China moved past the USA 8-1 at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Tuesday, to conclude their Group One campaign.
Lin Shidong and Wang Yidi played first for the hosts in the mixed doubles match, and put China ahead 3-0 after sweeping past Kayla Goodwin and Nandan Naresh 11-3, 11-7, 11-8.
Sun Yingsha beat Jessi Reyes Lai 3-0 to help China defeat the USA 8-1 in Group One of the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, December 3, 2024. /ITTF
In the women's singles match, World No. 1 Sun Yingsha claimed a routine 11-6, 11-2, 11-3 win over Jessica Reyes Lai to double China's advantage to 6-0.
The men's singles match followed, as Lin Shidong fought from behind to put away Sid Naresh 9-11, 11-4, 11-2 and wrap up the 8-1 victory for China.
The 19-year-old Lin rose quickly to world number two this year, after winning five titles in World Table Tennis competitions. He shook off a sluggish start in Chengdu to level the first game at 7-7, and then 9-9, after Naresh led both times. But the American deprived China of a perfect run in the point tally Group One after taking the opening game 11-9.
Lin regained his composure to jump out to an early lead in the second game, and prevailed 11-4, before wrapping things up 11-2 in the third game.
The victory marked China's third consecutive win at the tournament, after beating India and Australia without dropping a game in their first two contests, which was enough to send the event hosts to the next phase.