MIXED DOUBLES FINAL
Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin Clinch Third Consecutive Title
Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin returned to the table, this time battling for their third straight mixed doubles crown. Facing Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura and Satsuki Odo in the final, the Chinese duo wasted no time asserting their dominance.
Exploding out of the blocks, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin took control early, securing the first two games 11-7, 11-8 with clinical precision. However, Maharu Yoshimura and Satsuki Odo found their rhythm in the third, racing to a 7-4 lead. Determined to stay in contention, the Chinese pair clawed back two points, prompting a strategic timeout from the Japanese. Yoshimura responded well, holding his serve and breaking the Chinese momentum to claim the third game 11-7, keeping the match alive.
Yoshimura and Odo carried their momentum into the fourth game, using smart angles and tactical play to gain the upper hand. Just when it seemed the tide had turned, a loose shot from Yoshimura allowed Sun and Wang to level at 8-8. The Chinese duo then surged ahead, setting up two match points at 10-8. With Sun on serve, the defending champions closed out the match in style, securing their third consecutive title with a final score of 11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8.
The gripping 39-minute battle for the Heydusek Cup showcased high-quality table tennis, with both pairs delivering a thrilling contest. As Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin celebrate yet another triumph, they further cement their legacy as a dominant force in mixed doubles.
MEN’S SINGLES
Hugo Calderano Creates History, Becomes First South American in World Championship Final
Hugo Calderano battled fiercely for a place in the final against China’s No. 5 seed, Liang Jingkun. The World Cup winner found himself on the back foot early, trailing 6-9 in the opening game. But he responded with deceptive angles, pushing Liang Jingkun into the corners and forcing errors. The set became a tense affair, with Calderano edging ahead. Liang Jingkun saved five game points, but Calderano finally clinched it 15-13 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal.
The second game was equally intense, but Calderano remained sharp, using spin, angles, and changes in pace to overpower his opponent, sealing it 11-7. In the third, Liang Jingkun took a 5-3 lead before Calderano fought back to go 6-5, forcing the Chinese player to call a timeout. The break proved beneficial, allowing Liang Jingkun to regroup and take the set 11-8, keeping himself in the match.
Calderano came out firing in the fourth, surging to a 5-1 lead with a masterful blend of slow spin and speed. Extending his advantage to 9-5, he looked poised for another win, but as Liang Jingkun closed the gap to two points, Calderano took a timeout. The brief pause worked, helping the Brazilian reclaim control and push ahead 3-1 in the match.
Liang Jingkun responded emphatically in the fifth, racing to an unassailable 7-0 lead and comfortably securing the game 11-3. The momentum continued to shift as he claimed a tightly contested sixth set 11-7, leveling the match at 3-3 and setting up a dramatic decider.
The final game saw Calderano struggle with unforced errors early, falling behind 0-3. But he quickly recovered, winning five consecutive points—including the shot of the tournament—to turn the tide. The change of ends favoured Calderano, as he surged to a 10-3 lead. It was mind blowing display by the Brazilian winning ten points in a row. Liang Jingkun saved six match points, making for a nerve-wracking finish, but Calderano held firm to claim victory in a marathon battle: 15-13, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 3-11, 7-11, 11-9.
With the win, Calderano makes history as the first South American to win a medal and reach a World Championship final. He will face Wang Chuqin, whom he defeated in the World Cup semi-finals last month in Macau.
Wang Chuqin Edges Out Moregardh in a Nail-Biting Semi-Final Thriller
A capacity crowd at Lusail Sports Arena witnessed an electrifying table tennis showdown between World No. 2 Wang Chuqin of China and Sweden’s No. 7 seed Truls Moregardh. Both players had been in similar positions before—Moregardh was a runner-up in 2021, while Wang was aiming for redemption after falling short in last year’s final.
The Swede struck first in the seven-game semi-final, grabbing an early advantage. But Wang responded emphatically, taking the next two games to go up 2-1. The fourth set proved to be a pivotal moment, with Moregardh initially gaining a 5-2 lead. However, Wang fought back, levelling the score at 5-5 before edging ahead 7-6. Sensing the urgency, Moregardh called for a strategic timeout, which seemed to work as he secured four consecutive points to lead 10-8. Yet, Wang remained unfazed, saving two game points and converting one of his own to take the set 12-10 and extend his lead to 3-1.
With momentum firmly on his side, Wang surged ahead in the fifth set, building a commanding 8-3 lead. The crowd rallied behind him as he looked unstoppable, but Moregardh showcased his resilience, cutting the deficit to 8-6. It was then Wang’s turn for a timeout, allowing him to regroup. He swiftly pushed to 10-6, setting up four match points. Moregardh responded with remarkable grit, erasing all four and forcing a tense deuce. In a dramatic finish, Wang, benefitting from a lucky net chord, finally converted his fifth match point, sealing a hard-fought 5-11, 11-8, 11-2, 12-10, 12-10 victory.
The gripping 45-minute battle kept the roaring crowd on edge as both players displayed skill, determination, and unwavering spirit. With this win, Wang Chuqin stands as the highest-ranked contender left in the draw and will now set his sights on the championship title on Sunday.
WOMEN’S SINGLES
Sun Yingsha Marches into the Final with Dominant Display
The women’s singles played out as expected, with defending champion and World No. 1 Sun Yingsha cruising toward her 25th career title. Up against her was Japan’s No. 8 seed, Mima Ito, but the reigning champion wasted no time asserting her authority.
