MEN’S SINGLES
World No. 1 Falls in Thrilling Battle
Top seed Lin Shidong faced his compatriot, fifth-seed Liang Jingkun, in an intense showdown. Liang Jingkun dominated early, taking the first game 11-5 and following up with a commanding 11-8 win in the second, putting the no. 1 seeded player under immense pressure. With no coach to provide guidance in the all-Chinese affair, Lin Shidong struggled to find his rhythm.
The third game saw a shift in momentum as Lin Shidong, trailing 3-7, staged a stunning comeback, winning eight consecutive points to secure the set 11-7. He carried that energy into the fourth, levelling the match at 2-2 with an 11-5 victory. Lin Shidong looked poised to take control in the fifth, leading 7-3, but Liang Jingkun fought back fiercely, closing the gap and ultimately taking the game 11-8.
The Chinese top seed responded with another gritty effort in the sixth, winning 11-8 to force a deciding seventh set. But in the end, Liang Jingkun, a three-time bronze medallist, held his nerve, closing out the match 11-7 in a gripping contest that lasted over an hour. The final score read 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, securing Liang Jingkun’s victory and marking a major upset against the world no. 1.
Calderano Overcomes Challenge to Secure Historic Semifinal Spot
Newly crowned World Cup winner Hugo Calderano faced a tough battle against An Jaehyun in the quarterfinals. The third-seeded Brazilian began strongly, winning the first game 11-4, but was soon met with an unusual protest from his opponent. An Jaehyun objected to Calderano’s serve, claiming he couldn’t see the ball due to a closed palm and hidden thumb. Calderano explained that he has a medical condition preventing him from fully opening his palm. The referee intervened, allowing the match to proceed.
Unfazed, Calderano continued his dominant run, securing the second game 11-6. However, An Jaehyun staged a fightback, taking a crucial timeout at 9-8 in the third set before winning 11-9 to stay in the match. The Brazilian quickly regained control, winning the fourth game 11-7 to take a 3-1 lead.
The fifth set saw intense exchanges, with Calderano leading 10-7, but An Jaehyun saved two match points, pushing the game to deuce. Despite the challenge, Calderano held his nerve and closed the match 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10, securing a historic medal for himself and Brazil – the first World Championships medal in the nation’s table tennis history.
Next, he will face Liang Jingkun, known for toppling the no. 1 seed in two of the last four championships. Looking ahead to the semifinals, Calderano acknowledged the challenge, saying, “Very, very tough match, and he knows how to perform at the big stage, but I hope I will give him a good fight.
Truls Moregardh Battles Past Togami in a Nail-Biting Clash
Japan’s Shunsuke Togami faced Sweden’s seventh-seeded Truls Moregardh in an intense quarterfinal battle. The match began with a gripping first game, where Togami edged past Moregardh 16-14. He carried his momentum into the second, dominating with an 11-3 win.
However, Moregardh fought back, taking the third set 11-7. Down 5-8 in the fourth, the Swedish paddler showcased his resilience, winning five consecutive points to claim the set 11-8, levelling the match at 2-2.
Togami regained control in the fifth, leading 10-8, but Moregardh responded brilliantly, levelling the score and snatching the game 12-10 to take a 3-2 lead. A well thought out timeout at 9-8 in the sixth game helped Moregardh maintain his composure, and he converted his only match point to secure victory 14-16, 3-11, 11-7, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9.
With this win, Moregardh ensured his second podium finish, following his silver medal in 2021. After the hour-long battle, he expressed his joy, saying, “I am super happy to be able to win.” For Shunsuke Togami and Japan, the 46-year wait for a men’s singles medal continues.
Wang Chuqin Powers into Semifinals
Lin Yun-Ju, the 13th seed from Chinese Taipei, had two game points in the first set against no. 2 seed Wang Chuqin but failed to convert, losing 10-12. The second game followed a similar pattern, with the Chinese player trailing 6-8 before staging a comeback to win 11-8, securing a 2-0 lead.
Wang Chuqin maintained his dominance in the third, claiming another 11-8 victory. Lin fought hard in the fourth set, managing to save a match point, but Wang Chuqin, the crowd favourite, proved too strong, closing out the match with a 12-10, 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 win to book his spot in the semifinals.
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Mima Ito Stuns Wang Yidi to Reach Semifinals
Japan’s Mima Ito delivered a commanding performance to knock out China’s Wang Yidi in their battle for a spot in the last four. The fourth-seeded Wang Yidi started strong, winning the first game 11-8, but Ito responded swiftly, levelling the score at 1-1.
