China's Wang Chuqin to compete for WTT Finals men's singles title

The World Table Tennis (WTT) Finals in Fukuoka, Japan, continued as Chinese World No. 1 Wang Chuqin advanced to the men's singles final on Saturday. Meanwhile, Wang Manyu and Chen Xingtong will set up an all-Chinese showdown in the women's singles final.

From the singles' semifinals onward, the tournament adopts a best-of-seven format. In the men's singles, China's Lin Shidong faced Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto. Historically, Lin had been at a disadvantage in their previous matchups.

Teenager Lin displayed excellent form in the first two games, capitalizing on Harimoto's inconsistent serves to score multiple points on the counterattack, quickly taking a 2-0 lead with scores of 11-6 and 11-3. Trailing behind, Harimoto adjusted his strategy, incorporating more forehand plays and varied shot placement to level the match. Each player then claimed another game, leading to a decisive seventh game.

In the final game, the two traded leads, reaching a 9-9 tie. Lin earned a match point at 10-9 but failed to capitalize, allowing Harimoto to rally and win three consecutive points, sealing the match 12-10 and advancing with a 4-3 victory.

"Trailing 2-0, I tried to rely more on forehand shots and adjusted my tactics," Harimoto said. "I brought everything I had, my skills, my strategies into this match. This was probably the most intense game I've ever played; I feel like I've used up all my mental and physical energy. It's exhausting."

In the other men's semifinals match, top seed Wang defeated Slovenia's Darko Jorgic 4-1. Notably, in the fifth game, Wang overcame a 8-5 deficit with a six-point streak to clinch the match. Reflecting on his performance, Wang said he stayed composed during the deficit, noting that his comeback shifted his opponent's mentality.

"I treat every match as if it's my last," Wang said of the coming title match. "I hadn't anticipated reaching the final, but of course, everyone wants the title. For me, it's about staying calm, giving it my all, and performing at my best."

The women's singles semifinals featured thrilling contests. No. 2 seed Wang Manyu faced Romania's Bernadette Szocs in a rollercoaster match. Wang dominated early, leveraging aggressive play on her opponent's forehand to take a 3-0 lead. However, Szocs mounted a spirited comeback, winning three consecutive games to force a decider. In the final game, Wang regained her composure and played steadily, securing a 4-3 victory.

"I was leading 3-0 in total and 9-6 in the fourth game, yet it still went to the seventh," Wang said. "This showed I encountered some issues during the match. But managing to win in such a dramatic situation is something I can be proud of."

The other semifinals match was an all-Chinese affair between Chen Xingtong and Wang Yidi. Chen claimed four straight games all by 11-9 to set up a final against Wang Manyu.