Lin Shidong (L) of China competes against Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan in a men's singles match at the Wolrd Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Macao in China's Macao Special Administrative Region, September 12, 2024. /CFP
Four Chinese players – Lin Shidong, Wang Chuqin, Wang Yidi and Chen Xingtong – advanced to the quarterfinals at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Macao in China's Macao Special Administrative Region after defeating their respective opponents on Thursday.
Lin beat Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan 15-13, 9-11, 11-9, 4-11, 11-8 in the men's singles round of 16.
"I think both of us played well today," Lin told reporters after his victory. "We have played each other three times, all in five games. Our matches are always close and I'm glad I won today." He will take on Lin Yun-ju of Chinese Taipei next.
Wang Chuqin defeated his compatriot Xu Yingbin 11-7, 12-10, 11-9 to move forward at the tournament. He will face Cho Dae-seong of South Korea in the quarterfinals. If both Wang Chuqin and Lin win on Friday, they will meet each other in the semifinals.
Wang Yidi of China competes against Bruna Takahashi of Brazil in a women's singles match at the Wolrd Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Macao in China's Macao Special Administrative Region, September 12, 2024. /CFP
On the women's side, Wang Yidi swept past Bruna Takahashi of Brazil 11-6, 11-3, 11-6 in the round of 16 on Thursday. Chen came from behind to knock out Linda Bergstrom of Sweden 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-4.
Both Wang Yidi and Chen will face Japanese opponents in the quarterfinals. Wang Yidi will compete against Miyuu Kihara for a spot in last four while Chen will play Miwa Harimoto.
World No.1 Sun Yingsha of China will clash with Joo Cheon-hui of South Korea in Friday's quarterfinals while Wang Manyu will battle Cheng I-ching of Chinese Taipei. The four Chinese paddlers can claim all four semifinal spots if each player wins her last-eight contest.