Chinese table tennis stars Sun Yingsha and Lin Shidong cemented their status as title contenders at the WTT Finals in Hong Kong SAR on Thursday, securing decisive victories to advance to Friday's quarterfinals. The event, showcasing Asia's sporting prowess, saw multiple athletes from the Chinese mainland dominate early matches.
World No. 1 Sun Yingsha demonstrated her trademark precision with a 4-0 victory over compatriot Wang Yidi (11-3, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7), setting up a Friday clash with Japan's Miyu Nagasaki. Meanwhile, 20-year-old phenom Lin Shidong overpowered Liang Jingkun in straight games (15-13, 11-3, 11-4, 11-9), reinforcing China's depth in men's singles.
Other Chinese athletes made strong showings, with Xiang Peng and Kuai Man defeating opponents from the Republic of Korea and Japan respectively. In mixed doubles, world champions Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha overcame teammates Lin Gaoyuan and Kuai Man, while Hong Kong SAR's Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem thrilled home fans with a dramatic five-set victory over India's pairing.
The tournament continues through the weekend at Hong Kong SAR's Queen Elizabeth Stadium, with finals scheduled for Sunday. Current results suggest potential all-Chinese medal rounds across multiple categories.
