China's Wang/Kuai Claim Women's Doubles Title At WTT China Smash

Chinas Wang/Kuai claim womens doubles title at WTT China Smash (Chinas Wang/Kuai claim womens doubles title in the 2026 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing on Saturday. Photo credit: Xinhua)

World Table Tennis:  China's Wang Manyu and Kuai Man defeated Japanese pair Miwa Harimoto and Hina Hayata 13-11, 11-2, 9-11, 11-7 in the women's doubles final at the 2026 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash on Saturday.

The home pair clinched victory in 38 minutes to retain their title at the tournament.

"I felt delighted to win the doubles title again with Manyu. Whatever happens, I tried to perform my best, stay active, and become decisive in returns," said the 22-year-old Kuai after the final.

"From the Asian Games to the China Smash, we've competed with Japanese players many times recently, during which we continue to accumulate experience," said Wang.

Later in the women's singles semifinals, top seed Wang, 27, beat Harimoto 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8. Wang will face Hitomi Sato in the final after Sato saw off China's Chen Xingtong 2-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8, reports Xinhua.

Looking ahead, Wang said mentality would be key. "Sato showed her great form to reach the final as a chopper. I lost the last match against her, so I will adjust my mindset and fight to the end," she said.

In the men's doubles final, South Korea's Lim Jong-hoon and Oh Jun-sung defeated French pair Alexis Lebrun and Felix Lebrun 11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9 to win the title.

The men's and women's singles finals will take place on Sunday.

Earlier, top seed Wang Manyu of China advanced to the women's singles semifinals on Friday, sweeping South Korea's Shin Yu-bin 4-0. Wang extended her winning streak against Shin to eight matches, triumphing 11-8, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9 in half an hour.

Wang's compatriot Chen Xingtong rallied from two games down to eliminate Japanese chopper Honoka Hashimoto 5-11, 8-11, 11-2, 12-10, 11-3, 11-6, securing her first win in their third encounter.

China's Wang Yidi squandered a two-game lead in a 4-2 defeat to Japan's Miwa Harimoto, while compatriot Zhu Sibing lost 4-1 to Japan's Hitomi Sato in a matchup between two defensive players.

Wang's compatriot Chen Xingtong rallied from two games down to eliminate Japanese chopper Honoka Hashimoto 5-11, 8-11, 11-2, 12-10, 11-3, 11-6, securing her first win in their third encounter.

Article Source: IANS