Doha, Qatar – Upsets marked the quarter-final stage of the WTT Champions table tennis tournament at the Lusail Sports Hall yesterday, as Germany’s Ying Han defeated top seed Wang Manyu and South Korea’s Jang Woojin ousted world No. 5 Truls Moregard. The event, part of the 31st Qatar International Table Tennis Championship, continues today with the semi-final matches and culminates in the finals.
The day’s biggest shock came as Han, ranked 22nd globally, overcame world No. 2 Wang Manyu in a thrilling seven-game match, 3-4 (11-6, 4-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6). Meanwhile, on the men’s side, top-seeded Lin Shidong of China narrowly avoided an upset, securing his place in the semi-finals.
Dramatic Upsets Highlight WTT Champions Quarter-Finals
Han’s victory over Manyu was a testament to her resilience and tactical play. After taking the first game, Han faced a strong response from the Chinese star, but consistently fought back, ultimately capitalizing on crucial points in the deciding game. According to Han, her goal was simply to win two games against Manyu, a feat she had never accomplished before. This unexpected win propels Han into a semi-final showdown against Zhu Yuling.
Additionally, Zhu Yuling advanced to the semi-finals after a 4-2 victory (11-5, 11-9, 11-13, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8) against Wang Yidi. Chen Xingtong also secured her spot in the semi-finals, defeating Miwa Harimoto 4-3 in a closely contested match. Kuai Man completed the women’s semi-final lineup with a 4-1 win over Miyu Nagasaki.
Men’s Competition Sees Shidong Survive, Woojin Shine
Lin Shidong experienced a tougher-than-expected quarter-final against compatriot Liang Jingkun, ultimately prevailing 4-2 (11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9). The match showcased intense rallies and strategic gameplay from both players. Shidong will now face Jang Woojin, who delivered a stunning performance against Truls Moregard.
Woojin’s dominant display against Moregard, winning 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 12-10), was a major surprise. The South Korean player’s aggressive style and precise shot-making proved too much for the Swedish star. Japan’s Tomakazu Harimoto also advanced, defeating Feliz Lebrun 4-2, and will compete against either Sora Matsushima or Lin Yun-Ju in the semi-finals.
The table tennis action at the Lusail Sports Hall continues to draw significant attention, showcasing the high level of competition within the sport. The tournament is attracting a global audience and highlighting the growing popularity of ping pong internationally.
Following the WTT Champions event, the Lusail Sports Hall will host the WTT Contender Junior tournament from January 19-22, followed by the WTT Star Contender Junior from January 23-25. The month-long series will conclude with the WTT Feeder Doha 2026 Tournament from January 27-31. The outcomes of these junior events will be closely watched as they may indicate emerging talent and future stars in the world of table tennis.
