Chinese paddlers begin WTT Champions Incheon with four wins

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-02/Chinese-paddlers-begin-WTT-Champions-Incheon-with-four-wins-1CeO4xzqS3K/img/88a66a80edc94948b1318ff5988a6588/88a66a80edc94948b1318ff5988a6588.png' alt='Lin Gaoyuan of China reacts after scoring a point in the men's singles match against Jonathan Groth of Denmark at World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Incheon in Incheon, South Korea, April 1, 2025. /WTT'

World No. 9 paddler Lin Gaoyuan of China began the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Incheon with a 3-1 comeback win over Jonathan Groth of Denmark in the men’s singles first round on Tuesday in South Korea.

Having conceded the first game 7-11, Lin adjusted his style of playing. First he tied the match by taking the second game 11-6 and then came back to claim the third 12-10 despite trailing during most time of the game. The fourth one remained close but Lin outperformed Groth 11-9 to finish the job.

Lin’s compatriot Xiang Peng swept past Omar Assar of Egypt 11-6, 11-8, 16-14 to reach the round of 16 as well. Xue Fei became the only lost Chinese player on the day after he was knocked out by Lin Yun-ju of Chinese Taipei 9-11, 11-3, 13-11, 11-5.

On the women’s side, top-seed Wang Yidi of China walked over Cheng I-Ching of Chinese Taipei 11-7, 11-2, 11-5 in the first round. Qian Tianyi defeated Manika Batra of India in four games 11-2, 8-11, 11-3, 11-6 in another match.