Wang Chuqin sparks resurgence as China thwarts Romania to reach quarterfinals

Wang Chuqin showcased his dominance with two crucial wins, leading China to a 3-1 victory over Romania on Wednesday and securing a spot in the men's team quarterfinals at the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championship Finals.

China encountered an early setback when Liang Jingkun fell to Romania's Eduard Ionescu, the nation's top-ranked player, with a score of 11-5, 11-7, 11-6.

The ever-reliable Wang, currently world No. 1, quickly restored balance to the contest. He faced Iulian Chirita, overcoming a 5-1 deficit in the second game to edge it 12-10 after taking the first 11-5 and sealing the match with an 11-5 victory.

Lin Shidong then put China ahead, dispatching Ovidiu Ionescu with a convincing 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 win.  

With the momentum firmly on their side, Wang faced Ionescu in the decisive match. Despite a brief challenge when Ionescu closed an 8-2 gap to within one point, Wang held firm to take the first game 11-8. After Ionescu equalized at 11-8 in the second, Wang unleashed his fury, winning the last two games decisively at 11-3 and 11-4.

China will face the Republic of Korea in the quarterfinals.

On the women's side, China continued to assert its dominance, sweeping Sweden 3-0 without losing a single game in the round of 16.

Sun Yingsha opened the proceedings with a commanding victory over Swedish chopper Linda Bergstrom, winning 11-3, 11-4, 11-4. Wang Manyu followed suit, overwhelming Christina Kallberg after only conceding eight points, finishing her match 11-5, 11-0, 11-3.

In their first head-to-head clash, Wang Yidi outperformed Sweden's Filippa Bergand, securing a swift 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 win to clinch the tie.

The Chinese women's team is also set to take on the ROK in the quarterfinals, who outclassed Singapore 3-1 in their own matchup.