China’s Wang Chuqin Dominates First Round at World Table Tennis Championships
China’s World No. 2 Wang Chuqin showcased his exceptional talent at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Table Tennis Championships Finals in Doha, Qatar. On Saturday night, Wang delivered a commanding performance against the USA’s 18-year-old Nandan Naresh in the men’s singles first round.
Wang controlled the match effortlessly, leaving Naresh with little room to challenge. The one-sided affair concluded with decisive scores of 11-6, 11-4, 11-2, and 11-4. A pivotal moment occurred when Wang successfully challenged a service call using a video review after an offering was initially ruled as illegally angled.
“I have confidence in my serves,” said Wang, who is aiming for his first world title in men’s singles competition in Doha.
In other matches, China’s World No. 5 Liang Jingkun advanced to the second round by defeating Ham Yu Song from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in five games with scores of 14-12, 11-6, 10-12, 11-3, and 11-8.
However, Xue Fei became the first Chinese player to be eliminated. The only member of the delegation employing a penhold grip, Xue squandered a two-game lead, allowing Japan’s Hiroto Shinozuka to mount a comeback and secure victory with scores of 9-11, 9-11, 13-11, 16-14, 14-12, and 11-4.
The world’s most renowned penholder, France’s sixth-ranked Félix Lebrun, eased past Slovakia’s Ľubomír Pištej in straight games, winning 11-7, 11-5, 11-9, and 11-8.
Earlier in the women’s singles, China’s top-ranked Sun Yingsha cruised past Ukraine’s Veronika Matiunina, ranked No. 216, with scores of 11-5, 11-6, 11-5, and 11-7.
“My performance is normal,” said Sun, the defending world champion and two-time Olympic runner-up. “I didn’t know much about my opponent, but her serve is good, and her style is unique for an 18-year-old.”
Sun will next face either Lucia Zavaleta of Costa Rica or Pyon Song Gyong from the DPRK, players known for exceeding expectations.
“My second-round opponent might be very strong. I will be preparing for a tough match,” she added.
China’s World No. 3 Chen Xingtong also made a strong start, beating South Africa’s Rochica Sonday in straight games with scores of 11-7, 11-4, 11-3, and 11-1.
In men’s doubles, Liang Jingkun teamed up with Huang Youzheng to sweep aside the Canadian pair Simeon Martin and Edward Ly in straight games. Meanwhile, Lin Gaoyuan and Lin Shidong defeated Italy’s John Oyebode and Carlo Rossi, also in straight games.
Lin Gaoyuan continued his success by pairing with Kuai Man in mixed doubles. The duo progressed to the second round after defeating England’s Liam Pitchford and Wales’ Anna Hursey in straight games.
