Wang survives scare to reach men's last 16 at WTT China Smash

Wang Chuqin of China celebrates after winning the men's singles round of 32 match against Milosz Redzimski of Poland at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

World No. 1 Wang Chuqin emerged victorious in a five-game battle against Poland's Milosz Redzimski to advance to the men's singles last 16 at the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash on Wednesday.

Facing the 45th-ranked Redzimski in their first head-to-head, Wang took the first two games 11-7, 11-4. Seemingly headed for a comfortable win, the top seed fell into an 8-2 hole in the third game, rallied with seven straight points for a 9-8 edge, but lost 12-10.

With two Table Tennis Review calls going against him, Wang dropped the fourth game 11-8 and trailed 4-2 in the decider.

He then reeled off three points in a row to move ahead 8-5. Redzimski pulled back to 9-8, but amid loud home support Wang held firm to close out an 11-8 victory, avoiding another round-of-32 exit at the event after last year.

Later on Wednesday, Wang will partner Lin Shidong in the men's doubles round of 16, and Sun Yingsha in the mixed doubles quarterfinals.

Wang was joined in the last 16 by Liang Jingkun, who rallied past Lin Gaoyuan 3-1 in an all-Chinese clash.

Liang led their head-to-head 9-3 before Wednesday's match. "We have played against each other for many years. It seems that every time the draw makes us together," Liang said after his win.

Lin took the early initiative, breaking a 7-7 tie with three points in a row to take the opening game 11-8.

Liang then turned the match around with powerful attacks, winning 13-11, 11-9, 11-5 to seal victory.

Instead of focusing on his own performance, Liang asked the crowd to applaud Lin. "He has worked so hard for Team China in many years," Liang commented.

In women's singles, second seed Wang Manyu beat India's Manika Batra 11-6, 11-5, 11-7, while Kuai Man defeated Welsh qualifier Anna Hursey in straight games to reach the last 16.

Also on Wednesday, China's Yuan Licen and Wang Yidi beat Swedish duo Kristian Karlsson and Christina Kallberg 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-5) in the mixed doubles quarterfinals.

In men's doubles, Zhou Qihao and Chen Junsong upset third-seeded An Jae-hyun and Lim Jong-hoon of South Korea in straight games.

Liang Jingkun of China hits a return during the men's singles round of 32 match between Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan of China at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Coach Wang Hao instructs Wang Chuqin of China during the men's singles round of 32 match against Milosz Redzimski of Poland at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Milosz Redzimski of Poland hits a return during the men's singles round of 32 match against Milosz Redzimski of Poland at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Wang Chuqin of China serves during the men's singles round of 32 match against Milosz Redzimski of Poland at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Milosz Redzimski of Poland serves during the men's singles round of 32 match against Milosz Redzimski of Poland at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Wang Chuqin of China hits a return during the men's singles round of 32 match against Milosz Redzimski of Poland at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Milosz Redzimski of Poland reacts during the men's singles round of 32 match against Milosz Redzimski of Poland at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Liang Jingkun (R) of China celebrates a score during the men's singles round of 32 match between Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan of China at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Liang Jingkun (R) of China reacts during the men's singles round of 32 match between Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan of China at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Wang Chuqin of China hits a return during the men's singles round of 32 match against Milosz Redzimski of Poland at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Liang Jingkun of China celebrates a score during the men's singles round of 32 match between Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan of China at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Lin Gaoyuan of China reacts during the men's singles round of 32 match between Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan of China at 2025 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing, China, Oct. 1st, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)