Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata advanced to the mixed doubles final at the world table tennis championships with a 3-1 win over China's Lin Shidong and Kuai Man on Thursday.
Harimoto and Hayata won 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 to set up their second consecutive final against China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, who defeated them at the previous worlds in 2021.
The Japanese duo blew a 7-3 lead to drop the opening game against Lin and Kuai, but regrouped and started overpowering them in rallies on Day 6 in Durban, South Africa.
"I'm more confident than I've ever been before a final," said Harimoto, the world No. 4 in men's singles rankings. "We'll just play our game. If it doesn't work, we can make adjustments."
Hayata has also moved into the women's singles quarterfinals, along with compatriot Mima Ito.