Incheon, March 29, 2024, The Europe Today: In a remarkable display of skill and dominance, Chinese paddlers asserted their supremacy at the WTT Champions Incheon, securing all seven quarterfinal spots in a thrilling display of table tennis prowess.
In the men’s singles category, world No. 3 Liang Jingkun showcased his resilience by staging a remarkable comeback against Slovenian Darko Jorgic, triumphing 3-1 (7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-7). Reflecting on his victory, Liang attributed his success to thorough preparation and a strategic adjustment of mindset after dropping the first game.
Joining Liang in the quarterfinals, third seed Ma Long demonstrated his formidable skills, overcoming South Korean contender Lim Jong-hoon with a 3-1 victory. Additionally, top seed Fan Zhendong showcased his class, securing a berth in the next round.
In the women’s singles division, world No. 1 Sun Yingsha exhibited her dominance with a commanding performance against Swedish paddler Linda Bergstrom, clinching a spot in the quarterfinals with an 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 13-11 victory. Sun acknowledged the tactical challenge posed by her opponent but credited her composure in crucial moments for securing the win.
Meanwhile, third-seeded Wang Yidi displayed her prowess by defeating Romanian Elizabeta Samara, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Austrian paddler Sofia Polcanova.
In other notable encounters, world No. 4 Chen Meng delivered a convincing victory against Japan’s Miwa Harimoto, while second-seeded Wang Manyu triumphed over Chinese Taipei player Cheng I-Ching.
The WTT Champions Incheon, serving as the inaugural event of the 2024 calendar, has attracted the world’s top players to compete for a prize pool of 300,000 U.S. dollars. Not only do the champions stand to claim the prestigious title, but they will also earn 1,000 ITTF world ranking points each.
The stage is set for an exhilarating continuation of the tournament, as the world’s finest table tennis athletes vie for glory and accolades on the Incheon battleground.
