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Mike Chan

Reigning champions Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu of China will highlight the opening-day fixtures of the WTT Finals on Wednesday as senior international table tennis action returns to Hong Kong after a six-year absence.
Women’s world No 2 Wang Manyu will face Miwa Harimoto of Japan in the second evening match, followed by men’s world No 1 Wang Chuqin taking on Sora Matsushima in another China v Japan tie at Hong Kong Coliseum.
Wang has never lost to world No 6 Harimoto in seven meetings, including beating the Japanese in straight games at the recent International Table Tennis Federation Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu. And there was not much to suggest Wednesday’s match would be much different.
Fellow Japanese Matsushima, however, will feel better about his chances after beating world champion Wang at the Asian Team Championships in India in October when they last met, though Wang leads their overall record 3-1.

In the penultimate match of the morning session, Zhu Yuling of Macau will look to defend her unbeaten record against Chen Yi, after coming out on top in all three meetings against the 21-year-old Chinese this year, including at the United States Smash final in Las Vegas in July when the former world No 1 marked her biggest triumph to date after returning from illness.
In other matches, world No 18 Joo Cheon-hui of South Korea will face compatriot Shin Yu-bin, who is ranked six places higher, while world No 3 Chen Xintong, who finished as runner-up in Fukuoka last November, will play fellow Chinese Shi Xunyao.
Speaking of her WTT Finals debut, Joo, who was born in Shandong as Zhu Jiaxi in 2002 before acquiring Korean citizenship in 2020, admitted she still needed to bridge a technical gap with the top-ranked players.
“I did play better in the second half of the year and I dare to challenge my opponents more,” said the 23-year-old. “I think I also performed well technically and tactically in my games, leading to better results.

“In terms of breaking into the top 10, it’s firstly about having the desire to beat the top-ranked players; I still have some gaps with them technically, and I hope I can catch up with them as soon as possible.”
In the newly added mixed doubles event, all eight pairs will be playing on the first day, with Hongkongers Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kem taking on top seeds Lin Shidong and Kuai Man. Olympic champions Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, entering as a wild card pair, will play Manush Shah and Diya Chitale of India.
WTT Finals day 1 highlights
The WTT Finals get under way at Hong Kong Coliseum on Wednesday, with matches running from 10.30am to just past 9pm.
Stand-out matches
Chen Yi v Zhu Yuling (1.55pm)
Miwa Harimoto v 2-Wang Manyu (6.35pm)
1-Wang Chuqin v Sora Matsushima (7.20pm)
How to watch the WTT Finals
Tickets priced HK$320 to HK$1,780 (US$41 to US$229) are still available until Friday’s morning session on Urbtix, with Friday’s evening session, as well as all sessions on Saturday and Sunday, listed as sold out.
TVB will be showing the games live throughout the five-day tournament.


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World Table Tennis (WTT)

WTT Finals: China’s Wang Chuqin, Wang Manyu headline opening day as they defend crowns

Chinese world champion Wang Chuqin will face Japan’s Sora Matsushima, who won their last meeting in October. Photo: AFP

Japan’s Miwa Harimoto has not beaten Wang Manyu in their seven meetings. Photo: Xinhua

Doo Hoi-kem (left) and Wong Chun-ting will play China’s Lin Shidong and Kuai Man. Photo: Xinhua

WTT Finals: Hong Kong’s Wong, Doo in group of death with Wang Chuqin, Sun Yingsha

Hong Kong’s Wong Chun-ting (right) and Doo Hoi-kem have the Olympic champions and the world No 1 pair in their group. Photo: Handout

The WTT Finals draw used models of local foods siu mai and har gow. Photo: Handout

The winner of the singles events will earn US$80,000 and 1,500 ranking points. Photo Handout

Hong Kong Tennis Open: China’s Wu and Shang join Rublev, Coleman Wong in line-up

Wu Yibing celebrates winning men’s singles tennis gold at China’s National Games last month. Photo: Xinhua

Coleman Wong focuses during his National Games semi-final against Wu Yibing. Photo: Eugene Lee

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Both will face Japanese opponents in round 1 while Hongkongers Wong Chun-ting, Doo Hoi-kem open mixed doubles campaign against top seeds


Both will face Japanese opponents in round 1 while Hongkongers Wong Chun-ting, Doo Hoi-kem open mixed doubles campaign against top seeds.


WTT Finals: China’s Wang Chuqin, Wang Manyu headline opening day as they defend crowns

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Both will face Japanese opponents in round 1 while Hongkongers Wong Chun-ting, Doo Hoi-kem open mixed doubles campaign against top seeds

Both will face Japanese opponents in round 1 while Hongkongers Wong Chun-ting, Doo Hoi-kem open mixed doubles campaign against top seeds