Wang Chuqin of China competes during the men's singles round of 16 match between Wang Chuqin of China and Anders Lind of Denmark at the WTT United States Smash 2026 in Ontario, California, the United States, July 2, 2026. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)
LOS ANGELES, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Denmark's Anders Lind produced another career-defining performance here on Thursday, knocking out defending champion and world No. 1 Wang Chuqin, as no Chinese reached the men's singles quarterfinals at the World Table Tennis United States Smash.
Lind, who had stunned Wang two years ago at China Smash 2024, repeated the feat with a 3-1 victory, ending Wang's bid to become the first men's singles player to win three consecutive WTT Grand Smash titles.
The 15th-ranked Dane came out firing, taking four of the opening five points and seizing the first game 13-11 after saving a game point. He then raced through the second game 11-2, leaving the defending champion with a mountain to climb. Wang fought back to take the third 11-8, but Lind kept his composure down the stretch, closing out the fourth 11-7.
"I feel euphoric, that's the best description," Lind said. "I feel like I'm in a state of pure happiness, I'm extremely proud.
"It was a tough match, especially in the last game where I started with a lead, playing very well. Then I got a little bit nervous, made a few decisions that, looking back, I should have made a little bit differently, but I didn't let it make me angry. I kept thinking about what I could do for the next point and I managed to narrow squeeze the game home."
Wang's exit was followed by Lin Shidong's defeat to France's Alexis Lebrun in straight games, bringing an end to China's men's singles campaign at this year's tournament.
Hours before his singles defeat, Wang had partnered Sun Yingsha to a commanding mixed doubles semifinal victory over Brazil's Hugo Calderano and Bruna Takahashi, winning 11-9, 11-4, 11-6 to book a place in Friday's final.
The Olympic champions will vie for the title against South Korea's No. 1 seeds Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin, who edged past China's Wen Ruibo and Kuai Man in a five-game thriller.
Meanwhile, China's women's singles campaign continued to roll on, as Kuai delivered a statement 3-0 victory over Shin, snapping a three-match losing streak against the South Korean.
Kuai will face Hitomi Sato in the quarterfinals after the Japanese defensive specialist continued her stunning run with a 3-0 victory over compatriot Honoka Hashimoto. Sato had stunned world No. 2 Wang Manyu in the previous round.
Other Chinese players advancing to the round of 16 include Sun Yingsha, Wang Yidi, Chen Xingtong and Qin Yuxuan, all in the upper half of the women's singles draw.
In women's doubles action, an all-Chinese semifinal saw Kuai and Wang Manyu defeat Wang Yidi and Chen Yi 3-0. The pair will face Japan's Hina Hayata and Miwa Harimoto on Saturday for the title.
The tournament continues Friday with the singles round of 16, men's doubles semifinals and mixed doubles final. ■
Wang Chuqin (L) of China competes during the men's singles round of 16 match between Wang Chuqin of China and Anders Lind of Denmark at the WTT United States Smash 2026 in Ontario, California, the United States, July 2, 2026. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)
Lin Shidong of China competes during the men's singles round of 16 match between Lin Shidong of China and Alexis Lebrun of France at the WTT United States Smash 2026 in Ontario, California, the United States, July 2, 2026. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)
Wang Chuqin (L) of China competes during the men's singles round of 16 match between Wang Chuqin of China and Anders Lind of Denmark at the WTT United States Smash 2026 in Ontario, California, the United States, July 2, 2026. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)
Lin Shidong (R) of China competes during the men's singles round of 16 match between Lin Shidong of China and Alexis Lebrun of France at the WTT United States Smash 2026 in Ontario, California, the United States, July 2, 2026. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)