In the third game, Ito shifted tactics, combining deft pushes and aggressive top spins to take control, winning 11-6. She then raced to a 7-0 lead in the fourth, but Wang fought back, closing the gap. A timely timeout by Ito’s coach helped her regroup, and she secured the game 11-8.
Unforced errors in the fifth game briefly set Ito back, forcing her to dig deep. However, she kept her composure and converted her only match point on serve, sealing a 4-1 victory (6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8, 11-9), to reach the semifinals in style.
Sun Yingsha Overcomes Tough Challenge to Reach Semifinals
Satsuki Odo, the seventh seed, surprised world no. 1 and top seed Sun Yingsha by taking the first game 11-9 in their women’s singles quarterfinal clash. Matching Sun Yingsha stroke for stroke, Odo put up a resilient fight, but the reigning champion quickly regrouped and claimed the second game 11-8.
The world no. 1 raised her game in the third, racing to a 7-1 lead and closing the set 11-4. The fourth game turned into a thrilling battle, with Odo saving two game points before eventually falling 11-13. The two-time world champion then shifted into top gear in the final set, securing an 11-5 win to stay on course for another championship.
The final score 9-11, 11-8, 11-4, 13-11, 11-5 suggests a commanding victory, but Satsuki Odo made Sun Yingsha work hard for every point, making it one of the most gripping matches of the tournament.
In another quarterfinal clash, China’s third seed, Chen Xingtong, delivered a dominant performance, securing a straight-sets victory over Japan’s sixth seed, Hina Hayata with a final score of 12-10, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9.
Wang Manyu Cruises Into Semifinals with Dominant Win
In the last quarterfinal match, China’s second seed Wang Manyu faced Japan’s fifth seed, Miwa Harimoto. Wang Manyu established her dominance early, securing the first game 11-5. The 16-year-old Miwa fought hard in the second, but Wang’s experience helped her close it 11-8.
In the third game, Miwa’s father and coach called a surprise timeout when she equalized at 7-7 after winning two consecutive points. However, the strategy failed to shift momentum, as Wang Manyu stayed composed to win 11-9. She wrapped up the match convincingly with a 4-0 victory (11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5).
The former champion now moves into the semifinals, where she will face third seed Chen Xingtong in an all-Chinese showdown.
MEN’S DOUBLES
Lebrun Brothers March Into Semifinals
Shrugging off the disappointment of losing in the singles, Felix Lebrun and his brother Alexis put up a dominant performance in their doubles encounter against the Swedish pair of Mattias Falck and Kristian Karlsson. The no. 1 seed won 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5 to move into the semifinals.
Japanese pair of Hiroto Shinozuka and Shunsuke Togami, the no. 2 seed, put an end to the campaign of the Egyptian pair of Mohamed Elbeiali and Youssef Abdelaziz winning 12-10 11-3, 11-5 in 26 minutes to book their place in the last four.
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Szocs & Polcanova Advance
The tenth-seeded duo of Bernadette Szocs and Sofia Polcanova ended the impressive run of Germany’s Sabine Winter and Yuan Wan in the quarterfinals. Despite a strong fight from the German pair, Szocs and Polcanova secured their spot in the semifinals with a hard-fought 11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 12-10 victory.
Wang Manyu & Kuai Man Dominate
Meanwhile, China’s second-seeded pairing of Wang Manyu and Kuai Man wasted no time in their quarterfinal clash, overcoming Spain’s Maria Xiao and Romania’s Adina Diaconu in just 23 minutes. The Chinese pair displayed sheer dominance, winning 11-7, 11-9, 11-6 to comfortably book their place in the semifinals.
MIXED DOUBLES
Wang Chuqin & Sun Yingsha Eye Third Title in Mixed Doubles
After a gruelling singles match, Sun Yingsha faced a familiar opponent, Shin Yubin, this time in the mixed doubles semifinal alongside Wang Chuqin. The world no. 2 pair took on Republic of Korea’s Lim Jonghoon & Shin Yubin in an intense showdown.
The Korean pair had a game point in the first set but failed to convert, losing 10-12. The Chinese duo dominated the second game winning 11-6, while the third was a thriller, with the crowd fully engaged as both pairs fought for every point. Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha ultimately clinched victory 12-10, 11-6, 16-14, securing their spot in the final and keeping their third title within reach.
Their final opponents will be Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura & Satsuki Odo, who stunned Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting & Doo Hoi Kem in a one-sided 3-1 victory (11-8, 11-1, 4-11, 11-2), wrapping up the match in just 23 minutes.
Day 8 will be the turning point of the championships, determining who will fight for the ultimate title. With high-profile clashes lined up, the semifinals promise to deliver gripping battles.
