WTT China Grand Slam: Wang Manyu narrowly defeated Zhang Benzhihe in women's singles and Zhou Qihao advanced

China News Service, Beijing, October 8 (Reporter Zhou Xin) The 2026 World Table Tennis League (WTT) China Grand Slam will continue in Beijing on the 8th. In the singles 1/8 finals, Chinese women's singles star Wang Manyu narrowly defeated teammate Shi Xunyao 3:2 to advance; Chinese men's singles player Zhou Qihao swept Japanese star Tomokazu Harimoto 3:0 and advanced to the quarterfinals.

In the women's singles competition, the national table tennis team ushered in multiple "derby matches" in one day. In the contest between Wang Manyu and Shi Xunyao, Shi Xunyao took the lead in entering the state and won the first victory with 11:8. Wang Manyu then overtook the score with 11:7 and 11:8. Shi Xunyao grabbed the key point in the fourth game and tied the score at 2. In the decisive game, the scores of both sides increased alternately. Wang Manyu seized the opportunity and advanced with a narrow victory of 11:7.

Chinese player Kuai Man and his teammate, chipper Zhu Sibing also fought hard for five rounds. Kuaiman took the lead twice and was equalized by Zhu Sibing twice. Finally, she was reversed by Zhu Sibing at 7:11 in the decisive game and missed the women's singles quarterfinals.

Chinese player Wang Yidi defeated teammate Chen Yi 3:1 in the women's singles 1/8 finals to advance.

In the men's singles 1/8 finals that day, the biggest surprise came from Chinese player Zhou Qihao. Facing the famous Japanese player Tomokazu Harimoto, Zhou Qihao swept his opponent 11:9, 11:8, 11:9.

Zhou Qihao said in the post-match interview that some technical and tactical adjustments were made before the game. Being able to turn around and win in the first game will have a greater impact on the direction of the entire situation later on. In the third game, the opponent made some changes and found a way to recover the score when he was falling behind.

Chinese player Wen Ruibo lost to Swedish star Moregard 2:3 and was unfortunately eliminated.

In doubles, Chinese women's doubles combinations Wang Yidi/Jiang Yiyi, Chen Yi/Li Yihui, and Wang Manyu/Kuiman advanced to the semi-finals. The Chinese pair Wen Ruibo/Yuan Lizen advanced to the men's doubles semifinals and will face the French pair Le Brun brothers. (over)