China’s Wang Chuqin Advances to WTT Finals Men’s Singles Showdown
Fukuoka, Japan – The World Table Tennis (WTT) Finals continued with thrilling matches on Saturday, as China’s World No. 1 Wang Chuqin secured his spot in the men’s singles final. In the women’s singles, Wang Manyu and Chen Xingtong guaranteed an all-Chinese final after impressive performances.
From the semifinals, the tournament shifts to a best-of-seven format, intensifying the competition. In the men’s singles, China’s Lin Shidong faced off against Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto. Historically, Lin had struggled against Harimoto, but this match was different.
The young Lin came out strong, showcasing exceptional form in the first two games. Capitalizing on Harimoto’s inconsistent serves, Lin aggressively counterattacked, quickly taking a 2-0 lead with scores of 11-6 and 11-3. Facing the deficit, Harimoto adjusted his strategy, incorporating more forehand plays and varying his shot placement. The adjustment paid off as he leveled the match at 2-2. The players then exchanged games, pushing the contest to a decisive seventh game.
In the final game, both players traded leads in a tense battle, reaching a 9-9 tie. Lin earned a match point at 10-9 but couldn’t close it out. Harimoto seized the moment, rallying to win three consecutive points. He clinched the match 12-10, advancing to the final with a 4-3 victory.
“Trailing 2-0, I tried to rely more on forehand shots and adjusted my tactics,” Harimoto shared after the match. “I brought everything I had—my skills, my strategies. This was probably the most intense game I’ve ever played; I feel like I’ve used up all my mental and physical energy. It’s exhausting.”
In the other men’s semifinal, top seed Wang Chuqin defeated Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic 4-1. Notably, in the fifth game, Wang overcame an 8-5 deficit with a six-point streak to clinch the match. Reflecting on his performance, Wang said he remained composed despite trailing, noting that his comeback shifted his opponent’s mentality.
“I stayed calm during the deficit,” Wang said. “My focus helped me turn the game around, and I think it affected my opponent’s mindset.”
Looking ahead to the final, Wang expressed his approach: “I treat every match as if it’s my last. I hadn’t anticipated reaching the final, but of course, everyone wants the title. For me, it’s about staying calm, giving it my all, and performing at my best.”
The women’s singles semifinals were equally thrilling. Second seed Wang Manyu faced Romania’s Bernadette Szocs in a rollercoaster match. Wang dominated early, leveraging aggressive play on Szocs’s forehand to take a commanding 3-0 lead. However, Szocs mounted a spirited comeback, winning three consecutive games to force a decider. In the final game, Wang regained her composure and played steadily, securing a 4-3 victory.
“I was leading 3-0 and 9-6 in the fourth game, yet it still went to the seventh,” Wang reflected. “This showed I encountered some issues during the match. But managing to win in such a dramatic situation is something I can be proud of.”
In the other women’s semifinal, Chen Xingtong faced fellow Chinese player Wang Yidi. Chen claimed four straight games, all by 11-9 margins, setting up an all-Chinese final against Wang Manyu.
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China's Wang Chuqin to compete for WTT Finals men's singles title
cgtn.com
