Doha, Qatar – The WTT Star Contender Doha 2026 witnessed a series of upsets and thrilling matches yesterday at the Lusail Sports Arena, culminating in title wins for South Korea and Japan in the doubles events. Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov delivered the biggest shock in the men’s singles, defeating top-seeded Lin Shidong en route to a semi-final berth. The tournament, featuring 170 players from around the globe, is offering a $300,000 prize purse and is a key event in the international table tennis calendar.
The competition continues today with the men’s and women’s singles semi-finals, determining the finalists in those categories. The event follows the successful WTT Champions Doha 2026 and marks the second stop in the 31st Qatar International Table Tennis Series.
Ovtcharov Stuns Top Seed in Men’s Singles Table Tennis Action
Dimitrij Ovtcharov, ranked 26th in the world, proved that form is temporary with a stunning 3-1 victory over China’s Lin Shidong. Ovtcharov secured the win with scores of 11-9, 11-9, 3-11, and 11-9, showcasing resilience and tactical prowess. He continued his impressive run, narrowly defeating eighth seed Jang Woojin of South Korea 3-2 (9-11, 12-10, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7) in the quarter-finals.
Other notable results in the men’s singles included Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto, seeded third, falling to China’s Xue Fei in a five-game match (11-3, 5-11, 11-6, 12-14, 11-9). Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, currently ranked third globally, also advanced, overcoming Simon Gauzy 3-1 (3-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-8).
Calderano will face Wen Ruibo of China, who defeated Xue Fei 3-1 (11-6, 11-2, 12-14, 11-6). Zhou Qihao, another Chinese competitor, will challenge Ovtcharov for a place in the final. These matches highlight the growing competitiveness within the sport, with players from diverse nations challenging the traditional dominance of China.
Women’s Singles See Upsets and Strong Performances
The women’s singles draw also saw unexpected outcomes. Japan’s Hitomi Sato delivered a commanding performance, eliminating top seed Doo Hoi Kem 3-0 (13-11, 11-9, 11-7). Sato continued her winning streak with a decisive 3-0 victory over Kim Nayeong (11-8, 11-1, 11-4) in the quarter-finals.
Adriana Diaz edged past Chen Yi in a closely contested five-game match (11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 10-12, 11-4). Satsuki Odo also secured a semi-final spot, winning 3-2 against Shin Yubin (11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 4-11, 11-3). Zhu Yuling completed the semi-final lineup with a 3-2 win over Saki Shibata (7-11, 11-5, 11-7, 2-11, 11-7).
Doubles Champions Crowned at WTT Star Contender Doha
The men’s doubles final saw Jang Woojin and Cho Daeseong of South Korea triumph over China’s Huang Youzheng and Wen Ruibo in a thrilling five-game encounter (5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 11-9). The match lasted 39 minutes and 42 seconds, demonstrating the high level of skill and endurance on display.
In the women’s doubles, Sakura Yokoi and Satsuki Odo secured the title in an all-Japanese final, defeating Hitomi Sato and Saki Shibata 3-0 (12-10, 11-4, 11-9). The match concluded in just under 26 minutes, showcasing Yokoi and Odo’s dominance. This success for Japanese players in the doubles events is a notable development in the sport.
Following the conclusion of the Star Contender event, the focus will shift to youth competition with the WTT Youth Contender beginning tomorrow, January 21st, and running through January 22nd. The WTT Star Contender Youth event will then be held from January 23rd to 25th, concluding the series with a Feeder tournament scheduled from January 27th to 31st. Organizers will be looking to build on the success of the current event and further promote the sport of table tennis to a wider audience.
The upcoming youth tournaments are expected to showcase emerging talent and provide a platform for the next generation of table tennis stars.
