Wang/Sun reunite for WTT

The WTT has officially announced the doubles entry list for the 2026 US Grand Slam. Olympic mixed doubles gold medalists Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha will team up again after six months. Doha world champions Wang Manyu/Kuai Man will compete in women's doubles, while Lin Shidong/Huang Youzheng and Yuan Licen/Wen Ruibo represent China in men's doubles.

The US Grand Slam runs from June 26 to July 5 at the Ontario Convention Center in Los Angeles, with a total prize pool of $1.55 million and 2000 world ranking points for champions. More significantly, with the LA Olympics just two years away, this event carries extra weight — serving as a key opportunity for China to fine-tune its Olympic lineup and evaluate young talent.

The most eye-catching entry is mixed doubles. Instead of last year's champions Lin Shidong/Kuai Man, Wang Chuqin/Sun Yingsha are back — marking their first mixed doubles appearance of the year.

Since winning Olympic gold in Paris, the pair has selectively competed in major events. Last year, they won their third straight world title in Doha and also claimed the only Grand Slam they entered — China Grand Slam on home soil. While Lin/Kuai have been the primary test for the new Olympic cycle, Wang/Sun remain the go-to duo for truly high-stakes competitions.

This will be Wang/Sun's first appearance together since last year's WTT Finals in Hong Kong, and they enter as the No. 2 seeds. They face challenges from top seeds Lim Jong-hoon/Shin Yu-bin, Brazil's Calderano/Takahashi, and Japan's Matsushima/Harimoto.

In women's doubles, world champions Wang Manyu/Kuai Man lead as the top seeds. Last year's US Grand Slam women's doubles title went to Kuai/Wang Yidi. This pairing is seen as a key step in China's LA Olympic preparations.

In men's doubles, China is going with young pairs. After a disappointing performance last year, China has fielded Lin Shidong/Huang Youzheng and Yuan Licen/Wen Ruibo. Lin/Huang, the top seeds, lost an all-Chinese quarterfinal in 2024. This year, they face even tougher competition — brothers Lebrun, Wong/Chan, Lim/Oh, and Togami/Matsushima are all eyeing the gold medal.

With men's and women's doubles added to the LA Olympics — making six gold medals in total for table tennis — China's strategy across the three doubles events will be crucial.