From the outset, Sun Yingsha dictated the pace, swiftly wrapping up the opening two games 11-7, 11-5. Ito showed resilience in the third, calling a timeout at 7-9 and battling back to level the score at 9-9. However, her efforts fell short, as Sun Yingsha kept her composure to take the set 11-9, putting herself firmly in control.
Facing a do-or-die situation, Ito searched for a way to shift the momentum, but Sun Yingsha’s ruthless play left her with few openings. With every attempt to break through falling short, Ito found herself outmanoeuvred as the reigning champion closed out the match with clinical precision.
Wang Manyu Storms into the Final with Commanding Win Over Chen Xingtong
Wang Manyu and Chen Xingtong faced off in a high-stakes battle for a place in the final, marking their 23rd international encounter. With Wang Manyu leading their head-to-head record 15-7, she entered the match well-prepared and determined to assert her dominance.
Chen Xingtong’s strategy of targeting Wang Manyu’s mid-section proved ineffective, as the No. 2 seed expertly countered with her pivot forehand, dictating the pace of the match. Wang Manyu secured the first three games convincingly, including a crushing 11-2 win in the third. Maintaining her momentum, she wrapped up the fourth game 11-8, sealing her place in the final and avenging her defeat to Chen Xingtong at the WTT Champions Chongqing earlier this year.
With this emphatic victory, Wang Manyu now sets her sights on the championship, determined to add another prestigious title to her record.
WOMEN’S DOUBLES
Wang Manyu and Kuai Man Dominate to Reach the Final
The No. 2 seeded Chinese duo of Wang Manyu and Kuai Man faced off against Japan’s No. 4 seed, Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara, in a highly anticipated semi-final clash. The Japanese pair started strong, racing to a 5-1 lead in the opening game. However, Wang and Kuai quickly regrouped, levelling the score at 6-6 before pulling ahead to take a three-point lead. The momentum shifted decisively, and the Chinese pair clinched the first game 11-8 to go 1-0 up.
With confidence soaring, Wang Manyu and Kuai Man found their rhythm, cruising through the second game 11-6 to extend their advantage to 2-0. Their left-hand–right-hand combination proved too powerful for the Japanese duo, who struggled to match their precision and dominance. By the third game, Wang and Kuai were in complete control, sealing the match 11-8, 11-6, 11-5 to book their spot in the final.
This marks Wang Manyu’s fourth appearance in the women’s doubles event at the World Championships, where she has already secured two gold medals. With their sights set on another title, the Chinese pair will look to continue their stellar run in the final.
Bernadette Szocs and Sofia Polcanova Secure Historic Final Berth
Romania’s Bernadette Szocs and Austria’s Sofia Polcanova, the No. 10 seeded doubles pair, battled past Republic of Korea’s No. 7 seed, Shin Yubin and Ryu Hanna, to earn their first-ever spot in the World Table Tennis Championships final.
The European stalwarts made a strong start, claiming the opening game 11-5. However, Shin Yubin and Ryu Hanna responded fiercely, levelling the match at 1-1. Polcanova’s brilliant shot-making gave her team the edge in the third set, as they clinched it 11-8 to take a 2-1 lead. In the fourth game, the Korean pair adjusted their tactics, pulling Polcanova into wide positions to exploit her reach. While Szocs and Polcanova fought back to level at 6-6, Shin and Ryu surged ahead 10-7 with three game points. Despite a valiant effort from the European team to save two game points, a well-timed timeout from the Koreans allowed them to close out the set, bringing the match to 2-2.
With each intense rally in the decisive final game, the players’ shouts grew louder, echoing their determination and unwavering fight for victory.
The Koreans led 5-3 before the Europeans called for a timeout, which proved crucial. The pause and the change of ends shifted the momentum as Szocs and Polcanova levelled at 5-5 and slowly pulled ahead. Extending their lead to 9-6 and then 10-7, they earned three match points. Shin Yubin and Ryu Hanna saved two, but the final moment belonged to Szocs and Polcanova, who sealed their maiden entry into the final with a thrilling victory.
Reflecting on their achievement, Polcanova expressed deep emotion, saying, “I am really quite emotional right now, and I am happy to be in the finals of the World Championships.”
Szocs acknowledged that her strong bond with Polcanova, both on and off the table, played a crucial role in their success, allowing them to uplift each other and perform at their best.
MEN’S DOUBLES
Lebrun Brothers Falter as Kao Cheng-Jui and Lin Yun-Ju March Into Final
Kao Cheng-Jui and Lin Yun-Ju continued their impressive campaign at the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships, securing a hard-fought victory over the top-ranked French duo of Felix and Alexis Lebrun. Demonstrating a well-balanced strategy, Kao’s powerful shots from deep in the court complemented Lin’s precise play near the table, allowing them to dictate the match early establishing a 2-0 lead.
The Lebrun brothers responded by taking the third game. The fourth game appeared poised for a decisive fifth set, with the Frenchmen holding a 9-6 advantage. However, Kao and Lin showcased remarkable composure, winning five consecutive points to clinch the game 11-9 and secure their place in the final.
They will now face the Japanese World No. 2 pairing of Hiroto Shinozuka and Shunsuke Togami, who made it to the final courtesy of a walkover from the second French pairing of Florian Bourrassaud and Esteban Dorr.
