Wang, Chen storm into WTT Champions quarterfinals in Chongqing

Former World No. 1 Wang Chuqin advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTT Champions event in Chongqing with a 3-0 victory over Frenchman Alexis Lebrun on Friday night.

Lebrun, who had recently made an impressive semifinal run at last month's Singapore Smash 2025, saw his momentum halted by Wang, who is eager to reclaim the top position in the ITTF Table Tennis World Rankings after having slipped to World No. 2 following an impressive 47-week reign at the top.

From the outset, both players exhibited an aggressive playing style, with Wang quickly establishing a lead. Lebrun fought fiercely, and the two engaged in several thrilling rallies, but as the first game neared its conclusion, Wang seized the opportunity to take it 11-8.

In the second game, after leading 9-5, Wang's errors allowed Lebrun to close the gap to just one point, prompting head coach Wang Hao to call a timeout. The game continued to a nail-biting 11-all, where Wang executed a brilliant attack to win 13-11, giving him a 2-0 overall lead.

The third game started with both players tied at 4-4, but Wang effectively stifled his opponent's counterattacks, ultimately securing the game 11-6 and sealing a 3-0 victory over Lebrun to progress to the quarterfinals, where Wang will face Swedish world No. 7 Truls Moregard.

On the women's side, Chen Xingtong got past South Korea's Shin Yu-bin. The opener was tight, with both players locked at 9-9 and then 10-10. However, fourth seeded Chen was the one to stand the pressure and unleashed an aggressive attack to score two consecutive points and clinch the first game 12-10.

The second game saw Shin struggle with her returns, allowing Chen to level the score at 8-8, forcing Shin to call a timeout. But following the break, it's Chen who adjusted her rythmn and regained her momentum, hitting three straight points to win the game 11-8. Chen then dominated the third, racing to a 8-0 lead before sealing the match 11-1 and advancing to the quarterfinals, where she will take on compatriot Kuai Man.