Wang Chuqin leads China past South Korea 3-0 in ITTF World Team quarterfinals
Synopsis
China's defending champions avenged their group-stage stumble against South Korea with a clinical 3-0 quarterfinal sweep in London. Wang Chuqin's five-game escape against Oh Jun-sung set the tone, while Sun Yingsha's dramatic fifth-game comeback in the women's draw underscored China's championship pedigree — two teams, two semifinals, zero margin for error.
Key Takeaways
China defeated South Korea 3-0 in the men's quarterfinals of the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships on 8 May in London .
1 Wang Chuqin won a five-game thriller against Oh Jun-sung 11-9, 11-1, 8-11, 7-11, 11-7 .
Lin Shidong and Liang Jingkun secured straight-game victories to seal the men's quarterfinal win.
China's women's team also advanced to the semifinals after a 3-0 win over South Korea on 7 May .
1 Sun Yingsha survived a five-game scare against Kim Na-yeong , winning the decider 11-9 after trailing 4-1 in the fourth game.
China defeated South Korea 3-0 in the men's quarterfinals of the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals on Friday, 8 May, avenging a group stage loss at the Copper Box Arena in London. World No. 1 Wang Chuqin spearheaded the comeback, securing a hard-fought five-game victory over Oh Jun-sung to give the defending champions an early edge.
Wang's dominant performance
Wang Chuqin entered the match with a 3-1 head-to-head advantage over Oh Jun-sung, though his sole previous defeat came in the men's singles quarterfinal at the 2024 Asian Championships. The Chinese star seized control with a tightly contested first game, winning 11-9, before dominating the second 11-1 to establish a commanding position. Oh, competing in his inaugural team worlds tournament, mounted a spirited comeback, claiming the third and fourth games 11-8 and 11-7 respectively to force a decisive fifth set. Wang remained composed under pressure, clinching the decider 11-7 to move China within striking distance of the semifinals.
Lin and Liang seal the victory
China's Lin Shidong demonstrated marked improvement after inconsistent performances during the group stage, dispatching Jang Woo-jin with a commanding 11-3, 13-11, 11-8 scoreline. In the decisive third match, Liang Jingkun delivered one of his tournament-best displays, overpowering An Jae-hyun 11-7, 11-5, 15-13 to seal China's passage to the last four.
What's next for China
China will face either France or Brazil in the men's semifinals. The defending champions remain unbeaten across both team events at the championships, having also advanced to the women's semifinals after a 3-0 victory over South Korea on Thursday, 7 May.
Women's quarterfinals summary
In the women's competition, world No. 1 Sun Yingsha survived a nerve-wracking five-game encounter against Kim Na-yeong to secure China's progression. Wang Manyu gave China a commanding start, defeating Shin Yu-bin 11-1, 11-4, 11-4. Sun, after winning the opening game 11-7, dropped the next two 11-7, 11-7 and found herself trailing 4-1 in the fourth. The world champion then reeled off 10 consecutive points to level the match and force a decider. Kim mounted a late charge in the fifth, closing from 9-5 down to within one point, but Sun held firm to seal a 11-9 victory.
Other quarterfinal results
Japan swept Ukraine 3-0 in the women's quarterfinals, setting up a semifinal clash with Germany.
Point of View
Or if Germany sharpens its women's game, China's path to back-to-back titles may prove narrower than the scorelines suggest.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did China advance in the men's quarterfinals?
China defeated South Korea 3-0 on 8 May in London. Wang Chuqin won a five-game match 11-9, 11-1, 8-11, 7-11, 11-7 over Oh Jun-sung, while Lin Shidong and Liang Jingkun secured straight-game victories to seal the quarterfinal win.
Why was Wang Chuqin's victory significant?
Wang Chuqin is the world No. 1 and had a 3-1 head-to-head record against Oh Jun-sung, but the South Korean player mounted a comeback after losing the first two games, forcing a deciding fifth set. Wang's composure under pressure proved decisive.
How did Sun Yingsha perform in the women's quarterfinals?
World No. 1 Sun Yingsha survived a five-game thriller against Kim Na-yeong, winning 11-7, 8-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9. After trailing 4-1 in the fourth game, Sun reeled off 10 consecutive points to level the match and ultimately prevailed in the decider.
Who will China face in the semifinals?
China's men's team will face either France or Brazil in the semifinals. The women's team will play Germany after Japan swept Ukraine 3-0 in the other women's quarterfinal.
