Chinese table tennis star Wang Chuqin delivered a masterclass in resilience at the WTT Champions Chongqing on Sunday, rallying from an early setback to defeat Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto 4-1 in a men's singles semifinal thriller. The world No. 3 survived a nerve-wracking first-game collapse before dominating southwest China's home crowd favorite with signature power plays.
After surrendering a 10-9 lead in the opener through three consecutive Harimoto points, Wang recalibrated his forehand attacks to claim four straight games (11-5, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7). The victory extends his career dominance over the Japanese phenom to 11 wins in 13 meetings.
The semifinal clash saw both athletes pushing physical limits with blistering counterattacks. 'This match required absolute focus on every detail,' Wang told reporters post-game. 'Harimoto's relentless style forces you to maintain peak intensity.'
Wang now faces compatriot Lin Shidong in Monday's final, ensuring China retains the Chongqing men's title. Lin advanced after defeating Liang Jingkun 4-2 in an equally intense all-Chinese semifinal.
On the women's side, world No. 1 Sun Yingsha staged her own comeback after trailing 0-2 against Wang Yidi. The Olympic gold medalist won four straight games, including a crucial 13-11 third-game nail-biter, to set up a final showdown with Chen Xingtong. Final matchups promise high-stakes action as China continues dominating international table tennis circuits.
