China 3–0 Korea, semifinal bound!

On the evening of May 8, Beijing time, in the London World Table Tennis Championships men’s team quarterfinal, China defeated Korea 3–0 behind wins from Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, and Liang Jingkun. The victory not only avenged an earlier group-stage loss but also secured a semifinal berth, where China will face the winner of France vs Brazil.

In the earlier group seeding match, China had lost 1–3 to Korea, with both teams resting their top aces, Wang Chuqin and Jang Woojin. That day, Lin Shidong beat Kim Jungwon 3–0, while Liang Jingkun lost 1–3 to Oh Junsung, Zhou Qihao lost 1–3 to An Jaehyun, and Lin Shidong lost 1–3 to Oh Junsung. This time, with a semifinal spot on the line, both sides fielded their strongest lineups.

First match: China’s No.1 Wang Chuqin faced Korea’s No.2 Oh Junsung. Wang took the first two games comfortably. Although Oh fought back to win the next two and force a decider, Wang stayed composed and won 11–9, 11–1, 8–11, 7–11, 11–7, giving China a crucial opening point.

Second match: China’s No.2 Lin Shidong took on Korea’s No.1 Jang Woojin. Lin started strongly, taking the first game 11–3, edged a tight second 13–11, and closed out the third 11–8 to put China 2–0 ahead.

Third match: Liang Jingkun, who had been struggling for form, faced An Jaehyun and delivered his best performance of the tournament. He held his nerve in a tense third game to win 11–7, 11–5, 15–13, sealing China’s 3–0 victory and a place in the semifinals.

China will next face the winner of France vs Brazil.