Reigning world champion Wang Chuqin of the Chinese mainland breezed into the men's singles round of 16 at the WTT United States Smash after a 3-1 victory over Kao Cheng-jui of Chinese Taipei.
Wang stamped his authority early by taking the first game 11-2. Kao battled back to level at 1-1 (11-9), but the world No. 1 regained control, winning 11-6 and 11-3 in games three and four.
“I was prepared for every angle of this match, especially with the new venue and table conditions,” Wang said. “I had to stay true to my style while adapting my strategy.”
Women’s Side Showdown
Chinese mainland’s Sun Yingsha, the women’s world No. 1, battled through another full-game test, defeating Egypt’s Hana Goda to set up a high-stakes round of 16 clash.
Rising Stars and Surprise Runs
French qualifier Lilian Bardet continued his Cinderella story, upsetting Germany’s Ricardo Walther 3-1 after knocking out the Chinese mainland’s Liang Jingkun last round. “I’m proud of this run,” Bardet said. “I just want to carry this confidence forward.”
- Sixth seed Felix Lebrun defeated fellow Frenchman Simon Gauzy 3-1.
- German seeds Benedikt Duda and Qiu Dang also moved through to the round of 16.
With the competition heating up, the next phase promises high-octane clashes as top seeds and dark horses collide for a spot in the quarterfinals. Fans worldwide are tuning in as these athletes navigate form, pressure and innovation—defining the future of table tennis on the global stage.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
