Shin Yu-bin to compete for bronze after losing in women's singles semifinals

Korean table tennis player Shin Yu-bin suffered a 4-0 defeat to China's Chen Meng in the women's singles semifinals at the Paris Olympics, dashing Korea's hope for a silver or gold medal.

Korean table tennis player Shin Yu-bin, right, competes in the women's singles semifinals against China’s Chen Meng at the Paris Olympics at South Paris Arena 4 in Paris on Friday. [NEWS1]

Korean table tennis player Shin Yu-bin lost 4-0 to China’s Chen Meng in the women’s singles semifinals at the Paris Olympics on Friday, ending Korea’s chance to win its first Olympic gold or silver medal in the event.

The match at South Paris Arena in Paris was fairly-matched in the beginning, but Shin lost the first game 11-7.

Shin bounced back to score three straight points in the early going of the second game, but Chen turned things around to claim the second game 11-6.

Shin failed to dominate in the third game again, losing 11-7, and going into what could be the last game of the match.

Single matches are best of seven games. The first person to score 11 points wins a game. If a game score is tied 10-10, the first player to score two straight points wins the game.

But there was no miracle in the fourth game, Shin losing it 11-7 again for a 4-0 loss.

Shin will now head to the bronze medal match on Saturday for a second bronze medal at this year’s Olympics, having claimed her first with Lim Jong-hoon in the mixed doubles on Tuesday.

No Korean player has reached the Olympics final in the women’s singles before. The country has also not won a medal in the event since a bronze by Kim Kyung-ah in 2004.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]