Chinese table tennis rising star Lin Shidong staged a thrilling comeback to defeat compatriot Liang Jingkun 4-1 in the ITTF World Cup semifinals on Saturday, marking his first-ever final appearance in the prestigious tournament. The match, held in the Macao Special Administrative Region, saw 28-year-old Liang leverage experience to claim the opening game before Lin's explosive speed and precision dominated subsequent frames.
Lin demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship after incurring two service-related penalties during the match, telling reporters: "The referee made the correct call. I need to improve my serve height." The 19-year-old phenom's victory sets up a Sunday showdown with Brazil's Hugo Calderano, who overcame host-region favorite Wang Chuqin in a tense seven-game battle.
Sunday's final promises high stakes as Lin seeks his maiden World Cup title against Calderano, who became the first non-Asian semifinalist since 2017. The outcome could signal shifting dynamics in global table tennis, particularly for young athletes challenging established champions.
