Chinese table tennis stars Wang Chuqin and Lin Shidong showcased their exceptional skills at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Finals in Fukuoka, Japan, securing victories in the men’s singles round of 16 matches on Thursday.
Top seed Wang Chuqin faced Germany’s Patrick Franziska, a familiar opponent whom he previously defeated in the final of the WTT Saudi Arabia Grand Smash. Demonstrating control throughout the match, Wang triumphed 11-8, 12-10, 11-13, 11-6, earning a spot in the quarterfinals. He is set to compete against Swedish Olympic silver medalist Truls Moregard, who earlier edged out his compatriot Anton Kallberg in a gripping five-game encounter.
Reflecting on his performance, Wang said, “After the Olympics, my mental and physical states weren’t at their best. I’m trying to regain my form step by step through each tournament and move forward.”
Meanwhile, Lin Shidong delivered a solid performance against France’s Alexis Lebrun, winning 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4 in an engaging offensive battle. “Winning 3-1 was not easy,” Lin commented. “I prepared thoroughly for this match, especially given Alexis Lebrun’s recent excellent form and achievements. I played with a mindset to give it my all today.”
The success of Wang and Lin highlights the continued strength of Chinese table tennis on the global stage, exciting fans and signaling intense competition in the upcoming rounds of the tournament.
Reference(s):
Chinese favorites Wang Chuqin, Chen Xingtong progress at WTT Finals
cgtn.com
