In Las Vegas, Chinese paddlers shone brightly at the World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash, securing two doubles titles and advancing to key finals.
Chinese duo Lin Shidong and Kuai Man claimed the mixed doubles gold, defeating South Korea’s Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin in straight games 13-11, 16-14, 11-6. This victory marked the first title for China at the tournament. The bronze medals were shared by Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem of China’s Hong Kong and Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching of Chinese Taipei.
In the women’s doubles, Kuai Man continued her winning streak alongside Wang Yidi. The pair overcame compatriots Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu in a thrilling five-game match, finishing 14-16, 11-5, 11-6, 8-11, 9-11.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Lim Jong-hoon teamed up with An Jae-hyun to clinch the men’s doubles gold, defeating French brothers Alexis and Felix Lebrun 4-11, 13-11, 11-5, 11-6.
On the singles front, China’s rising star Chen Yi stunned spectators by reaching the women’s singles final. She edged out fifth-seeded Kuai Man in a nail-biting seven-game match, with scores of 6-11, 11-3, 3-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-1, 11-9. Chen, who navigated four deciders in five matches, will face Zhu Yuling of China’s Macao in the final. Zhu secured her spot by defeating Japan’s seventh seed Mima Ito 11-6, 11-9, 6-11, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8.
In the men’s singles, China’s second seed Wang Chuqin advanced to the final after a hard-fought seven-game battle against Felix Lebrun, winning 11-9, 5-11, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9.
