Home paddlers capture two more doubles titles at WTT China Smash

Wang Chuqin and Lin Shidong won the men's doubles championship, while Wang Manyu and Kuai Man topped the podium on the women's side, to add two more titles for the host nation at the WTT (World Table Tennis) China Smash in Beijing on Saturday.

Top-seeded pair Wang Chuqin and Lin defeated Chinese compatriots Zhou Qihao and Chen Junsong 11-8, 13-11, 11-7 in the men's doubles final. Wang and Lin stayed in control for most of the match, but Zhou and Chen caused them a bit of trouble after knotting up the second game at 11-11, before conceding two straight points to fall into a 2-0 overall hole.

"This is our second time playing together in a WTT Grand Smash event," Wang said. "Compared to last time, our communication and understanding in the doubles event have improved."

On the women's side, Wang Manyu and Kuai battled from behind to overcome Japan's Hina Hayata and South Korea's Joo Cheon-hui in four games 6-11, 11-8, 13-11, 12-10 to claim top honors.

After dropping the first game, the home pair made quick adjustments and took the second game to level the contest. They then saved four game points to clinch the third and snatch a 2-1 overall advantage.

The fourth game remained close, with the two sides level at 10-10 after the first 20 points, before Wang and Kuai converted two consecutive points to seal the deal.

"Honestly, I didn't play very well and conceded many unforced errors today," Kuai said. "Manyu kept encouraging me to execute my attacks. After rallying for a win in the third game, my form got better in the fourth."

"Despite winning the title, we have a lot to summarize," Wang said. "As a pair, when one player does not feel well, the other one needs to step up."