s patient for these three points, she might take them all. And she is patient. [Applause] That’s just impeccably. [Applause] Oh, ambient tactical work from Hashimoto under pressure. [Applause] almost behind Hashimoto with the backhand shot. Incredible. She’s [Applause] I will tell you by the way that you went about two mark just gone beyond 45 minutes. [Applause] Yes, that see me were having no trouble with the backhand side spin from Oh, I say that and she missed match. Every time a pattern has emerged, the moment we’ve identified that pattern, that pattern’s no longer there. Yeah, they’re breaking each other up all the time. Forehand push from Mia. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Superb table tennis. [Applause] Oh, she risked it off the side. Mia will be distraught at that one. [Applause] She knew she didn’t get her body. Good to have you with us at the star contender in Brazil in Palanar State. It’s me we’re going to push to expedite. And will Hanukkah let her or will Hanukkah start to attack? [Applause] Well, did that touch about the enraged god that created the uh waterfall of Fosto Iguasu according to Brazilian legend. Well, the uh gods have been, if not enraged, they’ve been fair, haven’t they, in this match. All the net cords have been repaid. The edge balls have been repaid. Been fairly 50/50. Yes, it’s been raging but in both directions. Big side spins again from Hashimoto. [Applause] [Applause] I think me will be perfectly happy if this goes to expedite. [Applause] Okay, we’re past the 8 minute point. [Applause] I would say this is almost certainly going to go to expedite. It’s in the fifth and final game. I think both players are resigned to it. They just want to keep down the errors before we get to that point. So shortly we’re going to see alternate serves and we’re going to see how and it adds another fascinating layer of complexity to a match that is already full of such complication. We’re nearly there. [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] Let’s keep an eye also on umpire Deario from Brazil. She has the eye on the clock. [Applause] Oh, fantastic. Oh, at the end. Absolutely ext. [Applause] [Applause] Masterclass of control from both sides. Look at that. [Applause] [Applause] Oh, top edge gets 13 balls on the table. The server loses the point. This is this forces Hashimoto to attack and she does so success around the 1 hour mark of this enthralling contest. [Applause] Yeah, Sumoto was caught on the front foot. [Applause] Well, we find ourselves at two all and nine all. [Applause] It’s match point number one. And she w second match point. The last one. 2 3 4.
Miwa Harimoto (張本美和) vs Hashimoto Honoka (橋本帆乃香) | WTT Star Contender 2025 Semifinal | Table Tennis 2025
Description:
A thrilling all-Japanese clash at the WTT Star Contender Foz do Iguaçu 2025 Semifinal! 🇯🇵
Miwa Harimoto (張本美和), known for her explosive forehand loops and rapid footwork, faces off against Hashimoto Honoka (橋本帆乃香), a tactical defender with incredible consistency and spin variation.
This match is a perfect showcase of contrasting styles — Miwa’s aggressive topspin rallies versus Honoka’s iron-clad defense and smart placements. Who will take the final spot and move one step closer to the title? Watch now to witness world-class table tennis action!
👉 Featuring fast-paced rallies, edge-of-your-seat moments, and top-level technique — this is table tennis 2025 at its finest!
📌 Players:
Miwa Harimoto (張本美和)
Hashimoto Honoka (橋本帆乃香)
📌 Tournament: WTT Star Contender Foz do Iguaçu 2025
📌 Round: Semifinal
📌 Sport: Table Tennis
Tags:
WTT Star Contender 2025, Miwa Harimoto, Hashimoto Honoka, 張本美和, 橋本帆乃香, table tennis 2025, WTT, table tennis highlights, ping pong, table tennis match, bóng bàn, 卓球, 乒乓球, tennis de table, Tischtennis, WTT Semifinal 2025, Japanese table tennis, women’s table tennis, Miwa Harimoto vs Hashimoto Honoka
Hashtags:
#TableTennis #WTT2025 #MiwaHarimoto #HashimotoHonoka #WTTStarContender #PingPong #SportsHighlights #卓球 #乒乓球 #TennisDeTable #BóngBàn #Tischtennis